If you have a chance to attend a festival during
your stay in Myanmar, don’t miss it! It is a worthwhile experience.
We will try to include it in your itinerary if there is any
interesting festival.
Myanmar is known as land of festivals. Every month based on the lunar
calendar there are important religious festivals, most of them of
Buddhist nature. They usually take into account the given facts of
the time of the year (e.g. the Water festival comes in the hottest
time, donation of rice-cake takes places after the harvesting time)
Those festivals are usually visited by rural people, some villagers
travel for days by oxcart and stay overnight for the festivals.
People wear their best clothes, there is a lot of activity in the
pagodas and usually many food stalls open.
The
most important festival is the Water festival during middle of April
(at the same time as the Water festival in Thailand), which lasts
for 4 or 5 days. During those days, people pour each other water
over the shoulders (although the water cups today sometimes are
replaced by fire hoses) to wash away the bad things of the old year.
“Mouk loun je baw” is eaten, a cake made from rice.
The last day of the Water festival is the Myanmar New Year. On the New
Year’s Day, people go to the pagodas and monasteries to make
offerings to the monks. Animals are let free which is believed to
bring the people good luck and not to be held captive in their next
live.
The elder people are respected by others washing their hair and
cutting their nails.
“Private” festivals are held, e.g. when boys or girls become monks or
nuns. Every boy usually will go during his childhood for up to 10
days to the monastery, the novitiation (e.g. hair cutting and
wearing monks robe the first time) is an important event.
During the festival days, especially elder people will follow the 8
precepts (basic behaviour rules for Buddhists)
Some of the ethnic tribes in addition celebrate their New Year
Festivals at other times according to their customs.
The New Year based on the Gregorian calendar is not celebrated
widely.
In the past, puppet theatre was a part of most; sometimes daylong;
festivals. The habit of Puppet theatre unfortunately is not popular
anymore amongst Myanmar people. Therefore the only chance to see one
is on those occasions made for foreigners.
| Starting Date |
Events & Festivals in Year 2018 |
City |
|
25 December -16
January |
Ananda
Pagoda Festival
There are evening entertainments such as Zats: a variety of dances,
songs, short and long plays, Anyeints: a performance of a few hours in which
number of jokers caricature current situations and or person strung together
by a traditional dances, popular movies shown in open air. It is also a
popular sales fair where all kinds of goods, some of them are locally
produced and sold. The most interesting aspect of this festival is the
caravan of bullock carts in the pagoda compound, camped under the shady trees.
It is very crowded around the full moon day on 31 January 2018. There may be
noise from loudspeakers everywhere during festival. |
Bagan |
|
04 January |
Independence Day
Celebrations organized by the government at People's Park in Yangon and
across the whole country. Ceremonies start as early at 04:20 a.m. and are
usually attended by special invited guests.
General Public celebrates in their respect wards and tracks various kinds
traditional games (adults arrange for children for fun) in the morning time
up to the afternoon in their particular wards (especially in Yangon).
All government offices and markets are closed. |
The whole country |
|
07-11 January |
Kachin Manaw Festival (State Day Festival)
Kachin Manaw Festival in Myitkyina, Kachin State day is on 10 Jan 2018,
the festival will be held three days ahead of Kachin State day.
But they celebrate once in 4th year or 10th year. Please check with us
whether celebrate or not. |
Myitkyina /
Kachin State |
|
14-15 January |
Naga New
Year festival
On the 1st day, an opening ceremony is held in the morning and in the
evening there is traditional dance with bonfires. On New Year day they have
a competition of traditional sports, and gathering of sub-tribes of Naga,
once fierce worriers in their bright and exotic dresses, celebrate with rice
wine roasted meat and tribal dances performed with loud beating of drums. |
Chin State |
|
24-31 January |
Mahamuni Ceremony
This ceremony in which a number of monks chant Buddhist scriptures
non-stop is held by the Burmese calendar from 8th Waxing day till full
moon day). ,The full moon day is: the real festival days with evening
entertainment such as Zats (a variety of dance, song and short & long
plays), Anyeints (a performance of a few hours in which a number of
"Jokers" (usually four) caricature current situations and / or persons
strung together by a traditional dancer) and popular movies shown in
open air. In the day time, there are many stalls selling various kinds of
Myanmar snacks displayed in continuous rows of long tables.
