BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — We’ve learned that Morikami sold out this year lantern festival in just 13 days — that’s a record for the extremely popular local event. If you manage to find a ticket, here’s the original press release with everything you need to know.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ popular fall celebration, Lantern Festival: In the Spirit of Obon, will return Saturday, Oct. 17 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The iconic local festival is inspired by Japan’s traditional three-day Obon holiday honoring ancestors and will include a breathtaking lantern floating ceremony, taiko drum performances, fireworks display, Japanese folk-dancing and more.
Expected to be a sold out event, tickets are available for purchase by Morikami Members now and will open to the general public Sept. 1. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
In addition to nonstop entertainment throughout the evening, Morikami’s lively street celebration, the ennichi street fair, will feature games and crafts for people of all ages, traditional Japanese street festival foods and shopping. Visitors can also enjoy the Kirin Beer Garden and Sake Station.
In keeping with the traditional Obon celebration, guests will have the opportunity to purchase paper lanterns to personalize with special messages to honor and remember their loved ones. When night falls, visitors will pay homage to those who have passed on as the lanterns are lit with candles and set afloat across Morikami Lake. As part of a traditional Japanese ceremony known as tōrō nagashi, the lanterns will create a myriad of lights that signify the guidance of departing souls after their brief visit to the living.
Morikami Members will enjoy discounted pre-sale tickets and a special members-only hour from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with an exclusive taiko drumming show, members-only sake selections and early bird lantern sales.
