Obon Festival Returns to ABQ BioPark Japanese Garden
Celebrate the rich arts and culture of Japan while honoring loved ones.
Join the ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation, and more community partners for a night of Japanese arts and culture during the 2025 Obon Festival.
Obon is an annual Japanese holiday dedicated to commemorating ancestors and remembering loved ones. The festive yet tranquil event is known for its symbolic use of paper lanterns, which is 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 be held Friday, August 15 from 6:30-9pm at the BioPark Sasebo Japanese Garden (2601 Central Ave NW). Come dusk, guests will release floating lanterns into the Japanese Garden pond, giving way to a magical sight and special experience for many.
Beyond the lantern release, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities and performances celebrating the rich culture of Japan. Enjoy Japanese cuisine and refreshments while you observe a traditional tea ceremony, Taiko drumming, and Bon Odori traditional dancing.
Guests are also invited to make their own origami crane to hang in the bamboo grove, and there will be beautiful bonsai and Ikebana (flower arrangement) displays to admire and learn about.
Several engaging education stations will be on-site too, including a sumi-e painting station, haiku writing station, lantern decorating station, and more.
The Obon Festival will occur rain or shine, and purchasing tickets online in advance is highly recommended. Each ticket includes one floating lantern and access to the Japanese Garden, High Desert Rose Garden, and Heritage Farm. All other areas will be closed and some paths will close at 8:30 pm for safety. Visit the Obon Festival event page to purchase tickets and to view the full schedule of events. We look forward to seeing you there!