2024 San Luis Obispo Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Live Taiko, Beef & Chicken Teriyaki, Sushi..) Saturday (SLO) NEW

San Luis Obispo (SLO) Buddhist Church Obon Festival Event.  Obon is an Annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors.  The Obon Festival can be traced to a Buddhist sutra that tells the story of Mogallana, a disciple of Budda who, in meditation, saw his deceased mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. He tried giving her food but it turned into flames. Buddha advised him to engage in a "jishi", or retreat, and make an offering for his fellow monks. This done, he saw his mother released from suffering and he danced for joy. Varying interpretations evolved over the years, including the belief that spirits of ancestors actually revisit this world. Pine torches are attached to bamboo to welcome spirits to the family home, and on the final day of the observance, spirits are said to return to the nether world, guided by candle-lit lanterns that are set adrift on water.

Obon Festival Event Date
August 3, 2024, Saturday

Obon Event Time 
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Festival Event Schedule
1:30 pm: Taiko Performance
3:00 pm: Bon Odori (Japanese Folk Dance)

All dancing will be held outdoors

Ticket Cost
Free Admission

San Luis Obon & Practices 


Bon Odori Dance Practice
Thursdays: July 11, 18, 25 - 2024 - Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday: July 27 - Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Classes open to public, no experience necessary.


Event Location
San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple, 6996 Ontario Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Event Title 
San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church (SLO) Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori Dance, Live Taiko, Limited Food)