Humboldt Obon: An Ancient Festival with Local Flavor
Humboldt’s own Obon Festival brings Japanese Buddhist tradition that is over 1,400 years old to Arcata’s Creamery District on 9th Street in August with a dazzling wealth of performances, activities and other attractions to honor the spirits of our ancestors.
The 2026 annual festival on Sunday, Aug. 16, 3-7 p.m. is free and family- friendly, a Humboldt-style celebration with bon odori dancing, Humboldt Taiko performances, an ancestors’ tree, kids’ games, Asian food vendors, artists, and live music. Festival-goers are encouraged to wear kimono, yukata or other Japanese-style outfits, and a “lending library” of happi coats will be available to borrow for the festival.
Five years ago, Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) organized the first local Obon Festival, which brings together traditional elements like the dancing and drumming, a remembrance altar (butsudan), and a community ancestor tree hung with tanzaku/prayer tags. Also offered: Japanese snack food (musubi) and cosplay characters from the Japanese animated film “My Neighbor Totoro.” Rinban Gerald Sakamoto, formerly minister at San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, will again bless the festival.
Several HAPI “aunties” fondly remember past Obon celebrations. Marylyn Paik-Nicely, lead Obon organizer for its first four years, cherishes how “Rinban Sakamoto has shared the traditions and stories of Obon [and] brings us together in prayer and praise of our ancestors.”
Yumi Ozaki plays chappa (Japanese cymbals) during a Humboldt Taiko Obon performance. Mark Larson photo.
Bon folk dancing is a joyful community experience for newcomers and veterans. Annette Makino, previously a festival attendee and now a planning committee member, recalled, “Not having any practice, I wasn’t planning to join the bon dances, but a 90-something friend asked me to dance and I couldn’t refuse her. I had a lot of fun!”
Free weekly bon dance classes by Craig Kurumada run through Aug. 10 on Sundays (6-7:15 p.m.) and Mondays (7-8 p.m.), at Redwood Raks Collective, 824 L St., Arcata. For more information, call or text 707-496-6734.
Festival volunteers are still needed. Email hapi.humboldt@gmail.com to sign up.
HAPI builds and empowers our community by amplifying diverse voices and perspectives for a more engaged and inclusive future. Visit hapihumboldt.org/.
Terry Uyeki is a founding member of HAPI and the Obon Festival.
