| Month |
December-January |
| Name of Festival |
Ananda Temple Festival |
| Place |
Bagan - Ananda Temple |
| Details |
Festival begins several weeks before the Pyartho
Full Moon Day. There are evening entertainments such as
Zats: a variety of dance, song, short and long plays,
sale of local and traditional products. The most
interesting site of this includes the caravan of
bullock-carts in the Pagoda compound. |
|
| Month |
December-January |
| Name of Festival |
New Year for the Wa, Lishu & Lahu |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Celebrate at the same day of Chinese New year day.
Hill Tribes near Kyaingtong. |
|
| Month |
January |
| Name of Festival |
Kachin National Day & Manao Festival |
| Place |
Myitkyina |
| Details |
The celebrate a sacrificing-cum dancing best known
as Manua to propitiate or exercise numerous. Nat
(spirits) the spectacular carnival held in every January
is the festival to celebrate a victory or achievement
where the young and old, the great and simple gather in
true community spirit. |
|
| Month |
January |
| Name of Festival |
Naga New Year Festival |
| Place |
Saigaing Division |
| Details |
Village location changes from year to year - 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 subtribes of Naga.In this particular
day you will see the most unique Nagas gathering from
the entire region with festive mode. |
|
| Month |
January |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Pyartho |
|
| Month |
January-February |
| Name of Festival |
Chinese Lunar New Year |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
|
| Month |
January-February |
| Name of Festival |
Kyaik - Khauk Festival |
| Place |
Thanlyin ( Syriam) |
| Details |
Maintaining the heritage of donating drinking water
to all by descendants of the first donor family is
amazing. |
|
| Month |
January-February |
| Name of Festival |
Lahu New Year Celebration |
| Place |
Kyaingtong-Lahu Hill Tribes |
| Details |
1 day after DARK MOON of Tabodwe |
|
| Month |
February |
| Name of Festival |
Htarmane - Rice Giving |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
people rejoice in the combined communities
preparation and distribution of glutinous rice delicacy
or feast of Htamane. One should not miss this
opportunity to sample the delicious Myanmar delicacy
consisting of glutinous rice freckle of coconut, sesames
seeds, peanuts, ginger, and oil, which is specially
prepared for the feast. |
|
| Month |
February |
| Name of Festival |
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Mandalay |
| Details |
Monks chant Buddhist scriptures nonstop; the evening
entertainments such as zats and anyeints, a performance
of dances, songs and plays. And stalls selling a variety
of Myanmar snacks and a communal offering of dry
rational food and essentials are given to the monks in
the nearby monasteries. |
|
| Month |
February |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Tabodwe |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
"Traditionally, it is held on the full moon day of
this month as the harvest festival
when people rejoice in the combined communities
preparation and distribution
of glutinous rice delicacy or feast of Htamane. " |
|
| Month |
February - March |
| Name of Festival |
Zeedaw Nat Festival |
| Place |
Zeedaw Viilage near Monywa |
| Details |
Across the Chindwin river |
|
| Month |
February-March |
| Name of Festival |
Bawgyo Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Between Kyaukme & Hsipaw |
| Details |
Begins 10th waxing day - arr before FM day - 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. A large volume of
Shan and Bamar merchandise is traded. There are boat
races on Dottawadi river. |
|
| Month |
February-March |
| Name of Festival |
Kak Ku Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Kak Ku |
| Details |
Traditional Pa O Theatrical performances and singing
contests are included. |
|
| Month |
February-March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwe Myitzu Pagoda |
| Place |
Indawgyi Lake |
| Details |
100 miles far from Myitkyina. Approx. Five hours
drive up to Indawgyi. This festival is held yearly 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. |
|
| Month |
February-March |
| Name of Festival |
Pindaya Cave Festival |
| Place |
Pindaya |
| Details |
Typical Taung Yoe pagoda festival. Different ethnic
minorities can be seen. |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Man Su Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Lashio |
| Details |
Arr. bef. FM. -early morning monk procession |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Yangon |
| Details |
Continues after FM day. It is held on the full moon
day of Tabaung (approximately March) and is one of the
biggest events. During this festival, visitors can get a
feel of the spirituality of the people of Myanmar by
participating in the events and temple fairs; and
observing the rituals. |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwemyetman Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Shwedaung (near Pyay) |
| Details |
Golden Spectacle Buddha |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwenattaung Pagoda |
| Place |
Shwedaung near Pyay |
| Details |
Shwenattaung Pagoda |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwesaryan Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Shwe Saryan Village |
| Details |
Bet Mandalay & Maymyo -45 minutes drive form
Mandalay on the way to 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, mats made of dried toddy palm leaves |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Shwesatdaw Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Minbu |
| Details |
Pilgrimage to 2 Footprints of Buddha |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Mawdinsun Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Ngapudaw, near Pathein |
| Details |
This Pagoda Festival is held once a year; an event
for pilgrims to visit the pagoda at the mouth of the
Ayeyarwaddy River. |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Pakhan Ko Gyi Kyaw Festival |
| Place |
Pakhangyi Village, near Monywa |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Nay Win Taung & Nyan Taw Pagoda Festivals |
| Place |
Pyin Oo Lwin ( Maymyo) |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Sandawshin Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
West Pha-yon-ga Island |
| Details |
Rakhine State |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Nat Festivals |
| Place |
Regional |
| Details |
Between Pakokku & Mingyan |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
ZALUN PYIDAWPYAN Image Festival |
| Place |
Zalun, near Pathein |
|
| Month |
March |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Tabaung |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Important Full Moon Day. This is the last month of
Myanmar lunar calendar. The most colorful month of the
year with Pagoda Festivals in full swing everywhere. The
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival is held on the day of the full
moon of Tabaung and is the month's finest event. During
this festival, visitors can get to know the true
religious feelings of the people of Myanmar by
participating in events at pagoda fairs or by observing
the rituals of the holiday. |
|
| Month |
March - April |
| Name of Festival |
Ahlone Nat Festival |
| Place |
Ma Ngwe Daung Village |
| Details |
North of Monywa 7th day after FM Tabaung-D.M. |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Thanakha Grinding Event |
| Place |
Sittway, Rakhine State |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Buddha Image Bathing Event |
| Place |
Sittway, Rakhine State |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Thingyan Water Festival |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Celebrated to welcome Myanmar New Year for four days
throughout the country during the second week of April.
It also marks the end of the old year and beginning of
the new. Young people gather together to sing and dance,
and to joyfully throw water on each other. During the
Thingyan Carnivals decorative floats and water throwing
pandals are seen everywhere in towns and cities alike.
If you do not mind getting wet, this high-spirited
festival is one that you should not miss. |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Mt Popa Nat Festival |
| Place |
Bagan - Mt. Popa |
| Details |
Always during the Water Festival |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Kyaingtong Water Fesival |
| Place |
Kyaingtong (Kengtung) |
| Details |
Traditional ceremonies/processions - Very
Interesting |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Sand Stupa Festival |
| Place |
Min Thar Su, Mandalay |
| Details |
In three different Mandalay quarters stupas are
built with sand within 01 night. Sand stupas are built
up with five segments gradually converging to the top.
Each layer of white sand is supported by bamboo-mats and
-posts. |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
First Day-Buddhist New Year |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Tagu |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
This is the first month of Myanmar lunar calendar.
The most colorful month of the year with Pagoda
Festivals in full swing everywhere. |
|
| Month |
April |
| Name of Festival |
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Bago |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Shitthaung Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Mrauk-U, Rakhine State |
| Details |
Dummy boat race on land, real boat race and water
splashing in Mrauk U canal on full moon day. Traditional
wrestling competitions are held at the foot of the
pagoda. |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Shweguni Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Kyaukka (near Monywa) |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Shwe Kyet Yet Festival |
| Place |
Amarapura, Mandalay |
| Details |
Bodhi Tree water pouring ceremony and Boat racing. |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Wat Zom Kum Rice Offering Ceremony |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Khun Calendar F.M. of Kason |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Taung-yo Festival |
| Place |
Pindaya Cave, Pindaya |
| Details |
Taung Yoe tribe make Torchlight procession in the
early part of the night to pay homage to the numerous
statues in the cave. |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Pa-O Rocket Festival |
| Place |
Taunggyi |
| Details |
Locally made rockets stuffed with powerful gunpowder
are ceremoniously carried and launched in competition.
