When is Vesak?
Vesak 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, May 20, 2027
The full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha, usually in May (the date shown is Singapore's Vesak Day public holiday; years after 2027 are projections until announced). That's in 228 days.
until Vesak begins, in your time zone
Vesak is the most important day in the Buddhist year, honoring the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha with temple visits, meditation, lanterns and acts of generosity.
About Vesak
Vesak takes its name from Vesakha (Vaisakha), the lunar month in which, according to Theravada tradition, the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and passed away. Many Buddhists therefore remember all three events on one full-moon day. Devotees go to temple early, observe extra moral precepts, listen to teachings and meditate. They offer flowers, candles and incense, give food and alms to monks, and share meals with people in need. In some communities, worshippers pour water over a small statue of the infant Buddha, and streets and temples are hung with lanterns.
The modern international observance took shape in 1950, when the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, held in Colombo, asked governments to make the full-moon day of May a public holiday in honor of the Buddha. In December 1999 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 54/115 recognizing the Day of Vesak, and the UN has marked it at its headquarters and other offices since.
Buddhist countries calculate the date in different ways, so Vesak does not always land on the same day. In 2026, India marked Buddha Purnima on May 1, Sri Lanka chose the second full moon of May (May 30) on the advice of its senior monks, and Thailand and Singapore observed May 31. In 2027, India, Thailand and Singapore all list May 20. The date shown here is Singapore's Vesak Day public holiday as published by its Ministry of Manpower; dates after 2027 are projections until they are announced. Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea hold a separate Buddha's Birthday holiday on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.
Sources: United Nations: Day of Vesak, UN General Assembly resolution 54/115 (1999), Ministry of Manpower, Singapore: Public holidays. How we check dates.
How to mark Vesak
- Visit a local Buddhist temple or meditation center; many welcome visitors on Vesak and explain the rituals.
- Spend part of the day without meat or alcohol, a common way Buddhists observe the holiday.
- Set aside time for a guided meditation or a quiet walk focused on kindness and compassion.
- Donate food, blood or money to a charity, in the spirit of generosity the day emphasizes.
- Make a simple paper lantern with children and talk about the Buddha's life story.
Vesak dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday, May 12, 2025 |
| 2026 | Sunday, May 31, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, May 20, 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, May 9, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, May 27, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, May 16, 2030 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Vesak 2027?
Vesak 2027 is on Thursday, May 20, 2027. It falls on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha, usually in May (the date shown is Singapore's Vesak Day public holiday; years after 2027 are projections until announced). In 2028, it is on Tuesday, May 9, 2028.
What does Vesak celebrate?
Vesak commemorates three events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment and his passing into final nirvana. Theravada tradition holds that all three took place on the full moon of the same month.
Is Vesak the same as Buddha Purnima?
Yes. Buddha Purnima (or Buddha Jayanti) is the name used in India and Nepal, Visakha Bucha in Thailand and Waisak in Indonesia, though the exact day can differ between countries.
Is Vesak a public holiday?
No. Vesak is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.