Obon weekend: Aug. 16-17, Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens

If you're a fan of taiko drumming and Japanese culture, this annual event is right up your alley.

Obon Festival

• When: Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 16-17, 2025, opens at 10 a.m.
• Where: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach
• Cost: Taiko drumming $5-$10 (does not include museum admission).
• Website

Obon is a traditional Japanese festival and holiday observed to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors, who are believed to return  home for a short time to visit their living relatives.

Guests are invited to take a contemplative stroll through the gardens, fill out paper slips in memory of lost loved ones, plus enjoy live taiko drumming performances.

Schedule

Taiko Drumming:

• 11:30 a.m. – noon
• 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m .– 3 p.m.

Bon Dancing:

• 3:30 to 3:50 p.m. – Workshop to learn the Bon Dance
• 3:50 to 4:20 p.m. – Bon Dance Performance

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