2023 - 25th Annual Bon Dance Japanese Summer Culture Festival of Greenville - A Celebration of Japanese Culture (Bon Odori, Performances, Demos..)NEW

The 25th Annual Bon Dance Festival will be August 26, 2023 in Greenville SC! This event is hosted by Japan Affairs, the Japan-America Association of South Carolina and its member organizations, and comes together with help of many individuals, local organizations, businesses and volunteers. #obonsc #jaasc

This festival is a fundraise for our programs and schools so we will be collecting donations in addition to ticket funds.

Festival Date
August 26, 2023, Saturday

Festival Time
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm


Scheduled
- FREE Admission and demonstrations
- Buy tickets for food, games, and prizes
- Doors will open early at 12:00 PM for food and ticket sales
- Enjoy our festival in comfortable air conditioning and protection from the weather.

11:30 am Gate Open
12:30 pm Taiko performance by Ronin Taiko
1:00 pm Bon Dance by Midorino Kai
1:15 pm Perfume dance by HANAMIZUKI
1:25 pm Kyudo demonstration by SC Kyudo Renmei
1:40 pm The tea ceremony by WNCJCC
2:10 pm Conferment ceremony by Japanese Government
2:30 pm Bon Dance by Midorino Kai
2:45 pm Perfume dance by HANAMIZUKI
2:55 pm Taiko performance by Ronin Taiko
3:25 pm Kendo demonstration by Greenville Kendo Club
3:55 pm Sanshin performance by GACHIMAYA
4:30 pm Festival End

Featured Prformances and Demonstrations
(Will be finalized at a later date but could include)

- Taiko Drumming with Ronin Taiko / Taiko Academy
- Kyudo Archery with South Carolina Kyudo Renmei
- Kendo with Greenville Kendo Club
- Ki Aikido with SC Easter Ki Federation
- Ikebana flower arranging
- Japanese tea ceremony
- Hula Dancing
- Bon Dances (3 types)

This year we have a very special award ceremony as well! Our Co-Founder - Mr. Henry Buzz Burwell will be receiving the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan for his service to our mission and the friendship between Japan and the US over the year.

** Everyone is welcome. ** jaasc.org/bon-dance/

The organizers of this event are dedicated to the purpose of fostering and promoting positive relationships among the peoples of the United States and Japan through meaningful educational, social and cultural exchanges. Learn more about JAASC at jaasc.org. See less

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(PREVIOUS YEAR)

Since 1995, South Carolina residents have enjoyed Bon Dance Festival, an annual celebration of Japanese culture in the form of a late summer festival during the Japanese holiday Obon.

Bon Dance Festival 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019

Festival Time
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm

(Doors open early for setup and food sales)

RSVP and invite friends to Facebook event.

Location
McAlister Square, 225 S Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

Festival Description

The Greenville Bon Dance Festival includes Bon Odori (the Bon Dance, see a demonstration from 2018) with participants in colorful kimono, yukata and happi coats, as well as delicious food from numerous participating Upstate vendors.

South Carolina Kyudo Renmei gives a longbow archery demonstration at Bon Dance Greenville.
South Carolina Kyudo Renmei gives a Japanese longbow archery demonstration at Bon Dance Greenville.

This event is family-friendly, and is currently held indoors in comfortable air conditioning, regardless of weather conditions.

There are Japanese crafts, games, prizes, Taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations including kyudo archery and kendo, and traditional Japanese arts including calligraphy, the Japanese Tea Ceremony, and origami.

Admission and participation in many activities are free. Tickets can be purchased for food, raffles, and participation in games. If you’d like food, we recommend you arrive early - it goes fast!

2019 Japanese Festival Schedule
11:30am Gate Open
12:30pm Taiko drumming by Ronin Taiko
1:00pm Bon Dance led by Midori no Kai
1:15pm Hula Dance by Hokukea
1:30pm Kyudo archery by SC Kyudo Renmei
1:45pm Tea Ceremony by WNC Japanese Culture Center
2:15pm Bon Dance led by Midori no Kai
2:30pm Hula Dance by Hokukea
2:45pm Taiko drumming by Ronin Taiko
3:15pm Kendo demonstration by Greenville Kendo Club
3:45pm Sanshin musical performance by Gachimaya
4:15pm Bon Dance led by Midori no Kai
4:30pm Festival End

Everyone is invited to join in bon odori, the Bon Dance, led by Midori no Kai.
Everyone is invited to join in bon odori, the Bon Dance, led by Midori no Kai.

Everyone is welcome. This event is hosted by the Japan-America Association of South Carolina (JAASC), and comes together with help of numerous local and regional organizations, individuals, businesses and volunteers dedicated to the purpose.

The organizers of this event are dedicated to the purpose of fostering and promoting positive relationships among the peoples of the United States and Japan through meaningful educational, social and cultural exchanges.


McAlister Square Greenville Obon & Practice Dates

Obon Festivals & Practices

All Obon Festivals  All Obon Practices

See Japanese Festivals 

All Japanese Festivals Map

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

Festival Title
Bon Dance Japanese Summer Culture Festival of Greenville (Annual Celebration of Japanese Culture)

Location
McAlister Square, 225 S Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607