2026 Seattle Bon Odori Festival | July 18-19

The event takes place on Saturday, July 18, from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Festivities continue on Sunday, July 19, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Saving space on the street along S. Main St. and within Wisteria View Park may begin at 6:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday.

For the safety of all, tents & canopies which extend into the street, block sidewalk access and/or have a height over 5-feet are prohibited.

To deter theft, please remove all personal affects on Saturday when leaving.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The festival is hosted at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The address is 1427 S Main Street, Seattle, WA 98144

All are welcome to join in the dancing and festivities. However, the event features a cashless payment system, and credit card readers will be used for purchasing food, drinks, and merchandise.

Yes! All are welcome to join in the dancing and festivities. For those wanting to learn the dances beforehand, practice sessions will be held in the Seattle Betsuin Gymnasium from 7:30-9:-00pm on July 7, 8, 9, 13, and 14.

We offer a wide variety of Japanese festival food including Yaki onigiri (grilled rice ball with Teriyaki sauce), Niku Don (beef bowl), Kori (shaved ice), Teriyaki chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, and more!

For those 21 & over, we have a Beer Garden serving draft beer, sake, seltzers and wine. Two Story Zori will be playing both evenings!

We highly encourage carpooling, or public transportation!

🚇 By Light Rail (Link Light Rail)

• Lines: Both the 1 Line (Lynnwood to Federal Way) and the newly opened cross-lake 2 Line (Lynnwood to Downtown Redmond via Bellevue/Mercer Island) serve the temple’s closest station.

• Closest Station: Get off at the International District / Chinatown Station.

• Directions to the Gym: Once you exit the station, head to street level at S. Jackson St. Walk east up S. Jackson St. for 4 blocks, then turn left on 14th Ave S. Walk 2 blocks North to reach the corner of S. Main St. and the gym entrance. (Alternatively, you can catch the First Hill Streetcar directly outside the light rail station and ride it for 2 stops).

🚋 By Streetcar (First Hill Line)

• Closest Stop: 14th Ave S & S Washington St

• Directions to the Gym: Once you exit the streetcar at 14th & Washington, simply walk North for 1 block along 14th Ave S. The gymnasium will be right at the corner of 14th Ave S & S Main St.

🚌 By Bus (King County Metro) There are several major bus routes that drop you off just one block away from the Temple along S Jackson St:

• Route 14, Route 7, Route 36, and Route 106 all frequently travel along S Jackson St.

• Closest Stops: Get off at the S Jackson St & 12th Ave S stop or the S Jackson St & 14th Ave S stop (depending on your route).

• Directions to the Gym: From S Jackson St, walk North for 1 block on 14th Ave S to reach the corner of S Main St and the gym entrance.

🚗 By Car (Parking)

• Temple Parking Lot: There is very limited paid parking lot located at the corner of 16th Ave S. and S. Main St. Our friends at Seattle Koyasan Temple located across Wisteria Park also have a parking lot available for a fee.

No! We encourage everyone to come as they are, and join us in dancing. If you do feel like dressing up, many people wear Happi Coat, Kimono, or Yuakata.

Check out Bachan’s (Grandma) Closet Sale in the gym, to find vintage treasures, including Kimono and Yukata.

Here are some helpful YouTube videos on how to dress in Kimono or Yukata:

• How to put on a Yuakta
• How to put on a Yukata (second video)
• How to tie a Women’s Obi
• How to tie a Men’s belt
• How to put on Yukata and tie an Obi