BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — DELRAY BEACH, FL – Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will host its annual Obon Weekend on August 15-16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Obon is a traditional Japanese festival observed to honor the spirits of ancestors, who are believed to return home briefly to visit their living relatives. Visitors will be able to write the names of departed loved ones on memory slips and pay their respects at the bon altar of museum founder George Morikami, on display in the Kamiya Room next to the Membership Desk.
The weekend’s signature sound comes from Fushu Daiko, which will perform live taiko drumming in the Morikami Theater both Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members, in addition to paid museum admission, and can be purchased at morikami.org/event/obon-weekend. On the museum’s lakefront terrace, Fushu Daiko will also lead a Bon Odori dance workshop at 3:30 p.m. both days, followed by a live Bon dance performance at 3:50 p.m. that’s free with admission and open to anyone who wants to join the circle.
Guests can also mark the holiday by lighting a Guiding Light Lantern for $5 or taking home a Lantern at Home Kit for $8, both sold in the Morikami Museum Lobby. Kids can craft their own paper lantern during Family Fun Day in the Sakai Room on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free with admission. The museum is also offering its exclusive Launch the Lantern Dinner fundraiser on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., featuring a sit-down dinner, whiskey and sake tastings, personalized lantern decorating, live taiko drumming and a floating lantern presentation over Lake Morikami. Tickets are $200 per person at https://morikami.org/event/launch-the-lantern-dinner, with proceeds supporting the museum’s exhibitions, education, emotional wellness and expansion programs.
Obon Weekend admission is $16 for adults, $10 for children, and free for museum members. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
