CULTURE FESTIVALS

Manao Festival / 10 January

Myitkyina & Bhamo

The Duwas celebrate a sacrificing-cum dancing best known as Manao. 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.

Naga New Year / 12-16 January

La He (Hkamti)

Although most people have heard about Naga tribes there is some who have seen them and only a few who have been to their area. Nagas celebrate their new year 15 of January each year. In this particular day you will see the most unique Nagas gathering­­ from the entire region with festive mode. You will be busy shaking hands with Naga warriors wearing hats made from bear fur, wild boar tusks, hornbill feathers, and tiger claws. Some also have tiger fangs hanging from their necklaces.

Ananda Pagoda Festival / 9-16 January

Bagan

A unique and very important Buddhist festival. Hundred of oxen cart are traveled days to get to the venue from various village of the dry plane of Myanmar. Bowls of alms filled with crops are offered to Buddhist monks who all wait in a long line. This festival gives you a great exposure of the Pilgrimage traveling style and holiday outings on country oxcarts.
11th January is the highlight of the festival.

Mahamuni Pagoda Festival / 10-11 February

Mandalay

The Mahamuni Pagoda Festival usually falls in mid-February. Because Myanmar uses a traditional Buddhist lunar calendar to select religious festival dates, the exact times can vary greatly from year to year. The Mahamuni Pagoda contains one of the most revered images of the Buddha in Myanmar. Thousands of people from all over the country come to the Mahamuni Pagoda

Bonfire ceremony / 10-11 February

Pyay

Plants which emit no smoke when lit, are burnt at four cardinal points on the platform of the pagoda in the early morning. Worshippers than proceed to Pho U mountaintop where the Lord Buddha is said to have visited and made preordination of events.

Full Moon Festival / 11 February

All over the country

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. Delicious Myanmar delicacy consisting of glutinous rice freckle of coconut, sesames seeds, peanuts, ginger, and oil, which is specially prepared for the feast. Among the major Buddhist festival, Mahamuni Pagoda ceremony in Mandalay and Kyaikkhauk festival in Yangon are most spectacular.

Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival / 01-06 February

Syrium

Maintaining the heritage of donating drinking water to all by descendants of the first donor family is amazing.

Pindaya Cave Festival / 09-12 March

Pindaya, Shan State

Typical Taung Yoe pagoda festival. Different ethnic minorities can be seen.

Shwedagon Pagoda Festival / 12 March

Yangon

The sight of numerous monks who come in boats to receive food offerings is striking view.

Kekku Pagoda Festival / 11-12 March

Taunggyi

Traditional Pa O Theatrical performances and singing contests are included.

Taung Gwe Zedi Festival / 12 March

Loi Kaw

Thousand Buddhist monks are offered food on the full moon day. Long necked green, red dressed Kayan and black dressed Kayah among other minorities are seen.

Nam Pan Ceremony / 12 March

Inle Lake, Shan State

The sight of numerous monks who come in boats to receive food offerings is striking view.

Full Moon Day of Tabaung / 11-12 March

All over the country

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.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival / 04-11 April

Bago

The artists perform on stage with full force to show their competitive edge over their counterparts to win future performance contests.

Bo Min Khaung Memorial / 08-12 April

Mt. Popa

Bo Min Khaung is remembered for his higher attainment in mediation practices.

Thingyan Festival / 13-16 April

All over the country

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.

New Year Day / 17th April

All over the country

Buddhists young and old alike spend the day performing meritorious deeds such as feeding and releasing animals, offering to monks, paying homage to elders etc.

Shithoung Pagoda Festival / 03-10 May

Mrauk U

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.

Kason Festival / 09th-10th May

All over the country

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.

Buddhist Recitation / 08-19 June

Kaba Aye hillock, Yangon

Recitation of five parts of Nikaya held at Kaba Aye hillock. Both monks and nuns alike hold similar recitation, throughout the country.

Mt. Popa Nat Spirit Festival / 08-09 June

Mt. Popa

For the energetic, it is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the hill.

Wicker ball ceremony / *Fixed date will be announced when it’s closer*

Mahamuni, Mandalay

Traditional wicker ball players from all over the country participate in the month long contest that tradition has going on over 70 years. This is the best event to watch Myanmar traditional chin lone (cane ball) playing match.

Waso Full Moon Festival / 07-08 July

All over the country

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.

Taung Byone Nat Pwe / 01-07 August

Madayar, Mandalay

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.

Yadana Gu Nat festival / 15-21 August

Amapura, Mandalay

Known as mother of Taungbyone festival. It is most enjoyable because of the rowing boat trip to the site. The festival is held annually in honor of Popa. Medaw, Mewanna (mother of the two Lords) who came back from Taunbyon Festival, on her way back to Mt. Popa, she halted at the Yadanagu as her transit-camp.

Manuha Pagoda Festival / 05 September

Near Bagan

Paper Dummy (Nat) Idols are made into competition. Singing & Dancing competition in commemoration of Taungbyone (Nats). Festival Start at 2 PM and ends around 4 PM.

