2023 Annual Cortez Obon Summer Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Taiko) Celebrating 100 years of Cortez Buddhist ChurchNEW

The Annual Cortez Obon Festival will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 starting at 6:45 PM, in the parking lot between Cortez Hall and Cortez Buddhist Church on Cortez Avenue, between Santa Fe Drive and Linwood Avenue, southeast of Turlock. We are celebrating 100 years of Cortez Buddhist Church.

The Obon Festival is held in many communities in Japan as well as in Japanese American communities around the United States. The origins of Obon are from the Buddhist legend of Mogallana, one of the Buddha’s disciples, rejoicing when his mother’s soul was redeemed from the realm of hungry ghosts. Most people of Japanese ancestry celebrate Obon as a homecoming: a time to visit one’s hometown and give homage to ancestors. For many Buddhist churches and temples in America, this festival offers a time to hold major fundraisers in the form of bazaars with ethnic food, games, cultural displays, and, of course, Obon dancing. However, in the humble rural community of Cortez, we simply celebrate with joyous dancing.

Obon dancing is, traditionally, very simple. Most dances are set to Japanese folk songs, both old and new, with repetitive steps that can be learned quickly. Many children dress in traditional summer wear called yukata, while adults choose to wear happi coats over their street clothes. Obon festivals are very casual affairs and are meant for people to act spontaneously. Those in the audience are encouraged to participate.

In its annual appearance at Cortez Obon, Ballico Taiko, a drum group from Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District, will start the celebration at 6:45 PM. Dancing will start around 7:00 PM. During intermission, enjoy another taiko performance by Stockton Bukkyo Taiko while you are treated to refreshments.

If you would like a preview of the dancing or would like to learn the dances, practices will be held at the Cortez Hall, 12985 North Cortez Avenue (corner of Linwood and Cortez Avenues off of Santa Fe Drive), from Tuesday, June 27 through Friday, June 30, from 7 PM to 8 PM.

For more information, call Chris Kubo at (209) 535-6523 or send an email to [email protected].

Come and join us.  Everyone is welcome.

Bon Odori Date
July 1, 2023, Saturday

Bon Odori Time
6:45 pm

Dance Practices
Preview of the dancing or would like to learn the dances.
Dates: Tuesday, June 27 through Friday, June 30, from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Location of Practices
Cortez Hall, 12985 North Cortez Avenue (corner of Linwood and Cortez Avenues off of Santa Fe Drive)

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(PREVIOUS YEAR)

Dinner
Pre-festivities meal will be served from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Festival Schedule
Live Taiko
Bon Odori Dancing
Ballico Taiko
Stockton Bukkyo Taiko
Cortez Karaoke Singers & Dancing

Support This Fundraisor
Remember to come out and support this festival.

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Dance Practice: July 1, 2, 3, 5 - 2019
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Inside Hall

Click link below for Bon Odori practices. 


Cortez Obon & Practice Dates 

Obon Festivals & Practices 

Obon Festivals  Obon Practices Map

See Japanese Event Festivals  

Japanese Festivals Events Map

Celebrate the Japanese Culture food, performances and dancing.
(Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change)



Obon Festival Location
Cortez Buddhist Temple, 12985 Cortez Ave., Turlock, CA 95380

Obon Festival Title
Cortez Obon Summer Festival (Ballico Taiko, Stockton Bukkyo Taiko, Cortez Karaoke Singers & Dancing)