Toro Nagashi Floating Lantern Ceremony

Free to attend. Lanterns must be purchased in advance.
In the spirit of the Japanese ceremony Tōrō Nagashi, please join Shinzen Garden for our 40th annual floating lantern ceremony. As the sun sets on Saturday, August 16, 2025, glowing lanterns will be released onto the water, symbolizing peace, remembrance, and gratitude.

Traditionally, this Japanese ceremony honors the memory of loved ones. During the festival of Obon, it is believed that ancestors come back to spend time with the living. On the final evening of the festival, paper lanterns are set afloat to accompany the spirits as they depart for another year.

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Lantern Decorating
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Food Trucks - Grobak Sushi, Harry's Mexican Grill and Kona Ice of Fresno
7:15 pm - Fresno Gumyo Taiko Drum Performance
7:30 pm - Lantern Launch

Limited quantities of lanterns are available, please note – we cannot allow guests to bring and float their own lanterns. Lanterns sell out each year, so be sure to purchase yours early! Each lantern purchase includes the lantern and up to four (4) names to be read by the event emceee during the lantern launch.

You may also like the following events from Shinzen Friendship Garden, in Woodward Park:

• Next month, 9th August, 10:30 am, Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony in Fresno
• Next month, 23rd August, 01:00 pm, Seasons of Stories Book Club - August Meet Up in Fresno

Also check out other Festivals in Fresno, Food & Drink events in Fresno.