2024: The 12th Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival Event (Bon Odori, Taiko, Launch Floating Lanterns on Shofuso’s Pond to Honor Loved Ones) NEW

The 2024 Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony, organized by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, has undergone some changes due to inclement weather. The ceremony originally scheduled for August 10 has been postponed to August 11, while the August 17 ceremony remains on the schedule but is subject to potential postponement depending on the weather. Unfortunately, the 2024 Philadelphia Obon Festival has been fully cancelled. Despite these changes, participants can still honor loved ones by floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond on the rescheduled dates. Those who had tickets for August 10 can reschedule for the August 17 ceremony by contacting the organizers.

Here's a summary of the current status of the 2024 Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony and related events organized by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia:

Cancelled Events
• 2024 Philadelphia Obon Festival: This festival has been fully cancelled and will not take place this year.

Postponed Events
• Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony on August 10: This event has been postponed due to inclement weather and will now take place on August 11.

Still Scheduled (Subject to Weather Conditions)
• Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony on August 17: This ceremony is still scheduled to take place as planned.
However, it may also be postponed depending on weather conditions closer to the date.

Important Information
• If you had a ticket for the August 10 lantern floating, you can reschedule it for the
August 17 ceremony by emailing [email protected].

• The August 11 ceremony will begin at 7:30 PM at the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, featuring the lantern floating, food, drinks, and a musical performance.

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia advises participants to stay tuned to their website and social media for any further updates, especially regarding weather-related postponements.

Philadelphia Shofuso Obon Dates

Philadelphia Obon Location
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Lansdowne Dr and Horticultural Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19131

Philadelphia Obon Title
Shofuso will Host Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival Event - Taiko, Tea Ceremony, Games, Crafts, Dance

Previous Year 2023

Shofuso celebrates the Obon Festival with bon odori folk dances by Seabrook Minyo Dance Group, and taiko drumming performances by KyoDaiko, Hoh Daiko (Seabrook Buddhist Temple) and Casual Fifth. Attendees can also enjoy arts and crafts, a yukata dressing station, as well as a vendor market. The event will take place outside of Shofuso and is free and open to the public.

Philadelphia Obon Festival
Obon is a Japanese celebration of one’s ancestors. Each August, people return to their hometowns to remember the dead and reunite with loved ones. Obon is celebrated with regional dances called bon odori along with dances and other cultural celebrations.

The Philadelphia Obon Festival includes bon odori folk dances with Seabrook Minyo Dance Group, and taiko drumming performances by KyoDaiko, Hoh Daiko (Seabrook Buddhist Temple) and Casual Fifth. Attendees can also enjoy arts and crafts, a yukata dressing station, as well as a vendor market. The event will take place outside of Shofuso and is free and open to the public. Regular admission is required to visit Shofuso, and a separate ticket is required to participate in the Obon Lantern Lighting Ceremony.

In the event of inclement weather, Obon will be rescheduled to Sunday, August 13.

Obon Festival Date
August 12, 2023, Saturday

Event Times (If it Rains, date August 13) 
3 pm - 7 pm: Bon Odori dancing, Live Taiko, Arts & Crafts, Yukata stations, Vendor Market
7 pm - 9 pm: Obon Lanterm LightingCeremony (below)

2023 Obon Lantern Lighting Ceremony

Lantern Ceremony - Mukaebi
Date: Saturday, August 12 (Rain date: Sunday, August 13)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
$30 Participant (with Lantern)
$29 Observer (Without Lantern)
Members must sign in to get $10 off at checkout.

Get Tickets

Lantern Ceremony - Okuribi
Date: Saturday, August 19 (Rain date: Sunday, August 19)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
$30 Participant (with Lantern)
$20 Observer (Without Lantern)
Members must sign in to get $10 off at checkout.

Get Tickets 


Obon is a series of Summer events in Japan based on Buddhist and ancestral worship that enshrine and celebrate the spirits of ancestors. Typically, people return to their hometowns to celebrate Obon each year. Families gather, clean their graveyard and the shrine in their house, and light lanterns to welcome the spirits home. After the spirits spend a few days with family, the Bon-Odori dancers form a circle under the lanterns to guide the spirits back to the otherworld.

The Philadelphia Obon Festival continues a new Shofuso tradition, to light lanterns and float them on Shofuso’s pond. This night of remembrance and commemoration is dedicated to those no longer with us. Each registered participant will be able to choose if they would like to launch floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond or simply observe the serenity of the experience.

Event Location
Shofuso, Lansdowne Dr & Horticultural Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 215-878-5097

Event Tittle
The Annual Philadelphia Obon Festival (Launch Floating Lanterns on Shofuso’s Pond to Honor Loved Ones)