O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024
It’s bon dance season, so mark your calendars for these festivals taking place throughout the summer.
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
The lively tradition of bon dances is returning to O‘ahu this year, so dust off your yukata and get ready to make your way around the yagura to the sounds of taiko drums. One of the most beloved cultural events in Hawai‘i, bon dances take place during Obon season in the summer. This Japanese Buddhist tradition is a celebration of life and a way to honor your ancestors.
This year, Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village opens the 2024 bon season with dancing under the stars, local food offerings, a pop-up craft tent and more on June 1. Honolulu’s largest and arguably most popular bon dance takes place at Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest on July 6. Don’t worry if you miss it—there are more than a dozen other festivals to enjoy throughout the summer too. Here is our lineup of bon dances and Obon festivals happening across O‘ahu this summer. Note that dates and times may be subject to change.
SEE ALSO: How to Up Your Bon Dance Cred
O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2024
June 1, 4 to 10 p.m.
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village, 94-695 Waipahu St., 808-677-0110
hawaiiplantationvillage.org, @hawaiisplantationvillage
June 7, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pan-Pacific Festival, Kalākaua Ave.
panpacificfestival.org, @panpacificfestival
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 2024 Pan-Pacific Festival
June 15, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
‘Ewa Hongwanji Mission, 91-1133 Renton Road, ‘Ewa Beach, 808-681-5222
sites.google.com/view/ewa-buddhist-temple/home, @EwaHongwanji
June 21 & 22, 6 to 10 p.m.
Wahiawā Hongwanji Mission, 1067 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-4320
wahiawashinbuddists.org, @wahiawahongwangji
June 28 & 29, 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway, 808-536-7044
hawaiibetsuin.org, @hawaiibetsuin
SEE ALSO: Guide to O‘ahu Bon Dance Food: June & July 2024
Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest bon dance. Photo: Andrea Lee
July 6, 5 p.m.
11th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, 1100 University Ave.
moiliilisummerfesthi.com, @moiliilifest
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 11th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
July 12 & 13, 6 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Pa‘ala‘a Rd., 808-637-4423
July 12 & 13, 6 to 9 p.m.
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawai‘i, 2280 Auhuhu St., Pearl City, 808-455-3212
rkhawaii.org, @rkkhawaii
July 12 & 13, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Koboji Shingon Mission, 1223-B North School St., Honolulu, 808-841-7033
koboji.org, @kobojishingonmission
July 12 & 13, 7 to 10 p.m.
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, 1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu, 808-531-9088
betsuin.hhbt-hi.org, @higashihongwanjihawaii
July 13, 6 to 10 p.m.
Windward Buddhist Temple, 268A Ku‘ulei Road, Kailua
windwardbuddhisttemple.org, @windwardbuddhisttemple
July 13, 7 p.m.
Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 94-821 Kuhaulua St., Waipahu, 808-677-4221
waipahuhongwanji.org, @waipahutemplesangha
July 19 & 20, 7 to 10 p.m.
Wahiawā Ryusenji-Soto Mission, 164 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-1429
July 19 & 20, 7 to 10 p.m.
Shinshu Kyokai Mission, 1631 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, 808-973-0150
shinshukyokai.org, @SKM.Hawaii
July 20, 5 p.m.
Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 1731 N. School St., Honolulu, 808-845-3422
jikoenhongwanji.org
July 20, 7 to 10 p.m.
Wai‘anae Hongwanji Mission, 85-762 Old Government Road, Wai‘anae, 808-677-4221
July 26 & 27, 7 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Jodo Mission, 66-279 Hale‘iwa Road A, Hale‘iwa, 808-637-4382
hawaiijodo.net
July 26 & 27, 5 to 10 p.m.
Palolo Hongwanji, 1641 Palolo Ave., Honolulu, 808-732-1491
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Obon Dances for Beginners
Aug. 2 & 3, 7 to 10 p.m.
Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, 94-413 Waipahu St., Waipahu, 808-671-3103
sotozen.com
Aug. 9 & 10, 6 to 10 p.m.
Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i, 915 Sheridan St., 808-941-5663
shingonshuhawaii.com
Aug. 10, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St., 808-455-1680
pearlcityhongwanji.com
Aug. 16 & 17, 7 p.m.
Mililani Hongwanji, 95-257 Kaloapau St., 808-625-0925
Aug. 16 & 17, 7 to 10 p.m.
Soto Mission of Hawai‘i, 1708 Nuuanu Ave., 808-537-9409
sotomission.org, @sotomission
Aug. 17, 5 p.m
Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i, 1429 Makiki St., 808-949-3995
jodo.us
Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
‘Aiea Hongwanji, 99-186 Puakala St., ‘Aiea, 808-487-2626
aieahongwanji.org
Okinawan Festival bon dance. Photo: Andrea Lee
Aug. 31, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Okinawan Festival, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., 808-676-5400
okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival
See our recap reel of last year’s event.
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 42nd Okinawan Festival
Sept. 7, 4 to 9 p.m
Megabon, Aloha Stadium’s Lower Halawa Lot, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd.
megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii
See our recap reel of last year’s event.
Sept. 21, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Autumn Okinawan Dance Matsuri (at Hawai‘i Okinawa Center), 94-587 Uke‘e St., Waipahu, 808-676-5400
huoa.org
Oct. 5, 3:45 to 8:45 p.m.
Windward Mall Bon Dance, Center Court at Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 235-1143
windwardmall.com, @windwardmall
Times and dates are subject to change.
