BUDDHIST HOLIDAYS

When asked for a list of Buddhist holidays, we should note that Buddhist holidays vary according to the lineage of the practitioner. In addition, they are traditionally defined by lunar calendars, and then may be transposed onto the nearest weekend. There are no Buddhist-specific holidays that require study accommodations from the university. Here is a list of some common Buddhist holidays.

Bodhi Day/ Enlightenment Day (December 8th on the Gregorian calendar) Bodhi Day celebrates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautam (Shakyamuni Buddha), awakening to become the Buddha while sitting under the Bodhi tree. He realized the root of suffering and how to be free of it. It is either celebrated on the 8th of December or on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, in other calendars. It is often observed with meditation and study.
Buddha's Birthday, Korea (date subject to change/ May 24,2026) In Mahayana traditions, Buddha’s Birthday, Enlightenment, and Parinirvana are celebrated with distinct holidays. In Korea, many lotus lanterns are hung, and there are cultural performances and special services at the temples.
Hanamatsuri/ Buddha’s Birthday, Japan (date subject to change/ April 8, 2026) On this date, Japanese temples celebrate the Buddha’s birth by bathing the baby Buddha in sweet tea, and through a festival of flowers.
Losar (date subject to change/ Feb 18-20, 2026) The Tibetan New Year is celebrated by visiting temples, lighting butter lamps, cultural performances, family gatherings, momos and traditional noodle soup.
Lunar New Year (date subject to change/ February 17, 2026) The Chinese and Vietnamese New Year is celebrated by visiting temples, lion dances, family gatherings and firecrackers.
Theravadin New Year/ Songkram (date subject to change/ April 13-15, 2026) Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is a vibrant and joyous Buddhist holiday celebrated in Thailand and several other Southeast Asian countries. Lasting for three days in mid-April, the festival marks the transition from the dry season to the traditional Thai New Year and is characterized by its exuberant water rituals. Songkran is also a time for paying respects to elders and visiting temples, where offerings and prayers are made to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. This cherished celebration embodies the essence of unity, joy, and spiritual reflection, making it an unforgettable experience for all who take part in its festivities.
Chuseok/ Mid-Autumn Festival (date subject to change/ Sept 25, 2026). Chuseok and Mid-Autumn festivals are harvest festivals at which the ancestors are honored, often in the countryside, and traditional foods are enjoyed.
Vesak (date subject to change/ May 1 or May 31, 2026) Also known as Buddha's Day, this Theravada Buddhist festival observes the birth, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha on the full moon of the second lunar month. This is primarily celebrated in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. In Mahayana Buddhist countries, especially in Northeastern Asia, the birth of the Buddha alone is normally celebrated on Vesak.
Saga Dawa Duchen (Date subject to change/ May 31, 2026) Tibetan Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death (parinirvana) of the Buddha during Saga Dawa, the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. During this time temples are visited, pilgrimages are made, and donations are given to monasteries and to the poor. Meat is not eaten and captive animals may be set free. The full moon is considered the most significant time for observances.