Bon Dances & Obon Festivals 2025 on Oahu
IT’S BON DANCE SEASON 2025 ON OAHU!
Click on the links below to learn more about individual Bon Dances and Festivals taking place on Oahu in 2025.
JUNE 13, 2025
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji
JUNE 13, 2025
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji
JUNE 21, 2025
Bon Dance at Ewa Hongwanji Mission
JUNE 27, 2025
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
JUNE 28, 2025
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
JULY 5, 2025
12th Annual Moiliili Summer Fest & Bon Dance (New Location!)
JULY 11, 2025
Obon Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission
JULY 12, 2025
Obon at Koboji Shingon Mission
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
JULY 18, 2025
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
JULY 19, 2025
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji Soto Mission
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission
JULY 26, 2025
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Aiea Hongwanji Mission
August 1, 2025
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
August 2, 2025
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji
August 30, 2025
More bon dance dates to come.
Aloha Festivals 71th Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a
Get ready for a beachfront street festival like no other!
Kalākaua Avenue will be transformed with booths showcasing Hawai‘i cuisine, crafts and culture stretching as far as the eye can see. Taste the best of local flavors from around the island in one place, and peruse artisan-made crafts. Multiple stages with incredible entertainment will rock the evening featuring top local artists, award-winning hālau hula, and more.
Aloha Festivals 77th Annual Floral Parade
A colorful procession of Hawaiian culture through Waikīkī
Intricate floats decorated with a rainbow of fresh flowers and men and women on horseback showcasing the traditional art of pāʻū riding. Participants from marching bands to hālau hula to civic leaders display the unique aloha spirit that unites Hawai‘i’s community.
Honolulu City Lights Opening Night, Light Parade, Block Party
HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS IS PRESENTED BY THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FRIENDS OF HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS.
Free
Opening Ceremony:
Begins at 5:30 PM and the lights are scheduled to be turned on at approximately 6 PM
Public Workers' Electric Light Parade:
The parade travels on King Street, from River Street to Kawaiahao Street.
Step-off is at approximately 6 PM and the first unit arrives at Honolulu Hale approximately 6:30 PM
Kapolei City Lights Parade, Opening Night Festivities & Block Party 2025
Each year, Kapolei City Lights kicks-off with Opening Night Festivities featuring a wonderful Block Party and dazzling Parade centered around Kapolei Hale! For 2025, the opening night is set for Saturday, December 6!!
Block Party
Showcasing a wide variety of local vendors, live music, and excellent eateries, the Block Party is scheduled for Saturday, December 6 around Kapolei Hale. We’ve got so much planned for this party we are taking over several streets for the event, including: Ulu‘ōhi‘a, Ala Kahawai, ‘Alohikea, and Kama‘aha Ave.
Enjoy an amazing lineup of local entertainment and events on the stage near the mauka-end of Kapolei Hale. Emceed by Councilmember Augie Tulba, this venue will offer the following scheduled performances.
49th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow
Free admission. Everyone welcome!
Bring your own chairs & blankets.
9am – Native Hawaiian Blessing, music & performance, followed by Grand Entry at 10am.
Visit with Indigenous & Turtle Island craft vendors, gather resource information from educational & community-based organizations, participate in children’s crafts, enjoy local food vendors and
Navajo frybread prepared by our Navajo relatives, Masen Tsosie and Caroline Begay, throughout the day.
Invited Groups include the Lummi Nation Blackhawk Singers and the Bird Singers from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
Host Drum – Blackfoot Drummers
Head Woman Dancer – Taunie Cullooyah, Kalispel Tribe
Head Man Dancer – Robert Thomas, Colville Confederated Tribe
Emcee – Brad Bearsheart
Arena Director – Eric Lonecheif
Okinawan Festival 2025 (more info to come)
Stay tuned for more details!
Cultural performances, activities, exhibits, marketplace, bon dance.
And FOOD! Freshly made ANDAGI, shave ice, Okinawa soba, Pig’s Feet soup, Champura and more.
