2025 Annual Sacramento Obon Odori Festival Event (Bon Odori Dancing, Japanese Food..) Sacramento Buddhist Church (Saturday)NEW

The Obon and Bon Odori Festival at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento on July 12-13, 2025 honors and remembers ancestors through traditional ceremonies, dances, and community activities. The weekend includes cemetery services, an Obon/Hatsubon memorial service, and the vibrant Bon Odori dance celebration, accompanied by food concessions, an Obon store, and live music. Obon, a centuries-old Japanese Buddhist tradition, welcomes the spirits of ancestors back home, blending solemn remembrance with joyful festivities. The festival features opportunities for the community to honor loved ones, participate in dance practices, and enjoy the cultural significance of this cherished event.

Date and Time
• July 12-13, 2025
• Bon Odori Dance: Saturday, July 12, 7:30-9:15 pm
• Obon/Hatsubon Service: Sunday, July 13, 9:30 am

Location and Details
• Buddhist Church of Sacramento
• Church parking lot, courtyard, and Main Hondo
• Some services and Bon Odori will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube

Schedule
Saturday, July 12, 2025
• 9:00 am - Cemetery Service at Odd Fellows Cemetery
• 10:00 am - Cemetery Service at Sacramento Memorial Lawn
• 11:00 am - Cemetery Service at East Lawn
• 12:00 pm - Nokotsudo Service at Main Hondo
• 5:00 pm - Food concessions and Obon store open
• 7:15 pm - Gather in Main Hondo for Bon Odori walk-out
• 7:30-9:15 pm - Bon Odori Dance (livestreamed)

Sunday, July 13, 2025
• 9:30 am - Obon/Hatsubon Service (livestreamed)

Dance Practice Nights
• July 1, 2, 8, 9 - 7:00-8:00 pm
• July 10 - 7:00-8:15 pm
• Food sold at 6:00 pm on practice nights

About Obon and Bon Odori
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist festival held in mid-July or August to honor the spirits of deceased ancestors. Families clean graves, offer food and flowers, and burn incense. The festival includes Bon Odori, traditional dances performed to welcome and celebrate the return of ancestral spirits. It is both a time of remembrance and joyful community gathering, with roots dating back to the 7th century. Though not a public holiday, many Japanese return to their hometowns for this important observance.

Festival Parking
Parking available at city lot underneath Highway 50 at 8th and X Street for a flat rate. Courtesy shuttle available or short 10 minute walk.

Sacramento Buddhist Church 2 Major Events
Annual Obon Festival and Annual Bazaar

1) Annual Obon Bon Odori Festival Event in July - Separate from the Bazaar

July 12, 2025: Saturday at 5:00 Food & Concessions; Bon Odori Dancing at 7:30 pm
July 13, 2025: Sunday at 9:30 am: Obon/Hatsubon Service

2) Sacramento Japanese Cultural Bazaar 

August 10, 2024: 78th Annual Bazaar Event



Sacramento Obon, Bazaar & Practices 

Bon Odori Practice Schedule
Need a refresher on our bon odori dances? Join us for practice in the evenings leading up to Bon Odori night. Learn our new dance being featured this year.
• Tuesday, July 1, 2025: 7 - 8 pm
• Wednesday, July 2, 2025: 7 -8 pm
• Tuesday, July 8, 2025: 7 - 8 pm
• Wednesday, July 9, 2025: 7 - 8 pm
• Thursday, July 10, 2025: 7 - 8:15 pm

Obon Bon Odori Festival Event Location
Buddhist Church of Sacramento Obon Odori Festival, 2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 9581

Obon Bon Odori Event Title
Annual Bon Odori Dance (Saturday) Buddhist Church of Sacramento (Note: 2-Day Annual Cultural & Food Bazaar is in August)

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