INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE: 2024 Obon Festival cancelled and Aug. 10 Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony postponed. Please keep reading for more information.

We regret to inform you that due to the forecasted inclement weather this weekend, the 2024 Philadelphia Obon Festival has been cancelled.

The Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony for Aug. 10 has been postponed to Aug. 11.

The Aug. 17 ceremony will take place as scheduled but is subject to postponement depending on the weather.

For questions, concerns, or to reschedule your Aug. 10 lantern floating ticket for Aug. 17, please email us at info@japanphilly.org.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

Please stay tuned on our website and social media for further updates.

Obon is a Japanese celebration of one’s ancestors. Each August, people return to their hometowns to remember the dead and reunite with loved ones. Obon is celebrated with regional dances called bon odori along with other cultural activities.

The Philadelphia Obon Festival includes bon odori folk dances with Seabrook Minyo Dance Group, and taiko drumming performances by KyoDaiko, Hoh Daiko (Seabrook Buddhist Temple) and Casual Fifth. Attendees can also enjoy arts and crafts, a yukata dressing station, and a small selection of food and merchandise vendors.

ADMISSION:

The event will take place outside of Shofuso at Lansdowne Dr & Horticultural Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131, and is free and open to the public. Please note that regular admission is required to visit Shofuso, and a separate ticket is required to participate in the Obon Lantern Ceremony and can be found here..

August 11th Lantern Floating Ceremony>>

August 17th Lantern Floating Ceremony>>

SCHEDULE:

3PM – KyoDaiko
3:30PM – Dance Session
4PM – Hoh Daiko
4:30PM – Dance Session
5PM – Casual Fifth
5:45 – Dance Session

In the event of inclement weather, the Obon Festival will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 11.

This event is sponsored by: