The dojo year is jam-packed with special events, seminars, and much more.
Events 2026
This is the official Goju Karate 2026 Events Calendar.
This Calendar evolves over the year – we update this page constantly with any new information, so be sure to check back often!
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Visit the Dojo Calendar Archive
Interested in calendars from previous years? Visit the Dojo Calendar Archive and see calendars from 2011 to 2025 and watch the growth and evolution of our dojo.
January 2026
The dojo year starts: Kagami Biraki
Kagami Biraki :: SATURDAY January 10
Dojo opens at 10:30AM. Kagami Biraki begins at 11AM THIS EVENT IS FOR BOTH ADULTS AND ALL KIDS. Read more.
February 2026
Rank Testing and Presidents Day Holiday
Advanced Brownbelt (1st Kyu) Review Class :: SATURDAY February 7
Regular Saturday Schedule (all Mentor, Kids, and Adult Classes will be held at their regularly-scheduled times). A special review class for Adult and Teen 1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belt students. Blackbelts are invited to participate as well. Presented at the NYC Dojo and via Livestream. 12:30PM to 1:30PM ET.
Presidents Day Holiday :: SATURDAY February 14 - SATURDAY February 21
Dojo closed for the Presidents Day Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, February 23
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY February 28
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for Junior, Youth, and Teen Divisions. Testing begins at 1:30PM for all Adults.
March 2026
The annual Women's Self-Defense Seminar
Women's Self-Defense Seminar 2026 :: SATURDAY March 21
A special annual Seminar for Women that covers basic Self Defense. All women and teen girl Goju Students are invited to participate. Noon to 3PM ET.
April 2026
1st Kyu Brown Belt Review, Easter, and April Rank Testing
Easter Holiday :: FRIDAY April 3 - TUESDAY April 7
Dojo closed for the Easter Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Wednesday, April 8.
Advanced Brownbelt (1st Kyu) YOUTH Review Class :: SATURDAY April 11
Regular Saturday Schedule (all Mentor, Kids, and Adult Classes will be held at their regularly-scheduled times). A special review class for YOUTH 1st Kyu students, led by Sensei and assisted by Adult and Teen 1st Kyu Advanced Brown Belt students. Blackbelts are invited to participate as well. Presented at the NYC Dojo only (no Livestream). 12:30PM to 1:30PM ET.
Advanced Brownbelt (1st Kyu) ADULTS+TEENS Review Class :: SATURDAY April 18
Regular Saturday Schedule (all Mentor, Kids, and Adult Classes will be held at their regularly-scheduled times). A special review class for Adult and Teen 1st Kyu students, led by Sensei and assisted by blackbelts. All Blackbelts are invited to participate as well. Presented at the NYC Dojo and via Livestream. 12:30PM to 1:30PM ET.
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY April 25
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for Junior, Youth, and Teen Divisions. Testing begins at 1:30PM for all Adults.
May 2026
Spring Break [Golden Week], Blackbelt Selection Begins, and Memorial Day
Spring Break/GOLDEN WEEK Holiday :: SATURDAY May 2- SATURDAY May 9
Dojo closed for Golden Week, the traditional Spring Break Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, May 11th. Read more about Golden Week.
Blackbelt Selection Begins :: WEDNESDAY May 13
Invitations issued to Adults and Teen candidates to join Blackbelt Selection will be made. Read about last year's Selection process.
Memorial Day Holiday :: FRIDAY May 22 - TUESDAY May 26
Dojo closed for the Memorial Day Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Wednesday, May 27.
Blackbelt Selection Final Acceptance Due :: FRIDAY May 29
Invitations must be accepted formally by this date. Read about last year's Selection process.
June 2026
Blackbelt Selection, Seminars, and Rank Testing
Blackbelt Selection: Selection Candidates Meet with Sensei :: FRIDAY June 5
Selection candidates meet with Sensei at 5PM at the NYC dojo. Formal Blackbelt Selection begins. Read about last year's Selection process.
Tameshiwari [Breaking] Seminar :: SATURDAY June 13
Goju Karate hosts the annual Tameshiwari Seminar as part of the NYC Karatedō International Championships seminar series. Begins at 11AM. Read about last year's seminar.
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY June 20
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for Junior, Youth, and Teen Divisions. Testing begins at 1PM for all Adults.
