OCO Natsu Matsuri 2026 at Tanaka Farms Irvine

OCO Natsu Matsuri returns Saturday, August 29, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. Programming includes taiko, ondo dancing, a float parade, games, craft vendors, karaoke (Japanese songs only), food from Tanaka Farms, a beer garden, and sake tasting.

Hosted by the Orange County Optimist (OCO) Club, Natsu Matsuri is a single-evening summer matsuri on a working farm, not a temple Obon weekend. If you went to OCBC Obon in July, expect a looser field-party rhythm: one sunset-to-night window, farm food, and a parade as the headline rather than two days of bon odori on asphalt.

What to expect

Taiko and ondo: OCO Club brings collegiate taiko groups and other performers to the farm stages. Ondo dancing is open to all; the steps are simple enough for first-timers, similar to the community-circle logic at Obon festivals.

Float parade: The signature moment is OCO's mikoshi-style float parade. Community groups decorate portable frames and carry them through the farm to taiko and ondo, many with lights as dusk settles. The float page invites any organization to design and enter a float for free (contact the organizer through the site if you want to participate, not just watch). Past schedules, including Rafu Shimpo's 2023 listing, placed the main float parade in the evening hours after taiko sets and ondo practice.

Food and drinks: Tanaka Farms and the OCO BBQ Crew handle savory food. A beer garden and sake tasting skew adult; games, craft vendors, and a boutique keep it family-friendly. Karaoke is Japanese songs only.

2026 partners: The festival is co-presented with the WWII Camp Wall, OCO Club, and Tanaka Farms, tying Japanese American community programming to an Irvine farm venue that also hosts other cultural weekends on the calendar.

Tickets and parking

Ticket and parking details:

• General admission is free; you purchase an admission/parking package online
• Pre-purchased parking is required ($27 per vehicle as listed for 2026, plus processing fee)
• On-site parking is limited; buy before you drive
• No walk-ins; attempted walk-ins are charged $10 per person
• No pets
• Street or shopping-center parking nearby is prohibited and may result in towing

This is the strictest gate policy among Orange County summer festivals: unlike free-entry Obon or night markets, you cannot simply arrive and find overflow parking on University Drive.

Practical planning

Tanaka Farms sits at 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612. The address is easy to miss on GPS; follow the organizer directions. Wear comfortable shoes for farm paths and standing through taiko sets.

Timing tips: The event runs 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. only. Arrive near 4:00 p.m. if you want food and games before taiko blocks fill in; stay through dusk for the float parade and lit floats. Matsuri attire (yukata, jinbei, festival colors) is encouraged.

Compared with other August plans: OCO Natsu Matsuri closes the month after K-PLAY! FEST (Aug 22–23) and Nisei Week (Aug 15–23). For a full OC August stack, see the Orange County events guide.

When: August 29, 2026 (4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Where: Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Purchase parking and admission packages before you go.