6 major Buddhist holidays

The major holidays and special days of observance in Theravada Buddhism are listed below. Typically on these days, lay followers will go to the temple to make offerings of gifts, food, or other necessities to the monastic monks or nuns. They will listen to Dhamma talks, renew precepts, take the 8 precepts, and practice meditation too.

Uposatha

This day is known as observance day, there are four holy days on the New Moon, Full Moon, and quarter moon days every month.

Makha Bucha

Makha Bucha (also Magha Puja) also known as "Sangha Day" celebrates when 1,250 Arahants met nine months after the Buddha's enlightenment and where the Buddha gave important Dhamma instructions.

Vesakha

Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesaktha and is the most important festival of the year. It is celebrated on the first full moon day in May, but when it's a leap year it falls in June. It celebrates the birth, passing (paranibbana), and enlightenment of the Buddha.

Asalha Puja Day

Also known as "Dhamma Day" celebrates the Buddha's first teaching on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month, approximately July.

Kathina Ceremony

This robe offering ceremony is held on any date within the end of the Vassa Retreat. New robes and other requisites can be offered by the laity to the monks. It is usually in October or November.

Sanghamitta Day

Celebrated on the Full Moon day in December, this important day commemorates when the Arahant Ven. Sanghamitta (daughter of King Ashoka) went to Sri Lanka to teach Buddhism and set-up the bhikkhuni Order in Sri Lanka. She also went there with a sapling of the Bodhi Tree. This tree survives to this day, see: