subject: Myanmar Festivals And Events [print this page] JANUARY JANUARY
Independence Day
Date : January 4
Venue : All over the country
Details : To commemorate the countrys Independence in 1948
Kachin Manaw Festival
Date : January 10
Venue : Myitkyina, Kachin State
Details : Traditional Kachin ethnic New Year Festival. Duration 1 day.
Kayin New Year
Date : 1st day of the month of Pyatho (last week of December or first week of January)*
Venue : In the Kayin quarters of Yangon and at townships where Kayin are the majority.
Details : Kayin ethnic traditional New Year celebrations
Naga New Year
Date : January 14 -16
Venue : In Naga Hills, on the border with India and Myanmar. Traditional Naga ethnic festival where the festival rotates between three major townships in the Naga Hills.
Ananda Pagoda festival
Date : Dates to be confirmed*
Venue : Ananda Pagoda, Bagan
Details : A typical Buddhist pagoda festival which takes place one week preceding the fullmoon of Pyatho to fullmoon day (January)
FEBRUARY
Shan State Day
Date : February 9
Venue : Taunggyi, Southern Shan State and Lashio
(Northern Shan State)
Details : Traditional Shan ethnic dances etc performed.
Union Day
Date : February 12
Venue : All over the country
Details : To commemorate the signing of the Panglong Agreement between the various ethnic groups of Myanmar to demand Independence in 1947
Kyaikkauk Pagoda Festival
Date : Fullmoon day of Tabodwe (February)*
Venue : Thanlyin township (formerly Syriam)
Details : Typical Buddhist Pagoda festival
Chin National Day
Date : February 20
Venue : Mindat(Southern Chin State) and Haka(Northern Chin State)
Details : Chin ethnic festival
Lahu New Year Festival
Date : Normally coincides with the Chinese New Year*
Venue : Kyaing Tong, Eastern Shan State
Details : Typical Lahu ethnic New Year Festival
MARCH
Kekku Pagoda Festival
Date : Fullmoon of Tabaung (March)*
Venue : Kekku Pagoda near Taungyi, Southern Shan State
Details : Typical Pa-O ethnic pagoda festival
Pindaya Pagoda Festival
Date : Fullmoon day of Tabaung (March)*
Venue : Pindaya Township, Southern Shan State
Details : Typical Pa-O and Palaung ethnic festival
Details : A typical Buddhist festival with the pagoda on a hill facing the Bay of Bengal
APRIL
Thingyan Festival
Date : Normally in the 2nd week of April* (Depends on the astrologers to determine the exact dates)
Venue : All over the country
Details : A Myanmar New Year Festival where water is thrown on everyone
Gon Shan New Year
Date : Coincides with Myanmar New Year*
Venue : Kyaing Tong, Eastern Shan State
Details : Gon Shan ethnic New Year Festival
MAY
Kason Fullmoon Day
Date : Fullmoon day of Kason (May)*
Venue : All over the country at all prominent pagodas and monasteries.
Details : Water is poured on the sacred Bo Trees (Ficus) where Buddha is said to have attained Enlightenment.
JUNE
Pakokku Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival
Date : 8th waxing day of Nayon to Waning day of Nayon (June)*
Venue : Pakokku Township
Details : A typical Buddhist festival
JULY
Waso Fullmoon Day
Date : Fullmoon day of Waso (July)*
Venue : At all Buddhist monasteries and pagodas
Details : Monks are offered holy robes. It is the day when Buddha delivered his First Sermon.
AUGUST
Taungbyone Nat Festival
Date : Fullmoon Day of Wagaung (August)*
Venue : Taungbyone village near Mandalay
Details : It is a ceremony for the nats or spirits.
SEPTEMBER
Yadana Gu Nat festival
Date: September 02 08
Venue: Amarapura, Mandalay
Details: Known as mother of Taungbyone festival. Most enjoyable because of the rowing boat trip to the site. The festival is held annually in honor of Popa Medaw, Mewanna who came back from Taunbyon Festival, on her way back to Mt. Popa, she halted at the Yadanagu as her transit-camp.
Bo Bo Gyi Nat Festival
Date: September 16 28
Venue: Taungthaman Lake, Mandalay
Details: Bo Bo Gyi is believed to have high level alchemical and to have expired to become a Nat. On the eve of ceremony pilgrims throw tealeaf packets at one another from racing exacts. It is regarded as a pledge that one who is hit must take a visit next year with out fail.
Manuha Pagoda Festival
Date: September 23 (full moon day of Tawthalin)
Venue: Bagan
Details:During the festival, the Myinkaba Villagers march a parade with representation of the Jataka tales of the lives of Buddha. Most of the young villagers would take part in the roles of the king, queens and other characters. The festival is for two days.
OCTOBER
Kaung Hmu Daw Pagoda Festival
Date : Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut (October)*
Venue : Sagaing Township
Details : People go to offer food to the Buddha at dawn
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Date : Fullmoon Day of Thadingyut (October)*
Venue : Lake Inlay, Southern Shan State
Details : Most famous of pagoda festivals. The 4 Images are put on a gilt barge and towed around the lake by 800 leg-rowers
Elephant Dance Festival
Date : Fullmoon day of Thadingyut (October)*
Venue : Kyaukse township near Mandalay
Details : Papier mache elephants are carried around the town with elephant dance competitions.
NOVEMBER
Katein Holy Robes Offering Ceremonies
Date : The whole month of Tazaungmon(November)*
Venue : All over the country at all monasteries
Details : The monks are offered holy robes after the monsoon season
Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date : One week before and until the Fullmoon Day of Tazaungmone(November)*
Venue : Taunggyi (Southern Shan State)
Details : Hot Air balloons are sent aloft to pay homage to the Sulamuni Pagoda
supposed to be in heaven. There are also competitions of hot-air balloons
Parade of Lights Festival
Date : Fullmoon night of Tazaungmone (November)*
Venue : Taunggyi, Southern Shan State
Details : The whole town turns up in decorated lights and floats to pay homage to the Pagoda at the edge of the tow
Thadingyut Lights Festival and Weaving Competition
Date : Fullmoon day of Tazaugmone*
Venue : All over the country
Details : All the houses are lighted up to pay homage to Lord Buddha who comes down to the abode of humans after sending Buddhist Lent in Heaven. Holy robes are also woven during the night to offer to the Images before dawn and many competitions are held especially at major pagodas.
DECEMBER
Christmas Day
Date : December 25
Venue : Celebrated by Christians all over the country.
Akha New Year Festival
Date : In December*. The date is fixed according to the Akha calendar.
Venue : Kyaing Tong Township, Eastern Shan State
Details : Akha ethnic New Year festival
9000 Lights and 9000 flowers Offering
Date : normally celebrated on the 31st of December but may vary *
Venue : Golden Rock (Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda), Kyaikhto Township
Details : This is a very unique pagoda perched precariously on the tip of a rock.
The Myanmar calendar subscribes to both the solar and lunar months, thus requiring an intercalary 30-day 13th month every second or third year. Therefore, the full moon days may change from one month to another in the usual calendar. The Myanmar months and the respective festivals are as follows.