Observed mostly by ethnic Pa-Oh to predict the weather
and crop. Young men and women use small mirrors to tease
one another. |
|
| Month |
May |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Kason - Buddha's Birthday |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Bodhi Tree water pouring ceremony. Pouring water the
Sacred Bo Tree symbolizes the Birth, Enlightenment and
Passing away of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist
holiday and belles go in procession to the pagoda
grounds throughout the country with pots of water and
thousands of oil-lamps or candles to be lit. |
|
| Month |
June |
| Name of Festival |
Thihoshin Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Pakkoku (near Bagan) |
|
| Month |
June |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Nayon |
| |
|
| Month |
June-July |
| Name of Festival |
Shinbinsagyo Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Salay, near Bagan |
|
| Month |
July |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day 1st Waso |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
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. |
|
| Month |
July |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day 2nd Waso |
| Place |
Depends on the Calender |
| |
|
| Month |
July |
| Name of Festival |
Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Festival |
| Place |
Near Mingun |
| Details |
The day Buddha preached his first sermon is
commemorated. Monks are confined to the monastery by
Buddhist code of conduct during the 3-month long
Buddhist lent. |
|
| Month |
July-October |
| Name of Festival |
Kyaung Taw Ya Monastery |
| Place |
33 km north of Minbu |
| Details |
A famous religious festival also known as "Fish
Feeding Festival". People believed that thousands of big
fishes, you can see only in this period, come to pay
homage to the pagoda. |
|
| Month |
August |
| Name of Festival |
Akha Annual Swinging Festival |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Ahka Hill tribe Villages |
|
| Month |
August |
| Name of Festival |
7 Day Nat Festival |
| Place |
Taungbyone (near Mandalay) |
| Details |
A popular festival held in Taungpyone near Mandalay.
According to tradition, the homage-paying festival is
held annually to appease the spirits as it is believed
that the Nats can fulfill their wishes, protect from
ill-fate and danger, and bring good luck, prosperity and
progress. Although Myanmar Buddhists are not
particularly spirit worshippers, thousands of country
folks and town people, their joyous, light-hearted and
merrymaking can be found in this particular festival.
|
|
| Month |
August-September |
| Name of Festival |
Yadanar Gu Nat Festival |
| Place |
Amarpura, Mandalay |
| Details |
Traditional Nat festival on the Mandalay-Sagaing
road. We can take a small sampan along the lake up to
the Nat Shrine hall. |
|
| Month |
August-September |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Wakhaung |
| |
|
| Month |
September-October |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Tawthalin |
|
| Month |
September-October |
| Name of Festival |
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Around Inle Lake |
| Details |
The biggest occasion of the Lake Inle. 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 festivals is full
of pageantry and colorful. |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Mya Tha Lon Festival |
| Place |
Magwe |
| Details |
"Buddhist chanting, early morning offering to 1700
monks, and the lighting of 9000
candles are major activities. The scenic beauty of the
pagoda, situated on the
riverbank, is dramatic. " |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Light Floating Festival |
| Place |
Shwe Kyin |
| Details |
Madaut Township |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Mandalay |
| Details |
The image was cast out of a single piece of
alabaster in1864 under the guidance of king Mindon. |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Payagyi Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Monywa |
| Details |
also known as Wishfullfiling Pagoda |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Elephant Dance Festival |
| Place |
Kyauk Se (South of Mandalay) |
| Details |
People dressed as elephants ( not real
elephants).This unique and exotic elephant dance held at
Kyaukse, a small town not far from Mandalay. A huge but
light elephant figure is made with bamboo and paper. Men
take their places inside the figure and dance around the
town to the accompaniment of Dobat and Drums. The
elephant dancers circle three times at the foot of the
hill to pay homage to the Shwethalyaung Pagoda. It is a
dance that requires precise rhythm and timing in order
for the elephant dancers to maintain uniformity inside
the elephant figure. Numerous life-size paper dummy
elephants sing and dance to the accompaniment of music.
