Traditional culture in plain words
Buddha's Birthday (佛誕)
The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is Buddha's Birthday (佛誕), honouring the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. Chinese communities around the world keep this festival. In Hong Kong, Macau and some other places it is a public holiday. It falls on 24 May in 2026, 13 May in 2027 and 2 May in 2028.
At a glance
How the festivals began
The day is also called the Bathing of the Buddha festival (浴佛節). Legend says nine dragons sprayed fragrant water to wash the newborn prince — the Buddha as a baby. From this tale comes the ritual of bathing the Buddha: gently pouring scented water over a small statue of the infant Buddha.
In mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and overseas Chinese communities, temples hold bathing ceremonies, with sutra chanting and incense offerings. It is an important traditional festival shared across the Chinese world.
Traditional customs
Devotees visit temples to bathe the Buddha (浴佛), offer incense and light lamps; many eat vegetarian food for the day, and some release animals as a traditional act of kindness. In Taiwan, temples often set up a bathing stand, so visitors can ladle fragrant water over the statue with their own hands. In southern China and Hong Kong, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival — a traditional rite praying for peace — holds its parade and bun-scramble around the same time, one colourful local example.
Festival dates are converted from the lunar calendar and are for reference only. Customs vary a little from place to place. For temple and community events, please follow the organisers' announcements.