On the 1st day, there is a communal offering of food (dry rations) and
various domestic articles to monks from the 100 nearby monasteries. |
Mandalay |
|
24 January - 01 February |
Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival (at Syriam, near Yangon)
Most of the pagoda festivals have evening entertainments such as
Zats, Anyeints, some stage shows and movies shown in the open air
the whole night for every day. Villagers nearby come to the festival by
motor bikes, Tuk-Tuk or ox-carts (rare to use nowadays), which can
be seen just before and on full moon day. |
Kyaik Khauk
Pagoda (Syriam,
near Yangon) |
|
30 January |
Htamane (Glutinous rice) Festival
Htamane (Glutinous rice) Festival is held on the eve of the day before
full moon day in one night on Shwedagon Pagoda (start from around
4:00 p.m.). This is a competition between teams of men for donation
of Glutinous rice to the great Lord Buddha at early morning on full
moon day. There are lots of people enjoy watching the demonstrations
and when finished, Glutinous rice are distributed as donation to people
and followed by the prize giving ceremony for the winners. |
On Shwedagon
Pagoda |
| 31 January |
Full moon Day of Taboetwe
|
The Whole Country |
|
31 January |
Alaungdaw Kathapa Pagoda (lighting) Festival
Alaungdaw Kathapa Pagoda (lighting) Festival is held on the full moon
day.
It is crowded with the local people from surrounding area and far
distances. The festival is held by lighting to the Pagoda and National
Cave. |
North-west of
Monywa |
| 03
February |
Feast of Shan Harvest day
The festival is usually celebrated in the rural regions of Shan State. |
Shan State |
| 07
February |
Shan State day
|
Taunggyi |
12
February |
Union day
Celebrations arranged by the government at People's Park in Yangon
and across the whole country. Mostly early morning. All offices and
markets are closed (the whole country) |
The Whole Country |
15 February -01
March |
Maw-Tin Pagoda Festival |
Ngapudaw, near
Pathein |
15 February -01
March
|
Shwe Saryan Pagoda Festival
45 minutes drive from Mandalay on the way to Pyin Oo Lwin
(Maymyo) near Hton Bo. You can also take a small boat on the
Douhtawaddy River and visit the pagodas nearby. Myanmar traditional
toys, boxes, baskets and mats made of dried toddy palm leaves are
the best selling village products in this festival. |
Shwe Saryan
Village in
Patheingyi
Township near
Mandalay |
16 February
|
Chinese New Year
Celebration starts from New Year day about 10 days. The lion and
dragon dances are festivities of New Year. Red and gold colors are
lucky color for Chinese so houses and shops are decorated with that
color at New Year. On the New Year Eve Day, all family members
gather together, pay respect to ancestor and have meal to be a good
year. Next tradition of Chinese is giving a present or money in red
envelope, called Ann-pond, from old people to young single people.
On the eve and New Year days, really crowded at china town and
Chinese temple. Festival is held the whole country, but only crowded
in big cities (e.g. Yangon & Mandalay). |
The Whole Country |
17 February - 01 March
|
Pakhan Ko Gyi Kyaw Festival
Regional Nat Festival like Taung Byone and Yadanar Gu. (Shwe Gu
Ni Village between Pakokku and Mingyan) |
Shwe Gu Ni
Village between
Pakokku and Mingyan |
| 22 February -01
March |
Indawgyi Festival
Ca. 160 km from Myitkyina. At least 8 hours drive to Indawgyi Lake.
This festival is held annually for ten days. One intriguing fact is that
two sandbanks are washed up by the waves before the festival begins
so that people can walk from the bank to the pagoda. People believe
that one is for human use and the other is a passage for the gods
these two sandbanks disappear into the lake shortly after the festival. |
Hopin, near
Myitkyina |
|
23 February -01
March |
Zalun Pyidawpyan Image Festival
Zalun is situated near Hinthada town in Ayeyarwaddy Division.
