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Tanabata
People write wishes on paper strips and hang them on bamboo, for the two star lovers who meet once a year.
When is Tanabata in 2027?
Tanabata 2027 is on Wednesday, 7 July 2027. Other years: 2026, Tuesday, 7 July 2026; 2028, Friday, 7 July 2028.
About Tanabata
Tanabata on 7 July recalls the legend of Orihime, a weaver, and Hikoboshi, a cowherd, who are stars on opposite sides of the Milky Way and may meet only on this night, if the sky is clear. People write wishes on tanzaku, small coloured strips of paper, and tie them to bamboo branches, along with paper ornaments. The branches are displayed outside houses and in shopping arcades, and are floated or burned the next day. Big celebrations include Sendai's Tanabata in August, with its tall streamers, and the Shonan Hiratsuka festival. Somen noodles, which resemble the threads of the weaver, are traditionally eaten. In some regions the festival is on the old calendar date in August.
Tanabata dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Tanabata date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, 7 July 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 7 July 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, 7 July 2028 |
What is eaten
- somen
- cold noodles
Traditions of Tanabata
Also part of it, and being written: Orihime and Hikoboshi (The star lovers.), Sendai Tanabata (The large August festival.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Tanabata" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Qixi Festival: shizhao ( talk )ζζοΌη»θ δΈζ, Public domain, source