The 2024 Obon Festival

The Philadelphia Obon Festival continues this important Shofuso tradition, to light lanterns and float them on Shofuso’s pond. This night of remembrance and commemoration is dedicated to those no longer with us. Each registered participant will be able to choose if they would like to launch floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond or simply observe the serenity of the experience.

Obon is a series of Summer events in Japan based on Buddhist and ancestral worship that enshrine and celebrate the spirits of ancestors. Typically, people return to their hometowns to celebrate Obon each year. Families gather, clean their graveyard and the shrine in their house, and light lanterns to welcome the spirits home. Mukaebi is the welcoming fire, or opening night of Obon. After the spirits spend a few days with family, the Bon-Odori dancers form a circle under the lanterns to guide the spirits back to the otherworld. This is the Okuribi, or culmination of Obon when the ancestors are sent back to the spirit world.

Details:
Beginning at 7:30 PM, registered participants can launch floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond to honor loved ones. Doors open right at 7:30 PM. There will be food and drinks for those in attendance, as well as a musical performance on Koto by Mirai Yasuyama. The cost of $35 includes a floating lantern. Observer (without lantern) is $25. Members must sign in to get $10 off at checkout. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

** In case of inclement weather, the lantern floating will be held the following evening, August 11th at 7:30pm