This information will bring you the interesting events (Festivals)  in Myanmar for tourists by month by month

January 2011

Manao Festival (Myitkyina & Bahmo) ~ 10th January

The Duwas 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.

Naga New Year - La He (Hkamti) ~ 12th - 16th January

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.

Anandar Pagoda Festival (Bagan) ~ 16th - 22nd January

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.

Bon Fire Ceremony (Pyay) ~ 28th - 29th January

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

Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay) ~  17th - 18th February

Incense are burnt in large flame in symbolic of offering heat to the great image.

Full Moon Festival (All over the country ) ~ 29th February

Traditionally, it is held on the full moon day of this month as the harvest when 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. Among the major Buddhist festival are Mahamuni Pagoda ceremony in Mandalay and Kyaikkhauk festival in Yangon.

Kyaik khauk Pagoda Festival (Syrium) ~ 25th February - 2nd March

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

Nam Pan Ceremony (Inle Lake, Shan State) ~ 24th - 27 February

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

Zeedaw Nat Festival (Monywar) ~ 5th - 11th March

Spirit festival is held at Zeedaw village across Chindwin river.

Kekku Pagoda Festival (Taunggyi) ~ 14th - 21st March 2011

Traditional Pa O Theatrical performances and singing contests are included.

Taung Gwe Zedi Festival (Loi Kaw) ~ 14th - 21st March 2011

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.

Bawgyo Image Festival (Tibaw, Shan State) ~ 16th - 19th March

A large volume of Shan and Bamar merchandise is traded. There are boat races on Dottawadi river.

Full Moon Day of Tabaung (All over the country) ~ 18th - 19th March

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.

Shwesayan Pagoda Festival ( Mandalay) ~ 19th - 27th March

Merchandise from northern Shan State and other part of the country are exchanged at Pagoda bazar.

Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Bago) ~ 11st - 18th April

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

Bo Min Khaung Memorial (Mt.Popa) ~ 15th - 19th April

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

Fullmoon day of Tagu (All over the country) ~ 17th - 18th April

This is the first month of Myanmar lunar calendar. The most colorful month of the year with Pagoda Festivals in full swing everywhere.

Kason Festival (all over the country) ~ 16th - 17th May

Pouring water the Sacred Bo Tree symbolize 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 post of water and thousands of oil-lamps or candles to be lit.

Taung Yoe Festival Pindaya Cave, Shan State ~ 16th - 17th May

Taung Yoe tribe make Torchlight procession in the early part of the night to pay homage to the numerous statues in the cave.

Pa-Oh Rocket Festival  Taunggyi ~ 16th - 17th May

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.

June 2011

The onset of monsoon season makes June relatively quiet in Myanmar. There are, however, various smaller Buddhist festivals can be witnessed.

Buddhist Recitation ( Kaba Aye hillock, Yangon ) ~ 15th - 16th June

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 ( Mt. Popa ) ~ 15th - 16th June

For the energetic, it is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the hill. Proceed to Salay (52 km, approx 1 and 1/2 hour) along the Ayeyarwaddy rivebank.

Wicker ball ceremony (Mahamuni, Mandalay) ~ 1st - 30th July

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 (all over the country ) ~ 14th - 15th July

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.

Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Pwe (Mingun, Mandalay) ~ 18th - 20th July

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.

 August 2011

Taung Byone Nat Pwe (Madayar, Mandalay) ~ 8th - 14th  August

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.

Kyaungdawyar Pagoda Festival (Min Bu, Magway) ~ 18th August - 17th November

A famous religious festival also known as "Fish Feeding Festival". People believe that thousands of big fishes, you can see only in this period, come to pay homage to the pagoda.

Yadana Gu Nat festival (Amapura, Mandalay) ~ 22nd - 28th August

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. Meldaw, Mewanna <mother of the two Lords> who came back from Taungbyone Festival, on her way back to Mt. Popa, she halted at the Yadanagu as her transit-camp.

September 2011

Manuha Pagoda Festival ~ 12th September

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 (Taungthaman Inn, Mandalay) ~ 15th - 27th September

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.

October 2011

Mya Tha Lun Pagoda Festival (Magwe) ~ 8th - 12th October

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.

Thadingyut Light Festival (throughout Myanmar) ~ 11th - 12th October

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 ( Mandalay) ~ 11th - 14th October

The image was cast out of a single piece of alabaster in 1864 under the guidance of king Mindon.

Festival of Light and Fire Ball (Kyaing tong ) ~ 11th - 12th October

Indein Pagoda Festival (Inle Lake) ~ 17th - 20th October

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

Poewintaung Ceremony (Monywar ) ~ 31st October - 05th November

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

Balloons Flying Festival (Taunggyi) ~ 05th - 10th November

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 and balloons would sting along fireworks and fire sticks which are set off mid-air fireworks.

Robe Weaving Contest (throughout Myanmar ) ~ 09th - 10th November

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 (Golden Rock) ~ 09th - 10th November

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 9th is 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 (ceremony of offering robes to monks). 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) Taungyi ~ 09th - 11th November

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

Kaung Mudaw Festival Sagaing ~ 09th - 10th November

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

Ann Tribe Ann Tribe Fertility Festival (Kyaing tong) ~ 09th - 10th  November

Mt. Popa Nat Sprit festival (Mt. Popa ) ~ 09th - 10th November

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.

Shan New Year Celebration (Kyaing tong) ~ 24th November

Many different Shan tribes are celebrate with offering to the Buddha and traditional dance and feast.

A Buddhist festival celebrates and old Buddha statute site.

New Rice Harvest Festival (Kyaing Tong) ~ 24th - 26th November

On this particular period Ann hill tribe celebrate fertility festival. Very interesting with traditional group dancing and drinking etc.

December 2011

Akha New Year Celebration (Kyaing Tong) ~ 28th December - 03rd January 2012