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji (Friday & Saturday)
2 Nights: Friday and Saturday
Bon Dance, Taiko Performance, Food Booths, Activities
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission (Friday & saturday Nights)
2 Nights! Friday & Saturday
Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.
21st Annual Korean Festival 2025
Share, Promote, and Raise Awareness of Korean Culture in the Community
The Korean Festival is an annual event run by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, with the support of dozens of community organizations and businesses, and hundreds of volunteers. Proceeds from the Festival are used to fund service projects and ventures which benefit the Korean and larger community in Hawaii, including an annual scholarship fund for outstanding, civic-minded students entering or currently enrolled in college.
The Korean Festival presents a unique, authentic taste of Korean culture through food, dance, art, music, and entertainment. The program of festival events varies from year to year, but past Festivals have included performances such as taekwondo (Korean martial arts) demonstration, a coming-of-age traditional tea ceremony, and Korean fan and drum dances.
Bon Dance at Waipahu Soto Zen Temple Taiyoji (Friday & Saturday)
2 Nights: Friday and Saturday
Bon Dance, Taiko Performance, Food Booths, Activities
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Jodo Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
2 Nights! Friday & Saturday
Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.
Bon Dance at Aiea Hongwanji
Saturday night only
Bon Dance, Taiko Performance, Food Booths, Activities
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji-Soto Mission (Friday & saturday Nights)
Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Jikoen Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Ryusenji-Soto Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Shinshu Kyokai Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
2 Nights! Friday & Saturday: Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.
Dates and time subject to change.
Obon at Koboji Shingon Mission
2 Nights - Friday & Saturday!
The food booth will open by 5:30pm on Friday and following the Hatsu Bon service on Saturday. Cash only, please.
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
2 NIGHTS - Friday & Saturday!
Traditional bon dance music and dance provided by the Young Okinawans of Hawaii. There will be food booths serving oden, BBQ plates, warabi mochi, shave ice, musubi, ramen and chow fun. We will also have games for children. We offer visitors a way to pay respect for your ancestors by lighting a candle and place their name on our alter for prayer.
Friday July 12 & Saturday July 13, 2024
Bon Dance at Haleiwa Shingon Mission (Friday & Saturday Nights)
Community members come together to experience Japanese culture and traditions including bon dance, local and ethnic foods, dress, activities and more.
Dates and time subject to change.
Obon Festival & Bon Dance at Rissho Kosei-Kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii
2 NIGHTS – Friday and Saturday!
Traditional bon dance music and dance provided by the Young Okinawans of Hawaii. There will be food booths serving oden, BBQ plates, warabi mochi, shave ice, musubi, ramen and chow fun. We will also have games for children. We offer visitors a way to pay respect for your ancestors by lighting a candle and place their name on our alter for prayer.
12th Annual Moiliili Summer Fest & Bon Dance (New location!)
The Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is an annual festival held during the Bon season and is a fundamental aspect of modern-day culture and life in Hawaii. Celebrating Japanese and Hawaiian roots of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Hawaii, the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is home to the largest Bon dance in Honolulu.
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin (Friday & Saturday Evenings)
2 Nights: Friday and Saturday
At 6 p.m., festivities begin outside with a taiko drumming performance, which will be followed by an opening aspiration from the yagura (the stage around which we dance) at 6:15 p.m. Dancing begins at 6:30 p.m.
Dancing
Taiko drumming (PBA on Friday, temple’s group on Saturday)
Fellowship
Honoring ancestors
Bontique shop in our Social Hall
Professional photos by Studio FX3 (kimonos & assistance dressing provided!)
Temple tours (from main, upper-level sanctuary or hondo)
Kids’ “Wheel of Chances” game
Ono food!
BBQ Plates & Bowls
Hot Dogs, Teri Hamburgers
Saimin
Chili
Soy Beans
Spam Musubi
Shave Ice
Andagi (Saturday only)
Baked Goods
Water, Juice, Soda
Bon Dance at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
2 Nights: Friday and Saturday
At 6 p.m., festivities begin outside with a taiko drumming performance, which will be followed by an opening aspiration from the yagura (the stage around which we dance) at 6:15 p.m. Dancing begins at 6:30 p.m.
