Bon dance · Hilo, Big Island
Hale Anuenue Bon Dance 2026
Hosted by Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center
- When
- Jul 24, 20266 PM – 7:30 PM
- Where
- Hilo, Big IslandGet directions
- Host
- Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center
Sources
Dates and times can change — confirm with the organizer before you go. Historical dates reflect advertised schedules; a past date alone does not confirm the event took place.
Date
- Friday, July 24, 2026, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Farmers markets this weekend
Plan your weekend on Big Island
While you’re out for Hale Anuenue Bon Dance, see who else is open — and meet the makers and farmers behind Hawai‘i’s markets.
About bon dances
Bon dance (bon odori) is the centerpiece of obon, the Japanese Buddhist season honoring ancestors. In Hawaii the tradition arrived with plantation-era immigrants and became its own local institution — most temples across the islands hold a dance on a summer weekend between June and September, and the whole community turns out.
The setup is consistent: a yagura (a raised tower) anchors the temple yard, taiko drummers and singers keep the beat, and dancers move in concentric circles around the tower. You don't need to know the steps or be Buddhist to join — follow the circle, copy the person ahead of you, and you'll pick it up by the second song. Around the edges you'll find food booths selling andagi, plate lunches, shave ice, and saimin, plus craft and game tables.
- No experience needed — step into the circle and follow along.
- Come hungry; the food booths are half the reason people go.
- Bring small cash for food, games, and craft tables.
- Dances run rain or shine and are free to attend.
What’s worth a trip this weekend
One email a week: the makers worth seeking out, pop-ups, and Hawai‘i cultural events worth planning around.