The 2026 Obon Festival will be held at Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara, 1015 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, on Saturday, July 18, from 12 to 4 p.m.
Obon is our annual festival of joy in which we gather and remember our deceased ancestors with gratitude and reverence. Free admission and all are welcome.
While the festivities are taking place outside, join us in our Social Hall for snacks for sale, bonsai exhibit, arts and crafts, Japanese collectables, and more.
You can also take a moment to rest and re-center in our Hondo (main hall), which will be open for quiet reflection. Rev. JP deGuzman, BCSB’s minister’s assistant, will be available to answer your questions about Buddhism.
In addition to our odori, we are delighted to offer performances from Togen Daiko, Amatasi Polynesian Dance Group, and the students of Richiko Nakashima Sensei (Okinawan dance).
The schedule is as follows:
12 p.m.: Welcome
12:15 p.m.: Hula performance
12:35 p.m.: Okinawan dance performance
1:10 p.m.: Taiko drumming
1:40: Bon Odori
2:40 p.m.: Taiko drumming
3:10 p.m.: Bon Odori
4 p.m.: Closing
Parking is available in the neighborhood and at Franklin Elementary School, 1111 E. Mason St.
The final dance practice will be held on Friday, July 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call (805) 962-3633 or visit www.buddhistchurchofsantabarbara.org.