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Also known as the Kurashiki Wisteria Story (くらしき藤物語), the festival takes place in the Bikan Historic District. The event features amazake drinking, traditional music performances, and singing. However the highlight of the event is watching the "wisteria maiden", a young bride-to-be, ride on a boat down the canal. As for the wisteria, it is rather secondary to the rest of the festivities, but there is a small wisteria trellis and some wisteria-themed decorations at Achi Shrine.
大原美術館 Ōhara bijutsukan
The first museum of Western art in Japan,it houses a deservedly renowned collection of classic European and American art, including major works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, and many others. There's another building for exhibitions by modern Japanese artists, which tend to be very good. Set aside some time to wander the grounds as well, with Rodin statues out front, a small sculpture garden out back, and neoclassical columns beatifically out of character with the rest of the area.
児島虎次郎記念館
Dedicated to the work of the Japanese artist who directed the acquisition of most of the Ohara Museum's collection.
倉敷考古館
Housed in a particularly lovely old rice warehouse, this museum has Japanese, Chinese, and even Incan artifacts on display.
日本郷土玩具館
A collection of over 40,000 toys, although only 5,000 or so are generally on display. Most are show-pieces (and occasionally eerie ones at that), but there are some that kids can play with hands-on.
倉敷民藝館
Hosts excellent seasonal and permanent exhibitions of Japanese folk crafts. Even if you're not captivated by the subject matter, the space in which it's housed — three vintage structures connected by narrow corridors and old stairwells — is worth checking out.
星野仙一記念館 Hoshino sen'ichi kinenkan
Kurashiki native Sen'ichi Hoshino (1947-2018) was a long-time pitcher and manager for the Chunichi Dragons of Japanese pro baseball noted for his open hatred of the Yomiuri Giants; later led the Hanshin Tigers and Rakuten Golden Eagles. This museum collects some of his memorabilia and career highlights.