Blackbelt Selection: Written Test [1 of 4] :: SATURDAY June 20
Selection candidates participate in the first of four events in Selection -- the written test. Candidates should be at the dojo at 11AM. Read about last year's Selection process.
July 2026
Independence Day Holiday and Blackbelt Selection
Independence Day Holiday :: FRIDAY July 3 - Tuesday July 7
Dojo closed for the Independence Day Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Wednesday, July 8.
Blackbelt Selection: Kihon Test [2 of 4] :: SATURDAY July 18
Selection candidates participate in the second of four events in Selection. Candidates should be at the dojo at 11AM. Read about last year's Selection process.
August 2026
Rank Testing, Gasshuku, and more.
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY August 20
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for all Adults. No kids testing on this date.
Blackbelt Selection: Kata Test [3 of 4] :: SATURDAY August 22
Selection candidates participate in the third of four events in Selection. Candidates should be at the dojo at 11AM. Read about last year's Selection process.
Gasshuku :: Tuesday August 26 - Saturday August 29
Dojo closed for the traditional Gasshuku summer holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, August 31.
September 2026
Labor Day Holiday, Blackbelt Selection, Blackbelt Week, and much more.
Labor Day Holiday :: FRIDAY September 4 - TUESDAY September 8
Dojo closed for the Labor Day Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Wednesday, September 9.
Blackbelt Selection: Tohkon Test [4 of 4] :: SATURDAY September 19
Selection candidates participate in the last event in Selection. Candidates should be at the dojo at 11AM. Read about last year's Selection process.
Blackbelt Dinner:: SATURDAY September 19
The most exclusive dinner in New York City: The Annual Goju Karate Blackbelt Dinner. Blackbelts only, of course. Read about last year's dinner.
Blackbelt Week [All Students] :: SATURDAY September 19 - SATURDAY September 26
An entire week of special events including seminars, special classes, the end of Blackbelt Selection, and much more. Most events are open to all ranks, including kids (where appropriate). Read about last year's blackbelt week here.
Otsukimi — Autumn Moon Festival :: FRIDAY September 25
Regular class schedule. Mooncakes and treats at the dojo all day before and after classes! Read about last year's Otsukimi here.
October 2026
The NYC Karatedō International Championships, Columbus Day, Rank Testing, and more.
Columbus Day Holiday :: MONDAY October 12
Dojo closed for the Columbus Day Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Tuesday, October 13th.
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY October 17
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for Junior, Youth, and Teen Divisions. Testing begins at 1PM for all Adults.
NYC Karatedō International Championship :: SATURDAY October 24
Dojo closed to host Day One of the 2026 NYC Karatedō International Championship. Events on this day: Tameshiwari (Adults, Teens, Mentor); Kata (Adults); Karatedō (Adults); and Kumite (Adults).
NYC Karatedō International Championship :: SUNDAY October 25
Dojo closed to host Day Two of the 2025 NYC Karatedō International Championship. Events on this day: Kata (Juniors, Youth, Teen, Mentor); Karatedō (Youth, Teens); and Kumite (Youth, Teens).
Dojo Closed for Tournament Cleanup :: MONDAY October 26
Dojo closed to allow for maintenance and cleanup from the two-day NYC Karatedō International Championship tournament.
Halloween @ the Dojo :: FRIDAY October 30
Kids train in Costume! Sorry Adults, this is only for Kids ;)
Regular Class Schedule observed with some Adult Division modifications.
November 2026
Thanksgiving and more.
Thanksgiving Holiday :: TUESDAY November 24- SATURDAY November 29
Dojo closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, November 30.
December 2026
Rank Testing, Christmas Holidays, and more.
Rank Testing :: SATURDAY December 12
Dojo opens at 11AM. Testing begins at 11:30AM for Junior, Youth, and Teen Divisions. Testing begins at 1PM for all Adults.
Holiday Party :: SATURDAY December 12
Dojo opens at 11AM. Feast all day! Our annual Goju Karate Holiday Party offers treats and fun as December rank testing continues throughout the day.
Christmas Holiday :: WEDNESDAY December 16 - SATURDAY January 2, 2027
Dojo closed for the Christmas Holiday. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, January 4, 2027.