Check out these two cool and free events happening in the neighborhood this weekend, in addition to the movies at Clark Park (Friday, 7 p.m.), 40th Street Summer Series concert (Saturday, 6 p.m.), and Back 2 School Extravaganza at Malcolm X Park (Sunday, 2-6 p.m.). For more events, or to submit an event please visit our Events Calendar.

Philadelphia Obon Festival at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore)

Sunday, 2-5 p.m.

Here’s a great chance to learn more about Japan and its culture at the third annual Philadelphia Obon Festival taking place in Clark Park this Sunday. The festival is presented by the Japanese House and Gardens. Activities include a participatory Bon Odori circle dance, a Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese music, including taiko drumming, and more. Guests can also enjoy delicious Japanese/Hawaiian street food on sale from Poi Dog Philly food truck. This is a free and fun event for both adults and children.

Philly Zine Fest at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut)

Sunday, noon-7 p.m.

Also on Sunday, The Rotunda is hosting the annual festival celebrating independent publishing – the Philly Zine Fest. Nearly 40 exhibitors will present their publications, from radical to informative to humorous. West Philly’s independent publishing center, The Soapbox, will also participate in the event. Check out an article by Philly.com with some more details about the fest. Here‘s the event’s Facebook page. Free admission.

Here’s a rare chance to celebrate Japanese culture and learn a few traditional dances in the neighborhood: the Japanese festival of O-bon, or just Bon, is coming to Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore on Sunday, Aug. 25. O-bon is a celebration that honors the spirits of the dead and is usually held over three days. This is the time when the Japanese visit and clean the graves of their ancestors and place floating lanterns on the water to symbolize the return of the spirits to the otherworld.

O-bon has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon Odori, or Bon Dance. The Bon dance is performed to welcome the spirits of the dead. It varies from region to region in Japan, but it is intended for group participation and is easy to learn (check out video below), so everyone is welcome to learn it this Sunday.

The O-bon festival will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and is absolutely free and open to the public. For more information about O-bon and Sunday’s event, visit: http://phillyobon.org/.