The pagoda is crowded with the local people and there is a festival
market also. |
Zalun Town |
24 February -01
March |
Baw-gyo Festival
Once a year, only during the festival days, the locked up "four Buddha images" are brought out for display, worship and gilding with gold leaf.
We can see tea-growing Palaung tribes from the hills and jewelers from Kyauk Me who try and sell their products there. Many kinds of
gambling are allowed during the festival days only. |
near Hsipaw |
| 26 February -02
March |
Kakku Pagoda Festival
On 04 March, alms offering is carried out by the native Pa-O people
dressed in their traditional black outfits. There is a festival market also.
The best time to see the festivities is on 04 March (full moon day). |
Kakku near
Taunggy |
|
26 February -02
March |
Pindaya Cave Festival
It is held on 09 to 13 March on full moon day 12 March in Pindaya with
offerings made by the native tribes such as Danu, Pa-O, Taung Yoe
and Palaung. Festivities include performances with roaming artisans
and the festival market. |
Pindaya
|
|
28 February -02
March |
Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival (Shwe Myin Tin Pagoda)
Similar to most of the pagoda festivals with most of the ingredients as
in the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival. It is a famous pagoda festival in
Pyin Oo Lwin. In addition, we can observe several Shan and other
ethnic groups who come from the hills to sell their products. |
Pyin Oo Lwin
(Maymyo) |
|
28 February -02
March |
Nay Win Taung Pagoda Festival
Same as Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival. Traditional Shan festival. It takes
place in the northern part of Pyin Oo Lwin, about an hour's drive from
the downtown area. |
Pyin Oo Lwin
(Maymyo) |
|
01 March |
Full moon Day of Tabaung
Ceremonies are held at Pagodas all over the country and most of the
famous pagodas are very much crowded with local people. People
celebrate today by donating drinking water and juices at pagodas and
in some wards and streets, people donate traditional foods. Everyone
can enjoy it.
|
The whole country |
|
02 March |
Peasant's
Day |
The whole country |
|
27 March |
Armed Forces Day
Celebration arranged by the government at Nay Pyi
Taw. Ceremony starts at very early around 3:00 a.m. and can usually not be
attended by the public. All government offices are closed. |
Nay Pyi Taw |
|
24 March - 04 April |
Shwemawdaw
Pagoda Festival
Same with the other pagoda festival. There are evening entertainment
such as Zats, Anyeints, stage show and also a popular sales fair where all
kinds of goods, most of them are clothes, toys and kitchen supplies. (not
expensive one) |
Bago |
|
13 - 16 April |
Water
Festival
Myanmar people celebrate the famous water festival called "Thingyan".
One cannot avoid of getting very wet because every one throws water at
everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages
along the street where people throw water. During this time, most
restaurants, shops, markets, museums etc. are closed. |
The whole country |
|
17 April |
Myanmar New
Year
This is the start of the new year and the end of the Water Festival. The
whole country is very quiet and everything is closed. |
The whole country |
|
29 April |
Full moon Day of Kasone
Pouring water to the sacred Bo-Tree. No other special entertainment.
Just only a small ceremony all over the country. Especially lots of
crowds at Shwekyetyet Pagoda. |
The whole country |
|
29 April |
Shitthaung Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival will be on Full Moon day as the others pagoda
festival but they have one exiting thing is they have traditional
wrestling show and boat racing show.
