Visakhabousa Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Laos

Visakhabousa Day is celebrated by many in Laos to commemorate the day they believe that Buddha was born. It is also considered the day of his enlightenment experience and of his death.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2024	22 May	Wed	Visakhabousa Day
2025	5 May	Mon	Visakhabousa Day
2026	15 May	Fri	Visakhabousa Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Since the date is based on the Buddhist lunar calendar, it shifts each year on the Gregorian Calendar. However, it usually falls sometime in mid-May.

Religiously inclined Buddhists take the opportunity on Visakhabousa Day to visit a local temple, listen to a sermon, and to give offerings, worship ancestors, or perform “merit-making” rituals. Rituals include rising early in the morning to go to temple, circling the main hall of the temple while holding a lit candle, and offering incense or lotus blooms.

Many businesses close for the day, and all schools and government offices will shut down. Businesses are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages for a full day. And many buildings fly “the yellow flag of Buddhism”.

Previous Years

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2023	4 May	Thu	Visakhabousa Day
2022	16 May	Mon	Visakhabousa Day
2021	26 May	Wed	Visakhabousa Day
2020	6 May	Wed	Visakhabousa Day