Obon Odori festivals are happening all throughout the Bay Area. This community outdoor dance honors those who have passed, and return to earth once a year to enjoy the earthly pleasures. Traditionally, summer festivals are held throughout Japan in the Temple grounds during the months of July and August to celebrate Obon Odori.
2014 Berkeley Buddhist Temple Bon Odori: Berkeley Buddhist Temple Obon is an annual event to commemorate our ancestors. Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (Bon Odori) are performed, and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. Everyone is invited to participate.
When: Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Berkeley Buddhist Temple 2121 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
2014 San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Obon Festival: This family event is a cultural event of authentic ethnic food, entertainment and traditional Japanese folk dancing. If you enjoy sushi, udon, corn, beef & chicken teriyaki, etc.
When: July 12-13, 2014 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Where: San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin / Jtown - 5th Street Japantown
2014 Monterey Peninsula Buddhist 68th Annual Temple Obon Festival: Day-long entertainment features martial arts demonstrations, tea ceremony, Japanese dancers, and Taiko drumming.
In the evening, the colorful Obon Odori, or community Japanese folk dancing, takes place. The day wraps up with a raffle drawing and a grand prize. The Obon Festival is a free event, donations accepted. Parking is available across the street from the Temple.
When: Sunday, July 13, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple, 1155 Noche Buena St., Seaside, CA 93955
2014 Enmanji Buddhist Temple Obon Odori Sonoma County: Enmanji Buddhist Temple Obon Odori happens in July. They have split up their Obon Festival into different days - Teriyaki Bazaar is one week earlier on July 13th. The Bon Odori dance will be the week after.
When: Teriyaki Bazaar, July 13, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Obon Dance, July 19, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Obon Service, July 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200 Gravenstein Hwy., South, Sebastopol, CA 95472
2014 Mountain View Buddhist Temple Obon and Bazaar: The Mountain View Buddhist Temple Bazaar and Obon is a two-day event featuring Obon dancing, Japanese and American foods, carnival games for the family, cultural exhibits, bookstore, flower shop, homecrafts store, children's crafts and taiko performances.
When: July 19-20, 2014. Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mountain View Buddhist Temple, 575 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
76th Annual Ginza Bazaar & Obon Odori Street Festival: The San Francisco Buddhist Church will be holding its annual Ginza Bazaar in July. The Ginza Bazaar will feature many food booths such as teriyaki chicken, sushi, udon, BBQ ribs, curry, and homemade baked goods. In addition, silent auction, children's games, boutique featuring many homemade crafts and clothing, tea salon, and bingo. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a kendo (Japanese martial art of swordsmanship) demonstration and Japanese kamishibai (storytelling) performance.
When: July 26 - 27, 2014. Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Buddhist Church of San Francisco, 1881 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
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