Dancing
Taiko drumming (PBA on Friday, temple’s group on Saturday)
Fellowship
Honoring ancestors
Bontique shop in our Social Hall
Professional photos by Studio FX3 (kimonos & assistance dressing provided!)
Temple tours (from main, upper-level sanctuary or hondo)
Kids’ “Wheel of Chances” game
Ono food!
BBQ Plates & Bowls
Hot Dogs, Teri Hamburgers
Saimin
Chili
Soy Beans
Spam Musubi
Shave Ice
Andagi (Saturday only)
Baked Goods
Water, Juice, Soda
Bon Dance at Ewa Hongwanji Mission
“As we celebrate Obon, don't forget to look up into the night sky. As countless as the stars in the sky are, so are the teachings of our ancestors and the many lives that come into our lives. Let us take the time to contemplate that and appreciate the lives we have because of others.” - Ewa Hongwanji Reverend
Kāhuli Leo Leʻa presents the Inaugural Mele Conference & Hula Festival (3 Groundbreaking Days!)
Mele Hula Festival debuts June 18!✨
Witness mele and hula like never before, where each performance is paired with newly-composed mele. This groundbreaking competition closes out our Mele Conference and celebrates the future of mele and hula.
Kāhuli Leo Leʻa presents the Inaugural Mele Conference & Hula Festival (3 Groundbreaking Days!)
Mele Hula Festival debuts June 18!✨
Witness mele and hula like never before, where each performance is paired with newly-composed mele. This groundbreaking competition closes out our Mele Conference and celebrates the future of mele and hula.
Kāhuli Leo Leʻa presents the Inaugural Mele Conference & Hula Festival (3 Groundbreaking Days!)
Mele Hula Festival debuts June 18!✨
Witness mele and hula like never before, where each performance is paired with newly-composed mele. This groundbreaking competition closes out our Mele Conference and celebrates the future of mele and hula.
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission (Friday & Saturday Evenings)
2 NIGHTS! Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
Bon Dance at Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission (Friday & Saturday Evenings)
2 NIGHTS! Traditional bon dance music and dance
Food booths, activities, fun for all ages.
42nd Annual Pan-Pacific Festival
Celebrate the spirit of aloha with three days of cultural performances, vibrant parades, delicious food, and family-friendly fun in the heart of Waikīkī.
35th Annual Obon Celebration at Hawaii’s Plantation Village
This year’s celebration will once again feature 10 bon dance groups from all over Oahu. The 10 groups featured are: Ewa Fukushima Bon Dance Club Haleiwa Bon Dance Club Hawaii Eisa Shinyuu Kai Hawaii Shin Kobukai Iwakuni Odori Aiko Kai Koolau Sakura Odori Kai Oahu District Bon Dance Club Senwa Kai Wahiawa Hongwanji Bon Dance Team Waipahu Soto Mission Bon Dance Class
The celebration will also feature special performances by emcee and singer Hikariyama Torao and taiko performances by Waipahu Taiyoji Taiko and Ryugen Taiko. A special lantern floating ceremony will also take place at the village pond at sunset. A limited number of lanterns will be available for purchase at the event at the Waipahu Soto Zen Temple tent.
Parking and shuttle service will be available at Waipahu Elementary School and Hawaii Tech Academy between 3:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Donations are welcomed for the shuttle service. Limited handicap parking available on site.
Annual Waikiki SPAM JAM® Block Party
With multiple entertainment stages, locally crafted gifts, and food booths galore, the Waikiki SPAM JAM® block party is a a cultural tradion in Hawaii.
Waikiki SPAM JAM® is a fundraiser for the Hawai‘i Foodbank and there will be two tents set up for canned goods and donations. The festival also donates to the Waikīkī Community Center and the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai‘i.