Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival

There are few surer cures for a child-size case of crankiness than a sunny afternoon in Como Park; if you need a further excuse, this day’s-worth of traditional Japanese holiday fun is a sure bet. There’s plenty of visually spectacular entertainment to immerse them in, from taiko drumming by Theater Mu and martial arts to the twilight obon ceremony at the heart of the festival, in which dozens of lanterns are floated in Como’s frog pond to honor the dead. This year, the festival adds a meditation tent where you can center yourself with the help of folks from Clouds In Water Zen Center, and a bon odori street dance—put on your dancing clogs and join in. Hungry? Nibble on dishes like sushi and yakitori—or hot dogs, if you want to go that route. Just don’t forget to say domo arigato . Como Park, (651) 487-8200