2024 Obon Festival at ABQ BioPark Japanese Garden (Taiko, Japanese Food, Dancing, Floating Lanterns) Albuquerque Japanese Garden at the Botanic GardenNEW

Join us in the Japanese Garden for singing, dancing, drumming and delicious food at the Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden’s Obon Festival. This a family-friendly event, reminiscent of Japan’s annual Obon holiday. Obon is an important Japanese cultural and family holiday to honor the spirit of one’s ancestors. Enjoy traditions of this festival including folk dances, taiko drumming, lanterns, and food. All participants will receive a floating lantern to write on. The lanterns will be released into the pond during the evening. Food will be available for purchase.

This event at the ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque is a celebration of Japanese culture, focusing on the Obon Festival. It takes place in the Sasebo Japanese Garden and features a variety of Japanese arts, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy, taiko drumming, shamisen music, and bonsai displays. Guests can also make origami cranes and float lanterns on the garden pond in memory of loved ones.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and includes activities like crafting, educational tables, and cultural performances. Admission costs $25 for the public, with discounts for BioPark Society members. Tickets include access to the Japanese Garden and a floating lantern, with entry times at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Date
August 16, 2024

Time
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Schedule

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Craft and Education Tables (Japanese Garden Entrance)
• Katakana fans and bookmarks (Sasebo Sister Cities Foundation, APS Career Enrichment Center Japanese Language Class)
• Gardens for Peace Origami Cranes, Lantern decoration, Obon information (BioPark Education)
• Bonsai demonstration (Albuquerque Bonsai Club)

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Pull the Rake for Peace (Bell Tower)
• Gardens for Peace, BioPark Horticulture

6 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.: Calligraphy, Bonsai & Ikebana Displays (Rose Garden Atrium)

6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.: Taiko Parade (Path from Rose Garden Breezeway to Main Deck)
• Bushido Kenyukai

6:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.: Tea Ceremony (Rose Garden Atrium)
• Chado New Mexico

6:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.: Shamisen Performance (Rose Garden West Arbor)
• Masahiro Kamei

6:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Lantern Viewing (Main Deck)

7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Kana Calligraphy Talk (Rose Garden Atrium)
• Masako Akimaru

7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Taiko Drumming (Bell Tower)
• Bushido Kenyukai

7:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.: New Mexico Taiko Drummers (Main Deck)

7:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.: Tea Ceremony (Rose Garden Atrium)
• Chado New Mexico

8:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Bonsai Talk (Rose Garden Atrium)
• Albuquerque Bonsai Club

8:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Lantern Viewing (Main Deck)

Price
• $25 for the general public.
• $22.50 for New Mexico BioPark Society members.
• Children under 2 are free.

Timed entry at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Tickets

This schedule includes all the activities and performances happening during the event, ensuring attendees can plan their experience accordingly.

Location
Botanic Garden - ABQ BioPark, 2601 Central Ave. N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104