Will Vesak 2026 celebrations overlap with May Day rallies in Colombo?

Because May 1 is both a Poya day and International Workers Day, Colombo will be very crowded. While political rallies occur in the afternoon, the Vesak lanterns and pandals are lit after dark. Note that the official State Vesak Festival for 2026 is actually designated for May 30 to align with traditional nakatha. I recommend visiting the Beira Lake area for the most peaceful lantern experience during the May 1 weekend.