Morikami Museum to celebrate Obon Weekend with Japanese Festival

Fushu Daiko performers demonstrate taiko drumming at the Morikami Museum. [Photos by Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens]

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will celebrate the Japanese tradition of Obon during its annual Obon Weekend on Aug. 15 and 16, offering two days of cultural performances, family activities and workshops.

Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the festival honors the spirits of ancestors, who are believed in Japanese tradition to return home for a brief visit with their living relatives. The weekend features taiko drumming, Bon dancing, children's activities, memorial tributes and a special fundraising dinner.

Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to honor departed loved ones by writing names and personal messages on memory slips in a quiet space for remembrance. Guests may also pay their respects at the bon altar of museum founder George Morikami, which will be displayed in the Kamiya Room.

Live taiko drumming performances by Fushu Daiko will take place in the Morikami Theater on both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members, in addition to paid museum admission.

A Fushu Daiko drummer performs onstage during a previous Obon Weekend. [Photo by Morikami Museum]

Visitors can also participate in a traditional Bon Odori workshop led by Fushu Daiko at 3:30 p.m. on both days on the museum's lakefront terrace. The Japanese folk dance, performed in unison to honor the spirits of departed loved ones, will be followed by a live Bon dance performance at 3:50 p.m., where participants are invited to dance alongside the taiko drummers. The workshop and performance are included with museum admission.

Families can take part in a variety of interactive activities during the weekend.

Children are invited to create paper lanterns during the Family Fun Day: Lantern Craft on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sakai Room. The activity is free with museum admission.

Illuminated Obon lanterns float on Lake Morikami in remembrance of departed loved ones. [Photo by Morikami Museum]

Guests can also purchase Guiding Light Lanterns for $5 or Lantern at Home Kits for $8, allowing families to continue the Obon tradition at home by welcoming the spirits of loved ones.

The weekend concludes with the museum's Launch the Lantern Dinner fundraiser on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The exclusive evening features a gourmet dinner paired with whiskey and sake tastings, opportunities for guests to personalize their own Obon lanterns, live taiko drumming and a floating lantern presentation on Lake Morikami. Proceeds will support the museum's exhibitions, education initiatives, emotional wellness programs and future expansion. Tickets are $200 per person.

Audience members watch Fushu Daiko perform traditional Japanese taiko drumming during a previous Obon Weekend. [Photo by Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens]

Admission to Obon Weekend is $18 for adults, $12 for children and free for museum members.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach.