Festivals in Myanmar
Nationwide Festivals
Water Festival (Thingyan)
Apr 13: 4th Waning day of Tagu, Throughout The Country
4-day festival ending April 16th
The festival is held on the eve of Myanmar New Year to cleanse the evil deeds of the previous year with water. Young people go out to enjoy themselves and elders take shelter in monasteries and pagoda precincts.
Kason Sacred Bo Tree Watering Ceremony (Nation Wide)
Apr 27: Full moon day of Kason, Nationwide
This festival is to commemorate the greatness of the Lord Buddha and his teachings. The activities of the festival include carrying the scented water pots, chanting Buddha’s Sutta in Pali and praising the Lord Buddha and pouring the water at the bottom of the Bo Tree.
Thidingyut Festival
Oct 22: 14th Waxing day of Thidingyut, Throughout The Country
3-day festival ending October 24th
To mark the day Lord Buddha came down from heaven after spending three months of the Buddhist lent there. Buddha's return from heaven is welcomed throughout the country with colorful illumination offerings to the deities. People also enjoy displays and hoist balloons up to the sky.
Regional Festivals
Moe Byae Festival
Fullmoon day of Pyatho, Moe Byae, Shan State
3-days festival ending Jan 05th
Traditional crossbow contest is the main highlight.
Ananda Temple Festival
Fullmoon day of Pyatho, Ananda Temple, Bagan
15-day festival ending Jan 13th
On full moon day of Pyatho, Alms-bowls filled with crops are offered to monks who all wait in a long line. Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country bullock carts can be seen. In front of the pagoda there is a fairground with market stalls and restaurants.
Most interesting dates: 30th December
Kachin Manao Festival
Manao Field, Myitkyina in Kachin State
Kachin Traditional Festival dedicated for praying for health and protection from harm.
Kyaik Khauk Festival
8th Waxing day of Tabodwe, Thanlyin in Yangon Division
9-days festival ending February 10th
Mahamuni Ceremony
14th Waxing day and 15th Fullmoon day of Tabodwe, Mandalay
Glutinous rice delicacy contests are held late on 14th Waxing day. In the morning of 15th Waxing day, incense is burnt for Mahamuni Buddha image.
Pindaya Cave Festival
11th Waxing day of Tabaung, Pindaya, Shan State
3-day ceremony ending February 27th
Typical Taung-yo pagoda festival. Different ethnic minority races can be seen.
Kakku Festival
14th Waxing day of Tabaung, Taunggyi, Shan State
3-days ceremony ending February 27th
Thousands of Shan style thin and slender pagodas are compactly built in geometrically pattern which turns the pagodas complex something extraordinary and unique. Thousand of local tribal people from the surrounding regions like Shan, Pa O, Palaung and Danu flock to this area to enjoy and take part in the annual pagoda festival.
Shwemawdaw Festival
8th Waxing day of Tagu, Bago, Bago Division
13-day ceremony ending April 14th
The trial artists perform on stage with full force to show their competitive edge over their counterparts and to win future performance contracts.
Popa Ceremony
08th Waning day of Tagu, Mount Popa, near Bagan
During Thingyan, pilgrims from all over the country travel to pay respect to Popa Nat shrines.
Thanakha Grinding Event
12th Waning day of Tagu, Sittwe, Rakhine State
Buddha images are cleansed with the aromatic thanakha water, prepared by local girls.
Animal Freeing Ceremony
02nd Waxing day of Kason, Kaba Aye Hillock in Yangon and elsewhere
A ceremony held by the Religious Department on Kaba Aye Hillock to give animals a sanctuary. All kinds of animals are set free. Similar ceremonies are held in other townships.
Shitethaung Festival
Fullmoon day of Kason, Mrauk U in Rakhine State
8-day ceremony ending May 15th
Dummy boat races on land, real boat contests and water splashing in Mrauk U canal on the full moon day. Traditional wrestling at the foot of the pagoda; finals are held on the full moon day.
Taung Byone Ceremony
10th Waxing day of Wagaung, Taungbyone in Mandalay
6-days ceremony ending August 24th
Held to worship two Taungbyone spiritual figures. Major gathering spot for spirit mediums.
Manuha Pagoda Festival and Holyman Festival (Bodaw Gu Hutet Pwe)
Full moon day of Tawthalin (Manuha Pagoda Festival), Myinkaba Village, Bagan
01st Waning day of Tawthalin (Holyman Festival, called Bodaw Gu Hutet Paw), Popa, near Bagan
Usually Manuha Pagoda Festival is celebrated between 22nd September and 24th September and Holy man Festival is celebrated on 4th September. Many faithful from Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan visit both festivals during this period.
Phaung Daw U Pagoda Festival
1st Waxing day of Thidingyut, Inle Lake, Shan State
18 day Festival ending October 27th
Four Buddha statues are ceremoniously transported clockwise around Inle lake on the royal barge, one leg-rowed boat races are held throughout the event.
Most interesting dates: 13th Oct, 16th Oct and 23rd Oct
Kyauk Taw Gyi Festival
14th Waxing day of Thidingyut, Mandalay
4-day festival ending October 5th
The Kyauk Taw Gyi image was carved out of a single piece of alabaster in 1864, under the guidance of King Mindon. People come to make offerings. In the evening a traditional Pwe (Myanmar Theater) can be seen at the fairground in front of the pagoda.
Kyaiktiyo Season (Golden Rock)
Fullmoon day of Thidingyut, Kyaikhto in Mon State
Approx. 9-month long season
Famous as pilgrimage and holiday outing spot for Myanmar people. The official visiting season begins on this day.
Balloon Flying Festival
10th Waxing day of Tazaungmon, Taunggyi, Shan State
5-day festival ending November 21st
During this typical ‘Pa-O’ festival, hot air balloons are released in the sky day and night.
Most interesting dates: 19th Oct, 20th Nov
Robe Weaving Contest
14th Waxing Day of Tazaungmon, Shwedagon Pagoda, Botataung, Kyaikkasan and elsewhere
On the 14th Waxing day of Tazaunmon, groups of young women take part in competitions held on the platforms of the pagodas. Robes have to be finished flawlessly overnight and offered at dawn to the images of Lord Buddha around the Pagodas.
Shwezigon Festival
Full moon day of Tazaungmon, Bagan
8-day festival ending November 29th
Candles and fireworks are carried in procession before offering to the pagoda on the Full Moon Day (15th Waxing day). Alms bowls are offered to monks, as they do at Ananda festival on full moon day. In front of the pagoda there is a fairground with market stalls and restaurants.
Kaung Hmu Daw Festival
Full moon day of Tazaungmon, Sagaing
6-day festival ending November 6th
This is mainly a festival for local people from the surrounding areas. A variety of merchandise is brought on the bullock carts to the festival.
All dates are subject to change without prior notice. Festivals are held throughout the country during the entire year. Contact Interstar Tours for further information.