Santa Barbara Obon Festival
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Buddhist Church Of Santa Barbara
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Sat, Jul 18 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Address (map)
1015 E Montecito St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Venue (website)
Buddhist Church Of Santa Barbara
Celebrate summer and honor our deceased ancestors at the annual Santa Barbara Obon Festival, a joyful and reflective Japanese Buddhist tradition open to all.
Obon is a centuries-old festival rooted in gratitude and remembrance—a time when families joyfully remember all those who have passed away through dance, food, and community gathering, similar to Día de los Muertos. Visitors of all backgrounds are invited to join in the festivities.
This year’s celebration will feature the lively Bon Odori folk dance, thunderous taiko drumming, and a variety of tasty Japanese snacks. Enjoy hands-on arts and crafts, and don’t miss the beautiful ikebana (flower arranging) and bonsai exhibits on display. A Japanese flea market is filled with treasures waiting for you. We will also have Hula and Okinawan dance performances. Our beautiful temple hall will be open for moments of quiet reflection and dialogue with the temple priest.
Bring your friends and family, wear a yukata (traditional summer kimono) or happi coat if you have one, and come dance under the summer sky!
The Santa Barbara Obon Festival is sponsored by the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara, a Jodo Shinshu temple proudly rooted in the area for over 100 years.
Free admission, though donations are gratefully accepted. All are welcome.
For more information, visit: https://www.buddhistchurchofsantabarbara.org/obon-2/
