Obon Fest 2026 - A Celebration of Japanese Heritage
About this Event
Join Us for Obon Fest 2026!
The Oregon Buddhist Temple is thrilled to announce its Obon Fest 2026, a cherished Japanese and Japanese-American tradition, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This free, family-friendly event invites the Portland community to gather in remembrance and celebration.
Honoring Ancestors Through Dance and Community
Obon is a summertime Japanese festival celebrated around the globe. In honor of our ancestors and departed loved ones, lanterns are hung and Bon Odori (Obon dance) is performed. Bon Odori is a folk dance that is easy to follow along, allowing anyone to participate. At Oregon Buddhist Temple, Bon Odori is not a performance but a communal expression of joy and gratitude.
Every year, Obon Fest offers a truly unique experience for all Oregonians to gather and celebrate with one another, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Seeing a diverse and curious community come together to appreciate the culture and dance together is a remarkable sight. More visitors come to Obon Fest every year, so come see for yourself!
Cultural Performances and Live Entertainment
The festival will feature a variety of live cultural performances throughout the day:
- Temple Talk (highlights the history of Obon and the Jodo Shinshu practice)
- Portland Sumo (wrestling)
- Shorinji Kempo (martial arts)
- Tsubaki Buyo Dokokai (traditional Japanese dance)
- Portland Taiko (drumming)
- Bon Odori Dance: From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, attendees can participate in the community dance, with popular dances like Tankobushi and Baseball Odori.
Delicious Japanese Festival Foods
The event will feature a variety of Japanese festival foods, including:
- Sobameshi: Yakisoba Fried Rice
- Gyuniku Kushiyaki: Grilled beef skewers.
- Spam Musubi: Teriyaki marinated Spam wrapped in rice and seaweed.
- Japanese Desserts: Chi Chi Dango, Butter Mochi Cake, Furikake Mix
- Shave Ice: A refreshing summer treat.
- Beer Garden: Featuring local brewer
Food stands will open at 2:00 PM and remain open until 7:00 PM. Vegetarian options will be available.
Family-Friendly Activities
A dedicated Children’s Corner will offer creative games and crafts for children of all ages, including a bean bag toss, water balloon fishing, face painting, and a live play. There will also be tables with free coloring and activity papers.
Public transportation and ridesharing are strongly encouraged. Free parking available on surrounding streets. For more information, please visit oregonbuddhisttemple.com/obon-festival.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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