Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon Festival 2026

The community relocated here after the internment, and the festival it runs every summer is a direct continuation of a tradition that survived displacement — which is worth knowing before you walk in, because it changes what the chicken teriyaki and the evening dancing actually mean. The Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple has been in Culver City, despite the Venice name, ever since.

July 18 and 19. Chicken teriyaki, udon, andagi, sushi, shave ice, carnival games, a silent auction, and Bon odori dancing in the evening. Free to attend. The temple community runs it the way temple communities run Obon: on the assumption that the people who know about it will come, and that anyone who stumbles in is welcome. Send it to the friend who collects small, real neighborhood traditions.

12371 Braddock Dr, Culver City — a 20-minute drive from Venice Beach, and the same weekend as the OC and West LA Obon festivals for anyone doing the full circuit.