Buddha’s Birthday is a significant public holiday in Hong Kong, celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, which typically falls in April or May. This day commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha. For business owners operating in Hong Kong, understanding this holiday is crucial for effective planning and operations.
Following are the days and dates of this holy occasion when Hong Kong will have a public holiday:
| Date | Day | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2020 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2020 |
| 19 May 2021 | Wednesday | Birthday of Buddha 2021 |
| 08 May 2022 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2022 |
| 09 May 2022 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2022 |
| 26 May 2023 | Friday | Birthday of Buddha 2023 |
| 15 May 2024 | Wednesday | Birthday of Buddha 2024 |
| 05 May 2025 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha 2025 |
| 24 May 2026 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2026 |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2026 |
| 13 May 2027 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2027 |
| 02 May 2028 | Tuesday | Birthday of Buddha 2028 |
| 20 May 2029 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2029 |
| 21 May 2029 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2029 |
| 09 May 2030 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2030 |
| 28 May 2031 | Wednesday | Birthday of Buddha 2031 |
| 16 May 2032 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2032 |
| 17 May 2032 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2032 |
| 06 May 2033 | Friday | Birthday of Buddha 2033 |
| 25 May 2034 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2034 |
| 15 May 2035 | Tuesday | Birthday of Buddha 2035 |
| 03 May 2036 | Saturday | Birthday of Buddha 2036 |
| 22 May 2037 | Friday | Birthday of Buddha 2037 |
| 11 May 2038 | Tuesday | Birthday of Buddha 2038 |
| 30 Apr 2039 | Saturday | Birthday of Buddha 2039 |
| 18 May 2040 | Friday | Birthday of Buddha 2040 |
| 07 May 2041 | Tuesday | Birthday of Buddha 2041 |
| 26 May 2042 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha 2042 |
| 16 May 2043 | Saturday | Birthday of Buddha 2043 |
| 05 May 2044 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2044 |
| 24 May 2045 | Wednesday | Birthday of Buddha 2045 |
| 13 May 2046 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2046 |
| 14 May 2046 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2046 |
| 02 May 2047 | Thursday | Birthday of Buddha 2047 |
| 20 May 2048 | Wednesday | Birthday of Buddha 2048 |
| 09 May 2049 | Sunday* | Birthday of Buddha 2049 |
| 10 May 2049 | Monday | Birthday of Buddha Holiday 2049 |
| 28 May 2050 | Saturday | Birthday of Buddha 2050 |
Note: Any holidays that fall on a Sunday will be replaced the following Monday.
In 2024, Buddha’s Birthday will be observed on May 15. This is a public holiday, meaning many businesses, government offices, and schools will be closed. It’s essential for business owners to plan ahead, as this can affect operations, staffing, and client interactions.
Familiarize yourself with local labour laws regarding public holidays. Employees are typically entitled to a day off with pay. Consider how this may impact your workforce and plan accordingly. For more details on public holidays, visit our Hong Kong Public Holidays page.
Understanding and respecting local traditions can enhance your business relationships and improve employee morale. Here are some ways to acknowledge Buddha’s Birthday in a professional context:
Consider organizing a team-building activity that focuses on mindfulness or community service, which reflects the values of Buddha’s teachings. This can foster a positive work environment and strengthen team bonds.
Acknowledge the holiday in your communications with clients. A simple message recognizing the significance of Buddha’s Birthday can go a long way in building rapport and demonstrating cultural sensitivity. For appropriate greetings, visit our Buddha’s Birthday Greetings page.
For those interested in exploring the significance of Buddha’s Birthday further, we recommend visiting our holiday greetings page for insights and greetings that can be shared with clients and employees, enhancing your engagement during this important time.
Buddha’s Birthday is not just a cultural observance; it is an opportunity for business owners to reflect on the importance of cultural awareness in their operations. By understanding the implications of this holiday and planning accordingly, you can ensure smooth business operations while fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace environment.
