The Bon Odori Festival 2024 Is Finally Happening this July 20!

Join the celebration of the Bon Odori Festival for free this July 20 at Panasonic Sports Complex Shah Alam! Organized by The Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur, and the Embassy of Japan, the event aims to foster and promote the cultural ties between the two countries.

From 7 PM to 10 PM, festivalgoers can expect colorful lanterns and lively music to keep the festive vibes throughout the event. Although the program starts at 7 PM, the gates will open by 4:30 PM. So, if you want the best view or more time to explore the place and feel the vibes, you can go early! And just in case you want to eat, there will also be pop-up food stalls where you can grab your favorite Japanese food and snacks.

As for the program, the event will officially kick off with an Opening Drum Performance by 7 PM, followed by the Bon Odori Dance Part 1 at 7:15 PM. For those who are not familiar with the dance, it features performers in traditional Japanese garb on an elevated wooden space called a yagura, swaying to the beat of traditional Japanese drums or taiko that play the tunes of folk songs.

At 8 PM, there will be a Japanese Wadaiko Performance, which will be followed by the second part of the Bon Odori Dance by 8:15. To keep the fun going, a guest will be performing on stage at 8:45 PM, so keep an eye out! Meanwhile, the third and last part of the dance will take place at 9:15. The celebration is then expected to end by 9:45 with a closing address.

The Bon Odori festival in Japan aims to honor and welcome the spirits of ancestors back for a short visit through a dance. For more information, check here. You can also pre-register for the event through the same link!