Obon Celebration at the Buddhist Church of Oakland
Society for Asian Art and Asian Art Museum are separate non-profit organizations with separate memberships. Please use the appropriate registration buttons to register for Society programs.
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon experiencing Japanese food, culture, music and the Obon Odori dance, a centuries old ritual performed during the Obon festival, a Buddhist holiday honoring the spirits of the ancestors.
The festival opens at 1:00 p.m. with a food bazaar, an ikebana floral
exhibit and a Japanese tea ceremony. There will be various music performances, including traditional and modern Japanese music. We will meet at 3.00 p.m. in front of the church for a tour by Rev. Harry Bridge, during which he will explain the history of Jodo Shinshu - Pure Land Buddhism. After the talk, we will be escorted to a special seating area to enjoy the performances of the Bon Odori dancers and learn more about the Obon Festival culture they represent.
You are welcome to come early to enjoy the various activities on your own. Since parking is very limited, we encourage you to take BART, ride share services, or carpool.
Registration Policies
The Society for Asian Art's cancellation policy requires at least one week's advance written notice in order to receive a refund of registration fees. This excludes our Travel programs, which have separate cancellation policies, as well as any programs where a specific refund policy is stated on the event page. Your fees will be returned to you through a check in the mail. To cancel, please contact us.
For programs located within the Asian Art Museum, the museum entrance fee must be paid separately and is not included with your registration fee.
Please note that by registering for a program, you are giving consent to the SAA to be photographed or videoed as a participant.