Annual Oxnard Buddhist Temple Summer Obon Odori Festival "Gathering of Joy" in sunny breezy Oxnard, CA. We offer Japanese cultural exhibits and demonstrations in bonsai, taiko and traditional Japanese dance. Enjoy tasty treats, delicious sushi, teriyaki foods, ice cold snow cones, and much more. There's a fresh farmer's produce market, a Japanese boutique, games, a silent auction, and raffle drawing. End your fun summer day with Bon Odori - Japanese folk dance circles. Let's dance!

Oxnard Buddhist Temple Bon Odori - Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. Traditionally, lanterns are hang in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.
Obon is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, which is July according to the solar calendar. However, since the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Obon is still celebrated in mid August in many regions of Japan, while it is celebrated in mid July in other regions.
Obon Festival Times
Sat: 1:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Bon Odori Dance Time
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm