O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026

Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest

Bon dances are returning to O‘ahu, so dust off your yukata and get ready to make your way around the yagura to the beat of taiko drums. One of the most beloved cultural events in Hawai‘i, bon dances take place during Obon season in the summer. The Japanese Buddhist tradition is a celebration of life and a way to honor your ancestors.

This year, Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village opens the 2026 bon season with dancing under the stars, local food offerings, a pop-up craft tent and more on June 6. Honolulu’s largest and arguably most popular bon dance takes place at Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest on July 4. Don’t worry if you miss it—there are more than a dozen other festivals to enjoy throughout the summer too. Here is our line-up 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 2026

June 6, 4 to 10 p.m.
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village, 94-695 Waipahu St., 808-677-0110
hawaiiplantationvillage.org, @hawaiisplantationvillage

June 12, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pan-Pacific Festival, Kalākaua Ave.
panpacificfestival.org, @panpacificfestival

June 12 & 13, 7 to 10 p.m.
Wahiawā Hongwanji Mission, 1067 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-4320
wahiawashinbuddists.org, @whm96786

June 20, 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 26 & 27, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway, 808-536-7044
hawaiibetsuin.org, @hawaiibetsuin

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest bon dance. Photo: Andrea Lee

July 4, 5 to 10 p.m.

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, Old Varsity Building Parking Lot, 1100 University Ave., Mō‘ili‘ili
moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest

July 4, 7 to 10 p.m.
Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 94-821 Kuhaulua St., Waipahu, 808-677-4221
waipahuhongwanji.org, @waipahutemplesangha

July 10 & 11, 6:45 to 9:45 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Pa‘ala‘a Road, Hale‘iwa, 808-637-4423

July 10 & 11, 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 10 & 11, 5:30 p.m.
Koboji Shingon Mission, 1223-B North School St., Liliha-Kapālama, 808-841-7033
koboji.org, @kobojishingonmission

July 10 & 11, 7 to 10 p.m.
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, 1685 Alaneo St., Liliha-Kapālama, 808-531-9088
betsuin.hhbt-hi.org, @higashihongwanjihawaii

July 11, 7 to 10 p.m.
Windward Buddhist Temple, 268A Ku‘ulei Road, Kailua, 808-262-4560
windwardbuddhisttemple.org, @windwardbuddhisttemple

July 17 & 18, 7 to 10 p.m.
Wahiawā Ryusenji-Soto Mission, 164 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-1429

July 17 & 18, 7 to 10 p.m.
Shinshu Kyokai Mission, 1631 S. Beretania St., Mō‘ili‘ili, 808-973-0150
shinshukyokai.org, @SKM.Hawaii

July 17 & 18, 7 to 10 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Jodo Mission, 66-279 Hale‘iwa Road A, Hale‘iwa, 808-637-4382
hawaiijodo.net

July 18, 5 p.m.
Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 1731 N. School St., Kalihi, 808-845-3422
jikoenhongwanji.org

July 24 & 25, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Pālolo Hongwanji, 1641 Palolo Ave., Pālolo, 808-732-1491
@palolo.hongwanji

July 25, 7 p.m.
‘Aiea Hongwanji, 99-186 Puakala St., ‘Aiea, 808-487-2626
aieahongwanji.org

SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Obon Dances for Beginners

July 31 & Aug. 1, 7 to 10 p.m.
Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, 94-413 Waipahu St., Waipahu, 808-671-3103
sotozen.com, @waipahusotozentempletaiyoji

Aug. 7 & 8, 7 to 10 p.m.
Soto Mission of ‘Aiea-Taiheiji, 99-045 Kauhale St., ‘Aiea, 808-488-6794
sotomission.com, @aieataiheiji

Photo: Andrea Lee

Aug. 7 & 8
Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i, 915 Sheridan St., Ala Moana, 808-941-5663
shingonshuhawaii.com, @shingonhawaii

Aug. 8, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St., Pearl City, 808-455-1680
pearlcityhongwanji.com

Aug. 14 & 15, 7 to 10 p.m.
Soto Mission of Hawai‘i, 1708 Nu‘uanu Ave., Nu‘uanu, 808-537-9409
sotomission.org, @sotomission

Aug. 21 & 22, 7 to 10 p.m.
Mililani Hongwanji, 95-257 Kaloapau St., Mililani, 808-625-0925

Aug. 22, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i, 1429 Makiki St., Makiki, 808-949-3995
jodo.us

Aug. 29, 5 to 9 p.m.
Autumn Matsuri by Senwa Kai, Pālama Settlement, 810 N Vineyard Blvd., Kalihi-Pālama, 808-848-2500

Okinawan Festival bon dance. Photo: Andrea Lee

Sept. 5, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Okinawan Festival, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, 808-676-5400
okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival

Sept. 12, 3:45 to 9 p.m 
Megabon, Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City
megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii

Sept. 12
Honbushin International Center, 95-030 Waihonu St., Mililani, 808-623-7693
hichawaii.com, @hichawaii

Sept. 19, 5 to 9 p.m.
Autumn Okinawan Dance Matsuri, Hawai‘i Okinawa Center, 94-587 Uke‘e St., Waipahu, 808-676-5400
huoa.org

Sept. 26
Mari’s Gardens
marisgardens.com, @maris_gardens

Oct. 3, 3:45 to 8 p.m.
Windward Mall Center Court, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne‘ohe, 808-235-1143
windwardmall.com, @windwardmall

Times and dates are subject to change. Special mahalo to the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, Derrick Iwata and the Bon Dance Hawai‘i & Japanese & Okinawan Culture Facebook group for providing the bon dance schedule info.

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.

Maria Kanai was a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.