2023 Monterey Peninsula Buddhist 75th Annual Temple Obon Festival (Bon Odori, Japanese Food, Entertainment, Ikebana Exhibits, Games, Crafts..) SundayNEW

The Buddhist Temple of the Monterey Peninsula hosts the annual Obon Festival Event. Featured at the Festival are Japanese foods, entertainment, ikebana and bonsai exhibits, games for children, and Japanese goods and crafts for sale. Food choices include tempura prepared by chefs from local Japanese restaurants, sushi, beef teriyaki, chicken teriyaki, udon, and gyoza. Day-long entertainment features martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremony, and Taiko drumming.

Later in the afternoon, the colorful Obon Odori, or community Japanese folk dancing, takes place. The day wraps up with the grand prize raffle drawing. The Obon Festival is a free event, donations accepted. Parking is available across the street from the Temple.

Background of Obon Festival Event
The Obon festival is a Buddhist tradition to celebrate, remember and express gratitude to all family members who have died. The Obon festival has been celebrated in Japan since 657 AD. The first Obon in the United States was held in Hawaii in 1910; festivals on the mainland began about 20 years later.

The first Monterey Obon Festival was held on August 25, 1947 at the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Hall in Monterey, home to the Temple then. In 1963, the event was moved to the Monterey County Fairgrounds where it was held for 30 years. The Obon Festival returned to the Temple, now in Seaside, in 1993. 3,000 to 5,000 people from across the Monterey Peninsula and beyond attend each year.

Want to Volunteer for the Obon Festival
Contact Kristen Yamamoto at [email protected] or call (831) 951-7534.

Scheduled
Shinsho Mugen Daiko of Monterey (Taiko) will perform during the opening ceremonies at noon and at 3:00 pm.

Obon Festival Event Date
July 9, 2023 - Sunday Only

Obon Festival Event Time
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Taiko Performance
3:00 - 3:30 pm

Bon Odori Dance Time
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Start of dance

Event Parking
Across the street from the Temple

Obon Dance Practice Dates
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at the Temple Social Hall
Bon odori practices will be Tuesdays and Thursdays in June, starting June 6. 

Monterey Obon & Practices Dates 

Obon Festivals & Practices 

All Obon Festivals  All Obon Practices Map

Japanese Event Festivals  

All Japanese Festivals Map

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



Obon Festival Event Location
Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside, CA 93955

Obon Festival Event Title
Monterey Peninsula Buddhist 73rd Annual Temple Obon Festival Event (Sunday) Bon Odori, Japanese Food, Entertainment, Ikebana Exhibits, Games, Crafts..