Celebrate Buddha's Birthday over the long-weekend a festival south of Wollongong

Organisers said the celebration of Vesak would be very "colourful and joyous", with the beautiful Bathing of the Buddha ceremony, stalls and vegetarian food; along with a multicultural children's charity concert.

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The line-up includes the Australian Pipa Association, and young classical virtuosos from the Sydney Conservatorium's Rising Stars program - who will perform two concerts on Monday April 18.

"This multicultural event abides by one of the central precepts of Humanistic Buddhism-that of inclusivity and universal acceptance regardless of gender, race, creed and class," said Reverend Zhi Li from the Nan Tien Temple.

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"We hope that this performance brings light, love and peace into the hearts of everyone present while instilling a sense of hope for the future."

Tickets for the concert are $15 with all proceeds to be donated to the children's advocacy group Barnardos South Coast.

The Festival will include:

Nan Tien is one of over 200 branch temples of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order and is the largest Buddhist temple in the Australia.

The free festival runs 9am to 5pm from Friday April 15 to Monday April 18. Masks are required indoors.

More details are at: https://www.nantien.org.au/

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