Festival may held on either days or on both. Please check with us. |
Mrauk Oo |
|
29 April |
Shwe Kyet Yet Pagoda Festival
|
Shwe Kyet Yet near Amarapura |
|
01 May |
May Day |
The whole country |
|
02 May |
Popa
Ceremony
Nat dances on Mt. Popa. Very much crowded and could be difficult to get
up the mountain. |
Mt. Popa |
|
02 May - 05 June |
Shinbinsagyo Pagoda Ceremony |
Sale (Salay) near Bagan |
|
22 May - 05 June |
Thihoshin
Pagoda Festival
There is festival
market and also evening entertainments such as Zats, Anyeints and Movies. |
Pakkoku |
20 - 27 June - 08 July
|
Chinlone (Cane Ball) Festival in Mandalay
The annual Chinlone Festival is being held at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay. The festival held not as competitions but as
entertainment. Not only local teams but also foreigners are participating in
the festival. Aside from Chinlone competitions, there are also folk
performances and local food and handicrafts for sale. |
At Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay |
|
19 July |
Martyr's
Day
The day of the assassination of General Aung San and other ministers.
Early morning (private) memorial services at the monument near Shwedagon
Pagoda. |
The whole country |
|
27 July |
Full
moon Day of Waso
Start of Buddhist lent. Donation ceremonies of new robes and other
temporal requirements to the monks all over the country at major pagodas,
monasteries and even at homes. |
The whole country |
|
27 July - 24 October |
Fish Feeding Ceremony
|
Pwinphyu near
Magwe |
|
12 - 19 July |
Shwe Kyun
Pin Festival
Regional Nat festival. Can observe several kinds to ceramic wares from
Sagaing Kyaukmyaung are laid out at the bank of river for sale during the
festival. |
Mingun |
|
22 - 25 August |
Taung Byone
Festival
Traditional Nat Festival. The most famous in upper Myanmar, around 1 hour
drive from Mandalay. It lasts five days and every day has special programs.
Festival where especially youngsters are merry and enjoy drinking and where
people of all ages can join in the Nat dance. Ceremonies are mostly at night
and it is very hard to get into the village. |
Mataya town near Mandalay |
03-09 September
|
Yadanar Gu
Festival Traditional Nat festival on the Mandalay - Sagaing road,
around 30 mins. drive from Mandalay. We can take a small sampan along the
lake up to the Nat Shrine hall. |
Amarapura |
|
10 - 27 October |
Phaung Daw
Oo Pagoda Festival The biggest occasion of the Inle Lake. The images
of the Buddha from Phaung Daw Oo are placed on a decorated royal barge and
taken around the lake, stopping at villages for people to pay homage. The
festival is full of pageantry and colorful, and there are fun fairs, music,
dances and boat races. Since this festival lasts very long, please check
with us for exact dates and events. |
Inle (Inlay) Lake |
17 - 24 October
|
Kyauktawgyi
Pagoda Festival It's situated at the foot of Mandalay Hill. It is
considered popular sales fair where all kinds of goods (some of them locally
produced) are sold. Next to that is the usual organization of events similar
to other Pagoda Festivals. |
Mandalay |
|
19 October - 07 November |
Myathalon
Pagoda Festival |
Magwe |
|
23 - 24 October |
Elephant
Dance Festival
Yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse. The whole town competes, not only
for the best "elephant dance"-performance, but at the same time for the
nicest-decorated "elephant". For the dance itself: two men get inside at
life-size hollowed-out papier-mache' elephant figure and imitate the
movements of a real elephant. Usually there is a 'lead'-man who coordinates
the movements of the dancers, assisted by a small number of musicians.
