2019 San Diego Bon Odori Festival – A Gathering Of Joy In Balboa Park

The Buddhist Temple of San Diego and the Japanese Friendship Garden invite you to the 2019 San Diego Bon Odori Festival in Balboa Park!

This 2 day festival will be filled with food, crafts, entertainment and of course, DANCING!

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August 2nd

You’ll be able to make your own toro nagashi to either take home or set afloat at JFG. Lanterns will be sold at the Inamori Pavilion on a first come, first serve basis. Lantern making kits will only be available until 5:00 PM. Lantern floating is scheduled for 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the lower garden.

August 3rd

The festival extends out to the Organ Pavilion at 4:00 PM* where everyone will be invited to participate in the Bon Odori dance. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. your paid admission into the Japanese Friendship Garden gives you access to the upper and lower garden.

At 4 p.m. the JFG lower garden will close and admission to the upper garden will be free to the public. During this time the Spreckels Organ Pavilion will begin activities which will include live entertainment, community group booths, and craft vendors.

Throughout the day the Buddhist Temple of San Diego will offer food for sale including chicken skewers, somen salad, rice and taiyaki (pastries with sweet red bean filling). Water, iced green tea, shave ice, and sodas will also be sold.

The O Bon Again Shop will also be selling beautiful gently used Japanese clothing, art, and other items. Proceeds from the O Bon Again Shop benefit the temple’s scholarship fund.

A number of community organizations will be participating in the day’s festivities, selling food, crafts and conducting games for kids.

Some vendors include:

Kodama Forest
Finest City Kettlecorn
Wabi Sabi Japan Living
.. more can be found at www.niwa.org/odori-vendos!

See you there!