Festivals through the year

Once the temple opens, its festivals are open to everyone in the Valley.

The temple courtyard at night under red and gold lanterns, with children holding lanterns

Tết Nguyên đán

Lunar New Year

Families visit the temple to pray for peace and blessings in the new year, with lion dancing, red lanterns and spring blossoms, even in the snow.

First day of the first lunar month, in late January or February.

A monk and families bathing a small statue of the Buddha in the courtyard

Phật Đản

The Buddha's birthday

Celebrated with the bathing of the Buddha, flowers, flags and lanterns. Families bring flowers and pour scented water over a small statue of the infant Buddha.

Full moon of the fourth lunar month, usually in May or early June.

A monk pinning a red rose on a young man beside his mother

Vu Lan

Gratitude to parents

The season of gratitude to parents and ancestors. People wear a rose: red for a mother who is living, white for a mother who has passed.

Prayers are said for parents, both living and passed.

Full moon of the seventh lunar month, usually in August or early September.

Children with star and carp lanterns in the courtyard at night

Trung Thu

Mid-Autumn Festival

The children's festival: star and carp lanterns, mooncakes and a lantern procession under the full moon.

Full moon of the eighth lunar month, in September or early October.

Dates move each year

The festivals follow the lunar calendar, so their dates change from year to year. Once the temple opens, it will post each year's dates. Get the news to hear them first.