2023 - The 11th Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori, Taiko, Launch Floating Lanterns on Shofuso’s Pond to Honor Loved Ones) NEW

Shofuso celebrates the Obon Festival with bon odori folk dances by 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, as well as a vendor market. The event will take place outside of Shofuso and is free and open to the public.

Philadelphia Obon Festival
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 dances and other cultural celebrations.

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, as well as a vendor market. The event will take place outside of Shofuso and is free and open to the public. Regular admission is required to visit Shofuso, and a separate ticket is required to participate in the Obon Lantern Lighting Ceremony.

In the event of inclement weather, Obon will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 13.

Obon Festival Date
August 12, 2023, Saturday

Event Times (If it Rains, date August 13) 
3 pm - 7 pm: Bon Odori dancing, Live Taiko, Arts & Crafts, Yukata stations, Vendor Market
7 pm - 9 pm: Obon Lanterm LightingCeremony (below)

2023 Obon Lantern Lighting Ceremony

Lantern Ceremony - Mukaebi
Date: Saturday, August 12 (Rain date: Sunday, August 13)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
$30 Participant (with Lantern)
$29 Observer (Without Lantern)
Members must sign in to get $10 off at checkout.

Get Tickets

Lantern Ceremony - Okuribi
Date: Saturday, August 19 (Rain date: Sunday, August 19)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
$30 Participant (with Lantern)
$20 Observer (Without Lantern)
Members must sign in to get $10 off at checkout.

Get Tickets 


Obon is a series of Summer events in Japan based on Buddhist and ancestral worship that enshrine and celebrate the spirits of ancestors. Typically, people return to their hometowns to celebrate Obon each year. Families gather, clean their graveyard and the shrine in their house, and light lanterns to welcome the spirits home. After the spirits spend a few days with family, the Bon-Odori dancers form a circle under the lanterns to guide the spirits back to the otherworld.

The Philadelphia Obon Festival continues a new Shofuso tradition, to light lanterns and float them on Shofuso’s pond. This night of remembrance and commemoration is dedicated to those no longer with us. Each registered participant will be able to choose if they would like to launch floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond or simply observe the serenity of the experience.

Event Location
Shofuso, Lansdowne Dr & Horticultural Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 215-878-5097

Event Tittle
The Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival (Launch Floating Lanterns on Shofuso’s Pond to Honor Loved Ones)

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Philadelphia Obon Festival Date
August 24, 2019 - Obon Celebration

If the weather doesn’t permit it will be moved to August 25, 2019

Philadelphia Obon Festival Time
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Philadelphia Shofuso Obon Festival Dates
All Philadelphia Shofuso Obon Festival Dates

Obon Festivals & Practices
All Obon Festivals  All Obon Practices

See Japanese Event Festivals 
All Japanese Festivals Events

Map of Japanese Festivals 
See Map Japanese Festivals

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

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Philadelphia Obon Location
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Lansdowne Dr and Horticultural Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19131

Philadelphia Obon Title
Shofuso will Host Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival Event - Taiko, Tea Ceremony, Games, Crafts, Dance

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Philadelphia Obon Sponsor
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia