Join the ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation, and other community partners for an evening of Japanese arts and culture during the 2025 Obon Festival. This annual Japanese holiday is dedicated to commemorating ancestors and remembering loved ones, featuring symbolic paper lanterns central to the celebration.
“As a sister city of Sasebo, Japan, we are honored to host this special event that brings the community together and allows them to honor loved ones while having fun and learning new things,” said Cesar Bustillos, BioPark science education coordinator. “The Obon festival is one of our most anticipated events here at the BioPark, and we have a lot in store for our guests.”
This year’s event will take place on Friday, August 15 from 6:30-9 pm at the BioPark Sasebo Japanese Garden (2601 Central Ave NW). At dusk, guests will release floating lanterns into the pond in the Japanese Garden.
In addition to the lantern release, attendees can enjoy activities and performances celebrating Japanese culture. These include traditional tea ceremonies, Taiko drumming, Bon Odori dancing, as well as sampling Japanese cuisine. Guests can also make origami cranes to hang in a bamboo grove or admire bonsai and Ikebana displays.
Educational stations will be available on-site with activities such as sumi-e painting, haiku writing, and lantern decorating. The festival will proceed rain or shine; advance online ticket purchase is recommended. Each ticket includes one floating lantern plus access to several gardens within BioPark.
For more information or tickets visit the Obon Festival event page.
