Seasonal event guide
Dates, times, towns, food notes, and a map for Hawaiʻi Island's 2026 bon dance season — temple by temple, from Hilo to Kohala and Kaʻū. Most are free, visitors are welcome, and event pages link through to the date-specific details.
Map
28 of 28 listings have map pins.
Full schedule
Each listing links to its event page and date page. We use “listed” language because temple schedules can shift during the season.
Dates
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Saimin, Spam musubi, chili with rice, baked goods, and hot dogs from a mission concession stand
Parking/access: Parking available at Honomū Hongwanji Mission; from Highway 19, turn at the Akaka Falls turnoff
Papaikou Hongwanji Mission · Papaikou · 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Dates
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Andagi and sweet bread
Dates
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Smoked meat bowls, chicken hekka, poke bowls, andagi, manapua, spam musubi, tonkatsu burgers, and anpan (based on 2024 temple concessions)
Dates
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission · Kealakekua · From 3 PM
Dates
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Curry stew with rice, teri burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, shave ice, preserved fruits, and baked goods from the Kona Daifukuji Taiko snack booth; temple gift shop open with snacks and drinks
Parking/access: Parking on the temple lawn until full; additional parking up above the temple
Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin · Hilo · 7 PM – 10 PM
Dates
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Andagi and festival food sold as a temple fundraiser
Dates
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Keei Buddhist Church · Hōnaunau / Kealakekua area · From 7 PM
Dates
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center · Hilo · 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Dates
Friday, July 24, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Hilo Hooganji Mission · Hilo · 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Dates
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Hilo Taishoji Soto Mission · Hilo · 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Chili rice, shave ice, and andagi from temple food concessions
Kurtistown Jodo Mission · Kurtistown · From 7 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home · Hilo · 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Dates
Friday, August 7, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Food trucks
Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission · Hilo · 7 PM – 9:30 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Andagi, saimin, hot dogs, and refreshments from temple concession
Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission · Holualoa / Kona
Dates
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Friday, August 14, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Hākalau Jodo Mission · Hākalau · 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Food: Thai Angels food truck, Poi Balls food truck, and mission concession stand
Parking/access: Limited street parking; temple is situated in a residential subdivision
Dates
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Kamuela Hongwanji Mission · Kamuela / Waimea · From 7 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Honohina-Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission · Ninole · 2 PM – 4 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Pāhoa YBA Hall / Puna Hongwanji community · Pāhoa · 3 PM – 6 PM
Dates
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Dates
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
Pāhala and Nālehu Hongwanji · Nāʻālehu · From 5 PM
Dates
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Map
Pinned on the guide map.
You do not need to know the steps. Join the outer circle, copy the person ahead of you, and step out whenever you need a break.
Food booths are common but not guaranteed in every listing. If dinner is the plan, open the event page and check the source note.
Cash, water, comfortable shoes, and patience for parking. Most dances are free and family-friendly.
Most bon dances are free to attend. Bring cash for food booths, games, crafts, and temple donations.
Yes. Visitors are welcome at bon dances. Step in when a song starts, follow the people ahead of you, and keep moving with the circle.
Many do, but food details vary by temple and year. We list food notes when a source mentions them; otherwise, check the event page and confirm with the host if food is important.
This guide was last updated June 2026. Dates and times can change, so confirm with the temple or organizer before making a long drive.
