2024 Seattle Bon Odori

Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21 from 2:00pm-8:00pm

Join us to celebrate the 92nd annual Seattle Bon Ododri! Seattle Bon Odori is an annual Seafair sanctioned community event, hosted by the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. Read more about the history of the Buddhist holiday Obon by our head minister, Rev. Katsuya Kusunoki.

Food booths, Food Trucks and Beer Garden will open at 2:00pm both days. Two Story Zori will be live in the Beer Garden on Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00pm and Sunday from 5:00 – 8:00pm. A full event schedule will be posted here shortly. Check out our Facebook for more updates!

Two Story Zori in the Beer Garden both evenings!

Event Schedule

Saturday, July 20

Sunday, July 21

Dance Lineup (same for Saturday & Sunday)

Site Map

2024 Seattle Bon Odori – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When can we start to reserve spots along the street? Will canopy tents be allowed?

Saving of spaces may begin at 6:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. All personal effects are left at your own risk and should be removed when you depart as these supplies are coveted by many homeless people in the neighborhood.

A restriction on pop-up tents lining S. Main Street remains as they create safety hazards for dancers/pedestrians as well as limiting “line of sight” for security personnel. Single person folding chairs with shade protection or personal sunshades tents are allowed, if maximum height is no more than 5 feet.

Is there parking available?

Yes, we will have limited parking in the upper grassy field of Wisteria View Park, directly across from the Temple for $25. Handicap access spaces are available in the paved section of the parking lot. Seattle Koyasan Buddhist Temple on the corner of S. Washington and 16th South will also have parking. Parking is limited, so we encourage taking public transportation/carpooling!

What public transportation options are available?

Seattle Street Car: First Hill Line stops at 14th and Washington. King County Metro: See the trip panner website, King County Trip Planning

What changes can we expect at 2024 Bon Odori following the Arson fire that occurred at the Temple in December?

Most of our Temple buildings remain closed for cleaning and repair. During the initial and secondary fire, significant smoke and water damage was incurred. We will not have any access to our Hondo (sanctuary) and gym.

We will hold a short Bon Odori service at the stairs to the main portion of the Temple at 3:45 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Two activities usually found in the gym, may be found in Wisteria View Park, these are the Japanese game of “Go”, hosted by the Seattle Go Center and personalize a small paper cut-out chochin (lantern) in memory of a special loved one.

While this year may look different than previous years due to the arson, we felt it was important to honor and celebrate Obon season together with our community in-person.

What food options will be available?

The Temple will offer a limited menu of teriyaki hamburgers, hot dogs, gyoza, roasted corn and kori. We are also working to supplement your hunger needs with local Food Trucks. Of course, we will have the Beer Garden open in the back of the Temple with Kirin draft beer, Washington wine, sake, plum wine and seltzers.