O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2025
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
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 2025 bon season with dancing under the stars, local food offerings, a pop-up craft tent and more on June 7. Honolulu’s largest and arguably most popular bon dance takes place at Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest on July 5. 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 2025
June 7, 4 to 10 p.m.
Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village, 94-695 Waipahu St., 808-677-0110
hawaiiplantationvillage.org, @hawaiisplantationvillage
June 13, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pan-Pacific Festival, Kalākaua Ave.
panpacificfestival.org, @panpacificfestival
June 13 & 14, 6 to 10 p.m.
Wahiawā Hongwanji Mission, 1067 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-4320
wahiawashinbuddists.org, @wahiawahongwangji
June 21, 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 27 & 28, 6 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 5, 5 to 10 p.m.
Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest, Washington Middle School, 1633 S King St.
moiliilisummerfest.org, @moiliilifest
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 12th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
July 5, 7 p.m.
Waipahu Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 94-821 Kuhaulua St., Waipahu, 808-677-4221
waipahuhongwanji.org, @waipahutemplesangha
July 11 & 12, 7 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Shingon Mission, 66-469 Pa‘ala‘a Rd., 808-637-4423
July 11 & 12, 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 11 & 12, 7 p.m.
Higashi Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, 1685 Alaneo St., Honolulu, 808-531-9088
betsuin.hhbt-hi.org, @higashihongwanjihawaii
July 12, 5 to 10 p.m.
Windward Buddhist Temple, 268A Ku‘ulei Road, Kailua
windwardbuddhisttemple.org, @windwardbuddhisttemple
July 18 & 19, 7 p.m.
Wahiawā Ryusenji-Soto Mission, 164 California Ave., Wahiawā, 808-622-1429
July 18 & 19, 7 p.m.
Koboji Shingon Mission, 1223-B North School St., Honolulu, 808-841-7033
koboji.org, @kobojishingonmission
July 18 & 19, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Shinshu Kyokai Mission, 1631 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, 808-973-0150
shinshukyokai.org, @SKM.Hawaii
July 19, 5 to 9 p.m.
Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, 1731 N. School St., Honolulu, 808-845-3422
jikoenhongwanji.org
July 19, 7 p.m.*
Wai‘anae Hongwanji Mission, 85-762 Old Government Road, Wai‘anae, 808-696-3125
sites.google.com/view/waianae-buddhist-temple
*This will be the last bon dance at this temple, which is closing.
July 25 & 26, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Palolo Hongwanji, 1641 Palolo Ave., Honolulu, 808-732-1491
@palolo.hongwanji
July 26, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
‘Aiea Hongwanji, 99-186 Puakala St., ‘Aiea, 808-487-2626
aieahongwanji.org
July 30, 5 to 9 p.m.
Pearl at Kalauao, 98-535 Kaonohi St, ‘Aiea, 808-487-2460
pearlatkalauao.com, @pearlatkalauao
SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Obon Dances for Beginners
Aug. 1 & 2, 7 to 10 p.m.
Hale‘iwa Jodo Mission, 66-279 Hale‘iwa Road A, Hale‘iwa, 808-637-4382
hawaiijodo.net
Aug. 1 & 2, 7 to 10 p.m.
Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji, 94-413 Waipahu St., Waipahu, 808-671-3103
sotozen.com, @waipahusotozentempletaiyoji
Photo: Andrea Lee
Aug. 6 & 9, 6 p.m.
Shingon Mission of Hawai‘i, 915 Sheridan St., 808-941-5663
shingonshuhawaii.com, @shingonhawaii
Aug. 8 & 9, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Soto Mission of ‘Aiea-Taiheiji, 99-045 Kauhale St., ‘Aiea, 808-488-6794
sotomission.com, @aieataiheiji
Aug. 9, 7 to 10 p.m.
Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St., 808-455-1680
pearlcityhongwanji.com
Aug. 15 & 16, 7 p.m.
Mililani Hongwanji, 95-257 Kaloapau St., 808-625-0925
Aug. 15 & 16, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Soto Mission of Hawai‘i, 1708 Nuuanu Ave., 808-537-9409
sotomission.org, @sotomission
Aug. 16, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i, 1429 Makiki St., 808-949-3995
jodo.us
Okinawan Festival bon dance. Photo: Andrea Lee
Aug. 30, 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 the 2023 event.
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 42nd Okinawan Festival
Sept. 13, 4 to 9 p.m
Megabon, Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City
megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii
See our recap reel of the first event in 2023.
Sept. 20, 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Autumn Okinawan Dance Matsuri, Hawai‘i Okinawa Center, 94-587 Uke‘e St., Waipahu, 808-676-5400
huoa.org
Sept. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
Autumn Matsuri by Senwa Kai, Pālama Settlement basketball court, 810 N Vineyard Blvd., Kalihi-Pālama, 808-848-2500
Times and dates are subject to change. Special mahalo to Michael Ching for gathering much of the bon dance schedule info.
Maria Kanai was a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
