Obon お盆 (Lantern Festival) is a multi-day Buddhist holiday to honor the spirits of our ancestors. It is believed that they will annually visit the physical world. Obon was first introduced to Hawaiʻi in the late 19th century by Japanese immigrants working on the plantations.

The official dates for Obon vary by region, but will most likely be August 13 - 15 based on the lunar calendar. We celebrate Obon in Hawaiʻi from June through September. Check out our list of local bon dance spots. These events are typically fundraisers for a temple or organization.

On the first day of Obon, families will clean their ancestors’ graves, chant (or pray/reflect), and leave offerings such as flowers and food along with chōchin 提灯 (paper lanterns). Mukae-bon 迎え盆 (to welcome) is a ritual used to call spirits back home. Some people hang lanterns outside their homes, while others will light mukae-bi 迎え火 (welcoming fires).

Families with altars may make shōryō uma 精霊馬 (spirit horses) out of vegetables to give their ancestors comfort in travel. Cucumber horses will give ancestors speed as they return home, while eggplant cows slowly carry offerings as they depart.

The second day of Obon is dedicated to bon odori 盆踊り (bon dance), a traditional Japanese dance that has been practiced for over 600 years. Dances are performed in appreciation of our ancestors’ sacrifices. In Hawaiʻi, hatsubon 初盆 (first memorial service for those who have passed since the last obon season) is held before the bon dance.

Okuri-bon 送り盆 (to send off) is a ritual for the last day of Obon. Families will light a candle in a toro nagashi 灯籠流し (floating lantern) that is then placed in water to help our ancestors return to the spirit world. An okuribi 送り火 (ceremonial bonfire) may also be used. In Hawaiʻi, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi is held in remembrance of those we miss.

Shop for Bon Dance items at the JCCH Gift Shop!

7 Things to Bring to a Bon Dance in Hawaiʻi Instagram Reel

2025 Bon Dance Schedule

Check back soon for updates!

OʻAHU

  • June 7 - Hawaii's Plantation Village
  • June 13 - Pan Pacific Festival
  • June 13-14 - Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission
  • June 21 - Ewa Hongwanji Mission
  • June 27-28 - Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
  • July 5 - Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest (Washington Middle School)
  • July 5 - Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
  • July 11-12 - Haleiwa Shingon Mission
  • July 11-12 - Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
  • July 11-12 - Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
  • July 12 - Windward Buddhist Temple
  • July 18-19 - Koboji Shingon Mission
  • July 18-19 - Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
  • July 18-19 - Shinshu Kyokai Mission
  • July 19 - Jikoen Hongwanji
  • July 19 - Waianae Hongwanji
  • July 25-26 - Palolo Hongwanji
  • July 26 - Aiea Hongwanji Mission
  • July 30 - Pearl Country Club
  • July 31 - Central Pacific Bank (Tidepools)
  • August 1-2 - Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
  • August 1-2 - Haleiwa Jodo Mission
  • August 8-9 - Soto Mission of Aiea
  • August 9 - Shingon Mission of Hawaii - 金剛蓮寺 Kongoren-ji
  • August 9 - Pearl City Hongwanji Mission
  • August 15-16 - Mililani Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
  • August 15-16 - Soto Mission of Hawaii
  • August 16 - Jodo Mission of Hawaii
  • August 30-31 - Okinawan Festival (Hawaiʻi Convention Center)
  • September 6 - Honbushin International Center
  • September 13 • 4:00 - 9:00 PM - Megabon (Leeward Community College)
  • September 20 • 4:00 - 9:30 PM - Autumn Matsuri (Hawaii Okinawa Center)
  • September 27 • 5:00 - 9:00 PM - Senwa Kai Autumn Matsuri (Palama Settlement)
  • October 4 - Windward Mall

BIG ISLAND

  • June 14 - Honomu Henjoji Mission (Odaishisan)
  • June 15 - Makaeʻo Pavilion (Kona Hongwanji & Daifukuji Soto Mission)
  • June 21 - Papaikou Hongwanji Mission
  • July 12 - Hilo Meishoin
  • July 12 - Paauilo Hongwanji Mission
  • July 19 - Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin
  • July 26 - Hilo Hooganji Mission (Odaishisan)
  • June 28 - Puna Hongwanji
  • July 5 - Kohala Hongwanji
  • July 12 - Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission
  • July 19 - Keei Hongwanji (Kona Hongwanji)
  • July 19 - Honokaa Hongwanji
  • July 26 - Kona Hongwanji
  • August 2 - Taishoji Soto Mission
  • August 2 - Kurtistown Jodo Mission
  • August 8 - Life Care Center
  • August 9 - Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission
  • August 9 - Hamakua Jodo Mission
  • August 9 - Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission
  • August 16 - Hakalau Jodo Mission
  • August 16 - Kamuela Hongwanji
  • August 23 - Hawi Jodo Mission
  • August 23 - Honohina-Papaaloa Obon at Honohina Hongwanji Mission
  • August 23 - Hilo Daijingu Natsu Matsuri
  • August 30 - Pahoa Kaikan at Pahoa YBA Hall
  • September 13 - Pahala/Naalehu Obon

KAUAʻI

  • June 13-14 - Waimea Shingon Mission
  • June 20-21 - Lihue Hongwanji Mission
  • June 27-28 - Kauai Soto Zenshuji
  • July 11-12 - West Kauai Hongwanji, Hanapepe Temple
  • July 18-19 - Kapaʻa Hongwanji Mission
  • July 25-26 - Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission

MAUI

  • May 24 - Maui Matsuri Japanese Festival (UH Maui College)
  • June 7 - Puunene Nichiren Mission
  • June 14 - Wailuku Shingon Mission
  • June 20 - Wailuku Jodo Mission
  • June 28 - Kahului Jodo Mission
  • July 11-12 - Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission
  • July 18-19 - Kahului Hongwanji Mission
  • July 25-26 - Makawao Hongwanji Mission
  • August 1-2 - Wailuku Hongwanji Mission
  • August 9 - Lahaina Community Bon Dance (Lahaina Cannery Mall Parking Lots)
  • August 16 - Paia Rinzai Zen Mission
  • August 23 - Kula Shofukuji Mission

MOLOKA‘I

  • August 23 - Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai

Compiled from: Bon Dance Hawaii & Japanese & Okinawan Culture Facebook Group, Facebook, and Maui Now. Events are subject to change. Please confirm details with each site.