LaLaport Bon Odori 2026 at LaLaport BBCC
If a trip to Japan isn’t on the cards for you this summer, you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity to don a traditional Japanese yukata and soak up a full-on matsuri atmosphere. Just keep this upcoming event on your radar: LaLaport Bon Odori 2026.
The annual Japanese summer festival is back at LaLaport BBCC for two weekends this August, with the Kuala Lumpur host mall transformed into a hotspot with cultural and idol performances, an anime marketplace, cosplay events, and a bustling food bazaar.
When & where is LaLaport Bon Odori 2026?
It’s time to practise your Japanese greetings – LaLaport Bon Odori 2026 is taking place at LaLaport BBCC over two weekends: 1st and 2nd August and 8th and 9th August. Fun activities will be spread throughout the mall, but you’ll find most of the main events at WoW Plaza on the Ground Floor and Central Rooftop Garden on Level 4.
What to expect at LaLaport Bon Odori
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
For the uninitiated, Bon Odori is a 500-year-old Japanese summer festival that celebrates music, dance, and food, held in Japan and in countries with diaspora Japanese communities.
In Malaysia, you can experience this festival, or matsuri, with pop culture woven in thanks to LaLaport Bon Odori. This is open to everyone of all ages, so don’t be shy about joining in on the festival’s highlight, the Bon Odori circle dance, even if you’ve never danced before.
Cultural & martial art performances
Beyond the Bon Odori circle dance, this year’s LaLaport Bon Odori stage lineup is packed with a slew of free cultural performances and presentations over two weekends. Over 20 of these shows take place each day of the 4-day festival, with one kicking off around every half hour from 1pm until as late as 9.30pm.
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
Catch a thunderous Wadaiko Japanese Drums performance by taiko drum group Wadaiko Syo that’ll get your heart racing. There’s also the energetic Yosakoi by Glanz International, a lively and colourful Japanese dance set to the rhythmic clacking of naruko, or wooden clappers.
Martial arts fans can also look forward to judo, kendo, and karate demonstrations alongside stage shows such as anisong covers, live DJ-ing, and magic tricks.
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
And of course, there’s the main event: the Bon Odori dance. During this dance, visitors are welcome to just watch the cultural spectacle or join in for a full experience. Here are the dates and times to catch this dance, and also the Japanese acts set to lead each segment:
- 1st Aug: KLP48 (4.30pm) | Acosta (7.30pm)
- 2nd Aug: Acosta (4.30pm) | KLP48 (7pm)
- 8th Aug: JKT48 (5.30pm) | Sayaka Yamamoto & Quadlips (7.30pm)
- 9th Aug: Sayaka Yamamoto & Quadlips (4.30pm) | JKT48 Dance (7pm)
A food bazaar & bluefin tuna cutting show
No matsuri is complete without the food, and LaLaport Bon Odori 2026 doesn’t hold back.
The festival’s Japanese Food Bazaar hosts over 40 food vendors dishing out delicacies such as yakitori, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and other summer festival street food staples from Japan.
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
Another highlight on the food front is the Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show by Hut Dining Buffet, happening only on 8th August at 1pm, at WoW Plaza. Skilled chefs will slice through a whole bluefin tuna live, an impressive spectacle followed by a delicious sampling session offered after the show. Be early for this, as the freshly sliced bluefin tuna samples will be limited.
Image adapted from: LaLaport BBCC
More Japanese treats await at the mall’s lower levels. There’s the Jaya Grocer Japan Fair at the Lower Ground Floor’s Main Atrium to shop Japanese produce and snacks, and also MiX Store’s Japanese Snack Fair at the Ground Floor’s Main Atrium with more tidbits.
Japanese music acts
LaLaport Bon Odori 2026 also has a stacked entertainment lineup for J-pop and idol fans.
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
KLP48, the Malaysian sister group of AKB48, will perform both weekends at the festival. On the second weekend, JKT48, the groups’ Indonesian sister unit, joins the performance lineup.
Regional idol group Quadlips also takes the stage the second weekend, alongside a special appearance by Japanese singer-songwriter Sayaka Yamamoto.
Cosplayer events & ACG markets
Fans of anime, comics, and games, or ACG for short, can expect some serious firepower from LaLaport Bon Odori 2026
acosta!, a huge Japan cosplay event series, sets up at the Exhibition Hall on Level 4 during the first weekend. It has anime merch and gaming gear, a professional photography service for cosplayers, live dance performances, and anisong DJ sessions to keep the festival vibes going.
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
The cosplayer fun continues over the second weekend, with local cosplayers getting a shot to represent Malaysia overseas at Pop Culture Hiroshima 2026 by taking part in the Pop Culture Hiroshima Cosplay Competition.
Rounding out the ACG offerings is the GoodDay ACG Market, running on both weekends at ACG Base on Level 2 and selected common areas on Level 1. Inspired by Japan’s doujin and creator market culture, it’s the perfect spot to discover indie creators, fan-made art, and original merchandise.
Cosplay enthusiasts will also want to keep an eye out for cosplayer Reika Arikawa, who’ll make a special appearance as part of the cosplay programmes.
Discover Japan’s best features & culture
Image credit: LaLaport BBCC
If you’re dreaming of your first – or next – trip to Japan, don’t miss the Hello, Japan! Discover Zone along the Ground Floor’s West Walkway. It introduces visitors to participating Japanese prefectures, tourism organisations, and universities, spotlighting regional attractions, travel experiences, and educational opportunities in areas like Hokkaido, Ibaraki, and Yamanashi.
It’s basically a mini travel fair to discover all the best of Japan in one spot, so you can start planning that Japan trip on your wish list whether you’re going as a tourist or a student.
Redeem exclusive rewards
Beyond the food and performances, there are classic games you’d associate with a Japanese matsuri for visitors of all ages to join in on, whether you’re with your kids, partner, or friends.
Complete 5 festival games to redeem a mystery gashapon gift, write well-wishes on wooden plaques to hang as part of the Ema wishing experience, and stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM30,000.
More fun redemptions during the mall-wide festival include a pass to the Yukata Experience, where you can dress up in traditional Japanese wear to soak in the festival atmosphere, and a 3-in-1 foldable bag, with a minimum spend of RM300 in up to two same-day receipts.
There’s also the Fly Me to Japan lucky draw for flight tickets to Japan with a minimum spend of RM300.
Celebrate Bon Odori with mall-wide festivities at LaLaport BBCC
Malaysian summer nights might not come with cherry blossoms or cool evening breezes, but that hasn’t stopped LaLaport BBCC from bringing a slice of Japan’s matsuri magic to the heart of KL.
Between the food, performances, cosplay, and games, Bon Odori 2026 is shaping up to be one of those events where you show up for one thing and end up staying for everything else. So grab your yukata, bring the whole gang, and head down to LaLaport BBCC this August for a Japanese summer festival experience without a passport.
Find out more about LaLaport Bon Odori 2026
This post was brought to you by LaLaport BBCC.
Cover image adapted from: LaLaport BBCC