Bo Bo Gyi Nat Festival / 08-20 September

Taungthaman Inn, Mandalay

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 without fail.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival / 21 September – 08 October

Inle Lake

The festival is held with great magnificence and pageantry. There will be full of fun fairs and dances everywhere. 4 x holiest Buddha images are ceremoniously tugged clockwise around the lake on a decorated royal barge by leg-rowing boats stopping at each village to let people pay homage. The procession of the Inle leg-rowers in full pageantry and ceremonial splendor is a sight not to be missed by anyone visiting Myanmar. The unique and most interesting event of the festival is, of course, the Shan traditional boat races participated by leg-rowers of both men and women dressed in their national costumes. Phaungdaw O Pagoda festival draws celebrant from far and near not only for the homage of Buddha statutes abut also for great fun fair and for the fame of Intha’s and Inthu’s (women) unique leg- rowing competitions.
08th October is the final day and there is boat racing competition.

Thadingyut Light Festival / 04-05 October

throughout Myanmar

To mark the end of the Buddhist Lent, and is also one of the most prominent festivals of the year. Pagodas, houses, public buildings, parks, and monuments are all illuminated and there are various kinds of activities for everyone to enjoy. Thadingyut is not only for joyous but also thanksgiving and paying homage to Buddhist monks, teachers, parents and elders, and asking pardon for whatever misdeeds might have committed during the year.

Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival / 04-07 October

Mandalay

The image was cast out of a single piece of alabaster in1864 under the guidance of king Mindon.

Festival of Light and Fire Ball / 04-05 October

Kyaing tong

Festival of Light and Fire Ball

Indein Pagoda Festival / 12 October

Inle Lake

Buddhist ceremony held at unique site of old shrine complex in Inle Lake.

Poewintaung Ceremony / 24-29 October

Monywar

The one and only market where leaves, fruits, roots, thorns, stems of any herbal value from the western wilderness of Chindwin river are sold on a large scale.

Shwezigon Festival / 28 October – 03 November

Bagan

Candlelight’s and fireworks are carried in procession before offering to the pagoda.

Balloons Flying Festival / 29 October – 03 November

Taunggyi

Lu Ping festival commonly known as hot balloon festival celebrates by Pa O, one of the many ethnic groups in the region. The word Lu Ping generally means eliminating all evil by giving alms and offertories to Buddhist monks. On the occasion people also enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework launching competitions. The firework is in the form of rockets. There is also hot balloons competitions on the day and night occasions. Day balloons are usually in the form of Pagodas, and animals such as elephant, dragon or ducks while the night balloons usually in the shape of rugby ball, huge elongated paper balls with small lighted multicolored paper lanterns hung around their sides.
03rd November is final competition day and the most spectacular day.

Balloon Festival / 01 October – 04 November

Pyin Oo Lwin

The most lively day is Fullmoon day (03rd November)

Tazaungdaing Light Festival / 02-03 November

All over the country

Tazaungdaing Festival, means the offering new robes to monks which celebrated on the eve of full moon day in Oct/Nov every year. Before dawn a competition on weaving the fresh robe is held at every Pagoda and several teams participate in the merrymaking competitions which the fresh robe then offered to the Buddha Image early in the fullmoon day morning. A month earlier, every household buys some soap, washcloths and robes for the monks. Brand New note of money is folded in the shape of peacocks, pigeons or the lotus flower. The gifts are decoratively hung on “pendals” made of wood or bamboo. On this day people carry the pendals on their shoulders (or on cars nowadays). They proceed through town and gather in the city monastery. Homes and offices are colorfully lit and fireworks and hot air balloons at night. On the morning of the full moon “soons” (meal) and offering are offered to the monks.

Robe Weaving Contest / 02-03 November

All over the country

On this particular 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.

Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda Festival / 02-03 November

Golden Rock

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.
Another festival of light held on the full moon day throughout the country. Home and streets are illuminated and Buddhists are provided robe and various requisites at Kathein . On this particular full moon day number total 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit at mid night. Visitors are served with mixed salad of maezali buds, believed to possess powerful, magical and medicinal properties if eaten at this time.

Kakku Pagoda Festival (Lanterns and lights) / 02-04 November

Taungyi

Celebrate by Pa O tribal Buddhist at the unique pagodas complex.

Kaung Mudaw Festival / 02-03 November

Sagaing

The best spot to watch Myanmar puppet. Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country oxcarts can be seen.

Mt. Popa Nat Sprit Festival / 02-03 November

Mt. Popa

Mt. Popa being considered most important Nat worshipping center, thousands of country folks and town people in their joyous, 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.

Thanbottay Pagoda Festival / 03-26 November

Bagan

The villagers from all around come to enjoy the music and dancing. and buy from the various stalls set up by sellers from all over the country.

New Rice Harvest Festival / 01-03 December

Kyaing Tong

On this particular period Ann hill tribe celebrate fertility festival. It is very interesting with traditional group dancing and drinking etc.
**Date may be changed depending on weather**

Akha New Year Festival / 28 December

Kyaing Tong

New Year Festival of Akha Tribe. It is very interesting with traditional group dancing.