- Western Australia's Buddhist community celebrates Buddha's birthday
- Cook Government supports festival with $30,000 in funding
- Popular two-day event now in its 33rd year
Maylands' iconic Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Western Australia will light up as the community gathers for the Buddha's Birthday and Multicultural Festival this Saturday, 11 April and Sunday, 12 April 2026.
The popular event returns for its 33rd year featuring cultural performances, immersive activities, a vegetarian food fair, guided meditations, and more.
The festival commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, and is also known as Vesak Day - the most significant date in the Buddhist calendar. It is celebrated by communities around the world.
Hosted by the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple WA, Buddha's Light International Association Western Australia, and the Nan Tien Institute, the Buddha's Birthday and Multicultural Festival is expected to attract up to 20,000 visitors over the weekend.
This year's festival theme is 'Harmony and Peace' with highlights such as mindful art sessions, multifaith prayers for peace led by faith leaders from diverse religions, as well as a storytelling session led by Noongar storytellers that blends stories, sound, and tea.
This vibrant two-day celebration is supported by the Cook Government with $30,000 through the Office of Multicultural Interests' Community Grants Program.
As stated by Multicultural Interests Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The Buddha's Birthday and Multicultural Festival has been bringing the WA community together for more than three decades and is a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the different cultural celebrations and enjoy a fun family event.
"I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in these celebrations which bring thousands of people together in the spirit of harmony, peace, and intercultural understanding.
"The Cook Government recognises the significance of cultural celebrations in providing culturally diverse communities the opportunity to share cultural traditions and foster WA's vibrant multicultural mosaic."
