2025 Annual Oakland Obon Festival (Food Bazaar, Ikebana, Tea Ceremony, Koto Performance, Bon Odori, etc.) BCO Buddhist Church of OaklandNEW

The Buddhist Church of Oakland will hold its Annual Obon Festival on Saturday on the Church grounds.  This event features cultural displays and demonstrations, including Tea Ceremony, Koto performance, Taiko Drum performance, Flower Arranging display, along with live musical performances, climaxing with Japanese dancing on Jackson Street, for which the public is invited to participate!

There will also be a variety of Japanese foods available.

Obon Festival Date
August 2, 2025, Saturday

Obon Festival Time
1:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

Bon Odori Dancing 
5:00 pm 

Parking
Parking is limited, and attendees are encouraged to use public transportation or a rideshare service.  

BCO Obon Weekend Schedule
Saturday/Sunday, August 2 & 3, 2025
Food & Activities â€" Sat Aug 2nd â€" 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Odori Dance & Spectator â€" Sat Aug 2nd â€" 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Hatsubon Service â€" Sun Aug 3rd â€" 9:30 am (Hatsubon Explanation) â€" (Hatsubon Families only)
Obon Service â€" Sun Aug 3rd â€" 10:30 am

OBON ODORI DANCE PROGRAM
Musical accompaniment: San Jose Chidori Band
Master of Ceremonies: Gary Tominaga
The public is invited to join in the dancing!

Obon no Uta (uchiwa â€" round fan)
Lantern Song (hands)
(Performed by Bombu Stories)
Kawachi Otoko Bushi (sensu â€" folding fan)
Hanabi Ondo (hands)
Zenkokugochonai Ondo (uchiwa â€" round fan)
Shiawase Samba (hands)
Led by BCO Jr. Young Buddhist Association (Jr. YBA)
Ichi Tasu Ichi No Ondo (kachi kachi)
Sakura Ondo (towel)
Tanko Bushi (Hands)
Obon no Uta (Uchiwa â€" round fan)

Obon Dance Practices
Obon dance practices will be held in July
Bon Odori Dance Times: 7:30 pm - 9 pm
Location: Church Social Hall (825 Jackson St, Oakland)
All practices are open to the public - no admission fee.

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Oakland has 2 Major Festivals

1) Annual Bazaar & Food Festival (1 Day) in June
Buddhist Church of Oakland  Bazaar & Food Festival (2 Days) Sake, Sushi & Udon, Teriyaki Chicken & Steak, Games, Silent Auction, Bingo, Raffle

2) Obon Festival (1 Day) in August
Buddhist Church of Oakland Obon Festival (Food Bazaar, Ikebana, tea Ceremony, Koto Performance, Bon Odori, etc.)


Oakland Bazaar & Obon, Practice  


Obon Festival Title
Buddhist Church of Oakland Obon Festival (Food Bazaar, Ikebana, tea Ceremony, Koto Performance, Bon Odori, etc.)

Obon Festival Location
Oakland - Buddhist Church of Oakland, 825 Jackson St., Oakland, CA 94607
• One block from the Lake Merritt BART station.