|
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Celebration of Lights |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Especially on Inle Lake |
|
| Month |
October-November |
| Name of Festival |
Thaung Tho Monastery Celebration |
| Place |
Inle Lake |
| Details |
Gathering of all Pa-O tribes to Monastery |
|
| Month |
October-November |
| Name of Festival |
Thein Koun Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Aunglan near Pyay |
| Details |
about 60 km from Pyay |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Celebration of Lights & Fire Balloons |
| Place |
Kyaingtong & Hill Villages |
| Details |
Very Interesting Festivities |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Thadingyut |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Very Important Full Moon Day - 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. |
|
| Month |
October-November |
| Name of Festival |
Kahtein Robe Giving Ceremony |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
|
| Month |
October |
| Name of Festival |
Indein Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Inle Lake |
| Details |
Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old sharine
complex in Inle Lake. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Pho Win Taung Festival |
| Place |
Monwya |
| Details |
Across the Chindwin River |
|
| Month |
October-November |
| Name of Festival |
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Bagan |
| Details |
Starts 1 week before F.M. Tazaungmon. Candlelights
and fireworks are carried in procession before offering
to the pagoda. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Thanboddhay Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Monywa |
| Details |
Arrive day before F.M. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Astrologers Annual Gathering |
| Place |
Shwebonepwint Pagoda |
| Details |
YANGON |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Robe Weaving Competition |
| Place |
Mandalay - Maha Muni Pagoda |
| Details |
Arrive evening before - weaving throughout the night
- The robe weaving ceremony is held on the eve of the
day before fullmoon day in one night. This is a
competition for the weaving skills between teams of
women to complete special saffron-coloured robe. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Robe Weaving Competition |
| Place |
Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda |
| Details |
Arr evening before-weaving throughout the night. On
this perticular full moon eve groups of young women take
part of competition held on the platforms of the
pagodas. The robe is to be finished flawlessly overnight
and offered at dawn to the Buddha images around the
pagodas. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Shin Mar Le Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Mandalay |
| Details |
Celebrated at the time of the Tazaung Dine Festival.
People throe with lotus flowers to the top of the stupa,
located at the North entrance of the Mahamuni Pagoda, as
homage to the Lord Buddha. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Kaungmudaw Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Sagaing (nearr Mandalay) |
| Details |
Procession on the morning of F.M. Tazaungmon. The
best spot to watch Myanmar puppet. Pilgrimage and
holiday outings on country oxcarts can be seen. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Kyaikhtiyo |
| Details |
The boulder, standing on the edge of a peak in the
highest mountain range, is said to be freely hanging
over the cliff. The place is famous as a pilgrimage and
holiday outing spot. On this particular full moon day
number total 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit at mid
night. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Fire Balloon Competition |
| Place |
Taunggyi |
| Details |
Traditional Shan Festival where the various
competition of hot-air balloons attached to firecrackers
are performed at night time on the full moon day of
November. At day-time, there is a competition of
decorated hot-air balloons in different shapes and forms
of mythological birds as well as animals such as
elephants, etc. |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Kak Ku Pagoda - Lanterns & Lights |
| Place |
Kak Ku |
| Details |
Same time as Fire Balloon Festival in Taunggyi |
| |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Fire Stick Festival |
| Place |
Kalaw, Shan State |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Maha Myat Muni Pagoda |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Rice offering & Khatein offering |
| |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Tazaungmon |
| Place |
Throughout Myanmar |
| Details |
Light Celebration at most pagodas - 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 |
|
| Month |
November |
| Name of Festival |
Thaung Tho Pagoda Festival |
| Place |
Inle Lake |
| Details |
A Buddhist festival celebrates an old Buddha statute
site. |
|
| Month |
November-December |
| Name of Festival |
New Rice Harvest Festival |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
On this perticular period Ann hill tribe celebrate
fertility festival. Very interesting with traditional
group dancing and drinking etc. Hill Tribe Village
Celebrations. |
|
| Month |
November-December |
| Name of Festival |
Shan New Year Celebration |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Very Interesting - Hill Tribe Village Celebrations.
Many different Shan tribes are celebrate with offering
to the Buddha and traditional dance and feast. |
|
| Month |
December |
| Name of Festival |
Mt Popa Nat Festival |
| Place |
Mt Popa near Bagan |
| Details |
Mt. Popa being considered most important Nat
worshipping center, thousands of country folks and town
people in their joy us, light-hearted and merrymaking in
this particular festival. Thousands of animals were
sacrificed to the Nats during the festival however this
practice has been stopped since Bagan period. Spirit
possession and overall drunken ecstasy are part of the
celebration. |
|
| Month |
December |
| Name of Festival |
Full Moon Day Nadaw |
| |
|
| Month |
December |
| Name of Festival |
Ahka New Year Festival |
| Place |
Kyaingtong |
| Details |
Ahka Hill Tribe Villages |
| |
|
| F.M. = Full Moon D.M. =
Dark Moon |
| New Moon is always one day
after the DARK MOON |
| Festivals coincide with the
Lunar Calendar so the the dates will change from year to
year. Check with TOUR MANDALAY. Most Festivals begin a
few weeks before the forthcoming Full Moon Day. |