The festival is celebrated on the day before full moon day of Tadingyut. As
the day progresses, it is getting more and more crowded because people
nearby villages and as far away as Mandalay come to Kyaukse and join in the
festivities. |
Kyaukse, south of Mandalay |
|
23 - 25 October |
Thadingyut
Festival
End of Buddhist lent. And also the festival of lights. Pagodas, houses
and streets are brilliantly illuminated. It is not only a time of joy but
also thanksgiving and paying homage to teachers, parents and elders. |
The whole country |
|
24 October |
Full moon Day of Thadingyut |
The whole country |
|
25 October |
Light Floating Festival
Lit candles light on paper boat and let them float onto the river
On this day, people float lamps on the Shwekyin River. Before lamp
floating, visitors were lining the bank of the river to enjoy boat rowing
contests and spectacles such as dance performance by troupes on boats. At
evening, the river bank is crowded with spectators, boat carry visitors up
and down the river to enjoy the entertainment and float their lamp. |
Shwekyin |
|
11 - 12 November |
Hot-air Balloon Festival
Taunggyi Hot-air balloons festival will be held from 24 October to
03 November
and can watch the various competitions of hot-air balloons. At day-time, see
the competitions of decorated hot-air balloons in different shapes and forms
of animals such as elephants, horse, cattle, pig, mythical Hintha bird and
hen etc. Also see the fireworks and firecrackers of hot air-balloon at night
time. |
Taunggyi |
|
15 November - 07 December |
Shwezigon
Pagoda
Festival
There are evening entertainments such as Zats (a variety of dances, songs,
short and long plays), Anyeints (a performance of a few hours in which a
number of "jokers" caricature current situations and or person strung
together by a traditional dancer, popular movies shown in open air. On full
moon day of Tazaung Daing, there is a communal offering of food and various
domestic articles to the monks from the nearby monasteries (ca. 600) lined
up as in usual offerings. |
Bagan |
|
17 - 22 November |
Thanbodday
Pagoda Ceremony
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment provided.
Myanmar thanaka (sandal wood) and woven textiles (cotton blankets and
longgyis mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area.
Monywa |
Monywa |
|
17 - 22 November |
Hpo Win Daung Festival
Like other pagoda festivals with the usual entertainment provided.
Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles (cotton blankets and longgyis
mainly) can be bought at the various stalls around the pagoda area. |
Monywa |
|
17 - 22 November |
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda Festival
The most interesting aspect of this festival is the caravan of
bullock-carts in the pagoda compound. Some of the carts carry their village
products, such as hand-woven cotton clothes and cane mats, to sell them
there. They like to camp under the shade of the trees. |
Sagaing |
|
21 - 22 November |
Shin Mar Le
pagoda Festival
Celebrated at the time of the Tazaung Daing Festival. People throw with
lotus flowers to the top of the stupa, located at the North entrance of the
Mahamuni Pagoda, as homage to the Lord Buddha. |
Thazi |
|
22 November
|
Robe
Weaving Contest
The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of the day before full moon
day in one night. This is a competition for the weaving skills between teams
of women to complete special saffron-colored robes, called "Ma Thoe Thin Gan"
from the evening onwards at dawn. It is still done in the traditional way
and lots of people enjoy watching the demonstrations. At dawn, the robes are
offered to the great image of Lord Buddha and followed by the prize giving
ceremony for the winners. |
Big Cities |
|
21 - 22 November |
Tazaung
Daing (Tazaung Mone) Full moon Festival Many locals of different status offer yellow
robes & other items such as slippers, umbrellas, alms bowls and other
domestic articles to the monks. This offering ceremony is commonly called "Kathein"
and every local hope - at least once in his /her life - to participate in
this event. |
The whole country |
22 November
|
Full moon Day of Tazaung Daing (Tazaung Mone) |
The whole country |
22 November
|
Sagaing Tazaung Daing (Tazaung Mone) Full moon Festival
Sagaing attracts quite some crowds, as it is known as the Buddhist place of
retreat per excellence in the country with a concentration of monasteries,
nunneries and pagodas in that area. Many people (even from Mandalay) go and
spend the whole night (proceeding full moon day) in Sagaing. |
Sagaing. |
02 December
|
National Day |
The whole country |
|
15 - 22 December |
Shwemyetmhan (Golden Spectacles) Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival is as same as the others pagoda festival. But one
interesting thing is during the British time; Mrs. Hurtno, wife of the
commissioner was relieved from her eye disease after she offered a pair of
glasses to the Buddha. Local people who lives around this area they believe
that whoever have a problem with eyes they make novena to this pagoda. |
Shwetaung
Near Pyay (Prome) |
|
25 December |
Christmas Day |
The whole country |
|
31 December - 01 January |
New Year Holidays |
The whole country |
