Some of the hundreds of participants in last year’s Bon Odori.
Live Okinawan music was provided by Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Los Angeles.
Gardena Buddhist Church, 1517 W. 166th St. in Gardena, will hold its 2026 Obon Festival, one of the largest Obon events in Southern California, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2, from 3 to 9 p.m.
This year’s Obon coincides with the temple’s 100th anniversary celebration.
The festival will feature food and games from 3 to 9 p.m.; taiko performances at 4:30 p.m.; bingo at 5 p.m.; and Bon Odori from 6 to 8 p.m. Halldale Avenue will be blocked to traffic between 166th Street and Gardena Boulevard for the dance circle.
Afuso Ryu Kenkyuu Choichi Kai Los Angeles will provide live music for the two Okinawan songs during the dancing. The Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club will be visiting from Hawaii (Sunday only).
To see a list of this year’s dances, click here.
Opening service at yagura on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Atomic bomb service in Hondo on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 6 and 9 mark the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.
Introduction to Obon on Saturday at 4 p.m. Introduction to Buddhism on Sunday at 4 p.m. Temple tour both days at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call (310) 327-9400 or visit www.gardenabuddhistchurch.org/obon-26.