August 22 | Bon Dance Festival
GREENVILLE, SC—The Japanese Association of South Carolina (JAASC) presents its annual Bon Dance Festival on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at McAlister Square. The festival mimics similar festivals held in Japan around the holiday of Obon (or “Bon”), a fusion of the ancient Japanese belief in ancestral spirits and a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors.
The festival is free. Tickets can be purchased for activities, bento boxes, raffles, and festival games (though bento boxes sell out early). Some vendors may accept cash only.
Available activities include:
- Japanese Lottery
- Yoyo Fishing & Strikezone
- Calligraphy practice
- I-Go board games
- Japanese goods
- Japanese crafted goods
- Origami
- Omikuji fortunes,
- Yukata Dressup
The Bon Dance Festival includes Bon Odori, which is performed in colorful kimono, yukata, and happi coats. The Bon Dance Festival represents an energetic mix of traditional festival activities, some local vendors, and foods. The festival is volunteer-operated and organized by JAASC’s Japan Affairs committee every August in Greenville, SC as a fundraiser for nonprofit operations and programs.
Bon Dance Festival
Saturday, August 22, 2026
12:00 pm—4:30 pm
McAlister Square
225 S. Pleasantburg
Greenville, SC 29607
jaasc.org