Penang Bon Odori Festival
Here is Penang, we are never short of both traditional and new celebrations and festivals. We will jump at any change to celebrate, so when the Consulate-General of Japan wishes to host an annual festival here in our very own ‘backyard’ we made this a memorable event for everyone with our friends in the land of the rising sun.
Penang Bon Odori Festival
After a year’s hiatus due to the election campaign, the Penang Bon Odori Festival is back with a vibrant line-up of events. Scheduled for July 27, from 5 PM to 11 PM at the Esplanade, the festival promises an immersive experience into the rich traditions of Japan.
Date: 27 July 2019
Time: 5pm -11pm
Venue: Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade), Penang
as well and the event fireworks at 10pm! 
“The Penang Bon Odori Festival is an annual cultural event celebrating the rich traditions of Japan, supported by the Penang government, the Consulate General of Japan, and several Japanese associations,” Wong Hon Wai, State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman.
We love festivals and while we hardly plan our visits to coincide with local festivals, we usually stumble upon one during our visit to Penang.
Here is a Japanese festival organized by the Consulate-General of Japan, Penang State Tourism Office and Bon Odori Organising Committee.
Even though Bon Odori is not a local tradition; Penangnites and expats alike would descend into Esplanade in celebration of the Japanese festival.
This festival, deeply rooted in Japanese history, has become a beloved part of Penang’s cultural calendar. With Penang being a truly international city, it not only celebrates Bon Odori but also hosts other cultural events such as the Thai Festival, German Oktoberfest, and the European Film Festival.
An age old Japanese Buddhist tradition, Bon Odori is celebrated once a year with dance and drums to honour and welcome the return of the spirit of ancestors whom are said to be visiting their families.
There will be live cultural stage performances, Bon Odori dances and games during the festival. You will also find stalls selling local and Japanese food and souvenirs.
Additionally, two pre-events aim to engage the public: the Miss Bon Odori contest and the Bon Odori Pop-Up Fest. The Miss Penang Bon Odori contest, a unique pageant celebrating Japanese culture, has resumed after a five-year break. Judging criteria include Yukata wearing, Japanese walking presentation, Bon Odori dances, talent showcasing Japanese culture, and a Q&A session related to Bon Odori and Japanese culture. Workshops and training sessions on Bon Odori dances, Yukata wearing, and Japanese walking will be conducted for successful candidates. The preliminary round will take place at 1st Avenue on July 20, with the final round scheduled for July 27 at the Esplanade.
This year’s Penang Bon Odori Festival promises to be a grand celebration, inviting everyone to come and enjoy the Japanese summer tradition. Mark your calendars for July 27 and join the festivities at the Esplanade for an unforgettable cultural experience.
Photos from Previous Celebrations
More Photos of the Event
We found some cool shots of the event from Sherwynd Rylan Kessler. Check out his FB Album “Bon Odori 2014”
Not expecting to shoot the performance, kimono or fireworks, just some random performance shots during the 1.5 hours there.
Also more photos from George Town, Penang Tourism FB page with close-ups from Lim Soo Peng.
You can find photos of the drum performance, traditional japanese dances and children out in their best as well as the officiating speech by the Chief Minister here.
Photos Courtesy of Lim Soo Peng
