2027 Buddha's Birthday

Buddha's Birthday, celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, marks the birth of Gautama Buddha and is a public holiday in Korea; its official name was changed from Seokga Tansinil to Bucheonim Osinnal ('the day Buddha came') in 2017. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the solar date moves between late April and late May each year, and in some years it links with Children's Day on May 5 to form a longer break. Temples across the country hang thousands of colourful lotus lanterns, and Seoul hosts the Yeondeunghoe lantern parade through the Jongno district, a tradition inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020. On the day itself temples hold a ceremony that includes bathing a statue of the infant Buddha, and many serve free bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables) to visitors. A substitute holiday has applied since 2023 when the date falls on a weekend. This countdown ticks to midnight Korea Standard Time on Buddha's Birthday, based on the Korean lunar calendar.