2023 Obon Weekend at Morikami (Stroll the Gardens, Fill Out Tanzaku Slips, Launch a Lantern, Memory of Lost Loved Ones, Live Taiko..) 2 Days NEW

Morikami Obon Weekend 
We invite guests to take a contemplative stroll through the gardens, fill out tanzaku slips in memory of lost loved ones, enjoy live taiko drumming performances in the spirit of Obon, and pay their respects to George Morikami at the Bon altar.

Obon is a Japanese Buddhist holiday that honors the spirits of the ancestors.  It is celebrated during July and August around the 13th to the 15th of either month, depending on the lunar calendar.  Obon is a time to return home, visit family gravsites, enjoy dances, tell stories, and decorate familit altars.  Many communities will host locat festivals filled with people wearing yukata, playing games, eating food, and enjoying performances. 

The tributes held at Obon have two significances. One is to honor Budda and show respect for one's ancestors and others who have passed on.  The other is to express gratitude to all people to whom we are indebted, including people whoe are alive such as parents, relatives, and friends. 

Obon Festival Dates
August 12-13, 2023

Taiko Drumming Performances
Experience an electrifying fusion of tradition and innovation as Fushu Daiko brings the thunderous heartbeat of Japan to life with a dazzling Taiko drumming performance.

Date: August 12-13, 2023
Cost: $5 for Members | $10 for Non-Members

Time of Shows each day
11:30am - 12:00pm
12:30pm - 01:00pm
02:30pm - 03:00pm
03:30pm - 04:00pm

Location: Morikami Theater
Online Pre-Sales will close Friday, August 11th at 1 pm. All remaining tickets will be available at the theater doors on the day of the show.

(Reminder: This ticket does not include admission to the museum. Admissions information: Hours & Admission)

Buy Taiko Tickets

Launch the Lantern Dinner
Join us for this special dinner event, followed by the floating of your personalized lantern on the lake, as we celebrate Obon.

This evening we will be floating your personal lanterns on the lake along with a large lantern filled with paper slips, carrying written messages to lost loved ones that were collected throughout the day from those who visited and celebrated Obon at the Morikami.

Date: Sunday, August 13th, 2023
Cost: $200 per person

Schedule of Events
06:30-7:30: hors d’oeuvres, sake tasting, and decorating lanterns
07:30-7:50: Taiko Performance in the theater
08:00: Dinner
09:15: Floating of the lanterns
10:00: Event ends

Launch Lanterns Tickets



Tanzaku Slips
Fill out tanzaku slips in memory of your lost loved ones.

Bon Altar
During Obon, families decorate the altar with certain offerings of incense, flowers, or fruits.

Our Bon altar will be displayed in our Kamiya Room, adjacent to the Membership desk, for you to view during your visit.

Hours & Admission

What is Obon?
During Obon, Japanese families welcome into their homes the spirits of their ancestors for a brief visit with the living. On the last night of Obon, these ancestors are believed to depart back to the otherworld, their journey illuminated by farewell fires. In many communities, these guiding lights take the form of simple paper lanterns floating on the water. In Japan, families who have lost loved ones in the past year float elaborately decorated boats to transport these spirits to the otherworld.


Obon Location
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446

Obon Festival Tiitle
2023 Obon Weekend at Morikami (Stroll the Gardens, Fill Out Tanzaku Slips (Memory of lLst Loved Ones) Live Taiko in the Spirit of Obon (2 Days)