Buddhism festivals in 2026
Dates of Buddhism festivals in 2026, with the day of the week and how certain each date is.
Dates last checked on 2026-10-21. Lunar-calendar dates can differ by a day between regions.
February 2026
- Tue, Feb 17Lunar New YearCalculatedThe first day of the lunar new year. Celebrations last about fifteen days.
April 2026
- Mon, Apr 13 to Apr 15SongkranFixed date
- Tue, Apr 14Ambedkar JayantiFixed date
May 2026
- Fri, May 1Buddha PurnimaConfirmedThe date in India and Nepal. Vesak may be observed on a different date in some other countries.
How these dates were checked
Fixed and rule-based dates, such as Christmas or the third Monday of January, are exact. Easter, Islamic festivals (from the Umm al-Qura calendar), Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival and Hanukkah are calculated from their calendars. Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain festival dates were cross-checked against several independent published calendars, and a date is left out when they disagree. Because lunar festivals depend on the moon, always confirm the exact day with your local calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Which festivals are in 2026?
This calendar lists 56 festivals and commemorative days for 2026, including Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Jewish festivals, national days and global celebrations.
Are these festival dates official?
No. They are checked against several published calendars (last checked 2026-10-21), but they are not official government notices. Lunar-calendar festivals can differ by a day between regions, and festivals marked “Expected” depend on moon sighting. Confirm with your local authority, temple, mosque or government holiday list before making plans.
Why do many festival dates change every year?
Many festivals follow lunar or lunisolar calendars, whose years are not the same length as the Gregorian year, so the Gregorian date moves from year to year. Festivals tied to a fixed date, such as Christmas or Independence Day, stay on the same day.