Buddha Birthday Festival 2020 — CANCELLED

Overview

UPDATE: MARCH 16, 2020 — Organisers have announced that the 2020 Buddha Birthday Festival will no longer go ahead "to the announcement from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that all non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled".

To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.

Like commemorating the birth and life of famous figures? Like multicultural festivities that shed a light on diversity and harmony? If so, it's party time. Brisbane's annual Buddha Birthday Festival is back for its 24th year at South Bank — and yes, it is the biggest annual celebration of its kind in the world.

Running from Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 3, the 2020 program certainly aims to prove that claim once again, courtesy of three jam-packed days of tree blessing, candle lighting, lion dances, dragon boat regattas, origami, calligraphy, fireworks and more. In fact, there's always so much on the agenda that your best bet might be to head to South Brisbane and settle in for the long haul.

200,000 people are expected to do the same — and with hundreds performers and events on offer each year, you can't blame them. The festival isn't just about watching other people strut their stuff, though. With an international vegetarian food village serving up culinary delights, tea ceremonies keeping you hydrated, meditation sessions taking care of your mental bliss and more than 2500 red lanterns on display, this isn't just a feast of entertainment; it's a complete mind and body experience as well.

Images: Buddha Birthday Festival