Festivals in any country of southeast Asia are packed with vibrant culture, wonderful cuisine, welcoming friendly locals, and a never-ending escapade of delights, one can expect nothing less from the festivals in Myanmar. Several festivals are celebrated throughout Myanmar with hundreds of specific ones being tribal or regional. Travelers mostly plan their vacation in Myanmar to overlap these festivals in Myanmar to get a taste of local celebratory bits and share the joy with them.
When it comes to Festivals in Myanmar, most of it is traditional ones either related to Centuries-old Buddhism or of the 150+ hill tribes paying homage to their divine spirits. If you take a glance at the calendar of Myanmar, you can find a whole lot of festive dates marked in them. Here we have listed the major festivals that you can be a part of in your visit to Myanmar soon.
In January
Kachin Manaw Festival (9-10 Jan) in Myitkyina – Kachin State
Ananda Pagoda Festival (16 Jan) in Bagan
Naga New Year Festival (14-16 Jan) in Lahe/Lashi, Sagaing Division
Shwemyetman Pagoda Festival (04 -09 Jan) Shwetaung (Near Pyay)
In February
Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (25 Jan – 08 Feb) in Mandalay
Maw Tin Zun Pagoda Festival (Tentative date: 16th Feb to early March) near Pathein
KayikKhauk Pagoda Festival (03 – 09 Feb) in Thanlyin, Yangon
PakhanKoGyiKyaw Festival Tentative date: (18 – 25 Feb) in Pakhan, Yezagyo
PyiDawPyan Festival (Tentative date: 24th Feb to early March) in Zalun, Ayeyarwaddy Division
Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Feb 28 – Mar 08) in Yangon
Experience Buddhist culture, heritage & jungle safari, and views of amazing Buddhist Pagodas
In March
Pindaya Cave Festival (Mar 06- 08) in Pindaya
Shwesayan Pagoda Festival (Tentative date: 4 – 13 Mar) in Pathein-gyi, Mandalay
Boe-Boe-Gyi Ceremony (Tentative date: 11 – 15 Mar) in Al-Lone, Monywa
Bawgyo Pagoda Festival (03 – 08 Mar) in Hsipaw – Shan State
Kakku Pagoda Festival (06-08 Mar) near Taunggyi
KoKyiKyawGu-Ni Ceremony (Tentative date: March 30 – April 3) in Magwe
April Festivals
Popa Ceremony/Nat Festival (April 21) in Mt Popa, Near Bagan
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Tentative date: April 2-11) in Bago
Thingyan Festival (13 – 16 Apr) Countrywide Celebration
Myanmar New Year (April 17) Countrywide Celebration
ShweKetyet Pagoda (April 29) in Amarapura – Mandalay
In May
Kason Full Moon Festival (16 May) Countrywide Celebration
U Shin Gyi Ceremony (2-4 May) in Salt Island &Bown Island, Bogalay
Shittaung Pagoda Festival (15-18 May) in Mrauk U
ThiHoShin Pagoda Festival (31 May – 05 June) in Pakokku
Wicker Ball Ceremony – chinlone (June 06 – July 05) at Mahamuni Precinct, Mandalay
In June
ChinLone Festival, (25 June – 05 July) in Mahamuni, Mandalay
Journey of 3 Himalayan countries with Culture, Religion, Nature & panoramic views of Mt. Everest
In July
WasoChinlone Festival (13 Jul) in Mandalay
Martyr’s Day (July 19) in Yangon
ShinbinSagyo Pagoda Festival (03 July) in Sale – Magwe
In August
ShweKyun Bin Tree Spirit Ceremony (21-26 Aug) in Mingun-Mandalay
TaungPyone Nat Festival (26 Aug -02 Sep) in TaungPyone, Mandala
In September
YadanaGu Nat Festival (10-16 Sep) in Amarapura, Mandalay
Mount Popa Nat Festival (September 10-16) in Popa Mountain
October Festivals
Bo BoGyi Nat Festival (05-11 Oct) in Amarapura, Mandalay
Boe-Min-Guang Memorial Day (October 03) in Mt. Popa, near Bagan
Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda Festival (30 Oct -02 Nov) in Mandalay
PhaungDawOo Pagoda Festival ( 17 October- 03 November) in Inle Lake, Shan State
Indein Pagoda Festival (27-31 Oct) in Inle Lake
Thadingyut, Festival of Lights (9 Oct to 11 Oct) Throughout Myanmar
Dancing Elephant Festival (30 Oct -01 Nov) in Kyaukse, Mandalay
Food offering ceremonies (October 23 & 24) in Indein – Inle Lake
Nov Mya ThaLun Pagoda Festival (October 24 – Mid) in Magwe
In November
Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival (November 29) in Kyaikhtiyo
KaungHmuDaw Pagoda Festival (22-30Nov) Sagaing, Mandalay
Hot Air Balloon Festival (23-29 Nov) in Taunggyi
Shwezigon Pagoda Festival (26 – 29 Nov) in Bagan
Pho-Win Taung Ceremony (28 – 29 Nov) in Pho-Win Taung -Monywa
Tazaungmon Festival (November 12) Countrywide Celebration
Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights (November 28-29) in Taunggyi
PyinOoLwin Balloon Festival (1-7 November ) in PyinOoLwin (Maymo)
3 countries Buddhist tour with Cultural, Historical, Lifestyle & Scenic Experience
In December
Karen New Year (December 1) in Hpaan, Kayin State
Sandaw-Shin Pagoda Festival (12 – 17 Dec) in West Pha-yan-ga Island, Rakhine
Thanboddhay Pagoda Festival (22 – 23 Dec) in Monywa
M0unt Popa Nat Festival(29 Dec) in Mount Popa
Hpo Win Daung Festival (22 – 23 Dec) in Monywa
With so much going on throughout the year, here are some of the festivals that you can aim to attend in Myanmar to get the bliss of culture and local art of living. Most of the festival dates are tentative, festival date depends on the full moon.
