Brisbane is about to celebrate Buddha’s birthday with one of the largest festivals in the world. South Bank is the place to be for a weekend of festivities.

Toby Rowen reports.

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It is the most celebrated day on the Buddhist calendar, and one that showcases the importance of happiness and peace on earth.

Ralph Smith, Buddha’s Light Association: “If everyone lives by that philosophy we will have a much better world.”

This is the 21st Buddha’s Birthday Festival to take place in Brisbane and attendees are gearing up for what is sure to be a spiritual and multicultural experience.

There will be over 1,000 traditional Chinese lanterns lighting up the parklands each night.

Their origins date back nearly 2,500 years to the Han Dynasty, where they were believed to bring good luck.

Ralph Smith, Buddha’s Light Association: “We have a couple messages, one is thinking three good deeds which is thinking good thoughts, saying good words and taking good actions.”

More than 2,000 people are expected to enjoy 180 different events making the celebration one of the largest of its kind in the world.

With festival proceedings expected to fully kick off this weekend, event organisers are predicting a spirited display of colour and culture.

Toby Rowen, QUT News.