Though the style of Shimotsuki kagura varies from one region or shrine to another, it is basically conducted in the following order: prior to the ceremony, water drawn from a specific river or waterfall is boiled in a large pot and offered before the gods; after the yudate prayer, participants are splashed with hot water purify them; the kagura then begins with the reading of a list of invited deities; before midnight, the unmasked Torimonomai (dance of symbolic offerings) is performed; prayers are offered in praise of the deities; the invited gods are seen off at midnight; a naorai (feast) is held; after midnight is the Kamiasobi (kagura), with the dancers wearing Oni (demon) or Okina (old man) masks; a blessing ceremony is held.
霜月神楽の方法はそれぞれの地域・神社によって差異はあるものの基本的には儀式に先立って特定の川や滝から汲んだ水を釜で沸かした湯を神前に供えて、祈祷の湯立を行った後に参加者に振り掛けることで祓禊となし、招待神の名前が書かれた神名帳を読上げるところから始まり、前夜の素面による採物舞の神招き、神讃めの願上、夜半の招待神の神送り、直会（なおらい）、後夜の鬼や翁などの面形舞の神遊び、祝福の式の順序で行われる。