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Independence
Day
Celebrations arranged by the government at People's Park
in Yangon and across the whole country. Ceremonies are
very early at 0420 am and can usually not be attended by
the public. All government offices and markets are
closed. |
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The whole country |
4-Jan |
4-Jan |
Kachin Manaw Festival (State Day
Festival)
Kachin State day is on 10 Jan. They festival will be
held one day ahead of State day. But they celebrate once
in 4th year or 10th year. Please check with us whether
celebrate or not. |
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Kachin State |
9-Jan |
10-Jan |
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Nar-ga New Year
The New Year is celebrated form January 14 to 15. On
14th, 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 Narga, once fierce
warriors in their bright and exotic dresses, celebrate
with rice wine roasted meat and tribal dances performed
with loud beating of drums. |
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Chin State |
14-Jan |
15-Jan |
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Ananda Pagoda
Festival
Ananda Pagoda festival will be held starting from 06 to
21 January. There are evening entertainments such as
Zats: a variety of dance, song, short and long plays,
Anyeints: a performance of a few hours in which number
of jokers caricature current situations and or person
strung together by a traditional dancer, popular movies
shown in open air. It is also a popular sales fair where
all kinds of goods, some of them are locally produced,
are sold. The most interesting aspect of this festival
is the caravan of bullock-carts in the pagoda compound,
camp under the shady trees. It is very crowded around
the fullmoon day, 08 -13 January 2006. |
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Bagan |
6-Jan |
21-Jann |
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Kaya State Day |
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Kaya State |
8-Jan |
8-Jan |
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Feast of Shan Harvest Day |
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Shan State |
1-Feb |
1-Feb |
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Shan State Day |
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Shan State |
7-Feb |
7-Feb |
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Union Day
Celebrations arranged by the government at People's Park
in Yangon and across the whole country. Mostly early
morning. All offices and markets are closed |
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The whole country |
12-Feb
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12-Feb |
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Mahamuni
Ceremony
01st –09th waxing day, ceremony in which a number of
monks chant Buddhist scriptures non-stop. 08 the waxing
day till fullmoon day: the real festival days with
evening entertainment such as Zats (a variety of dance,
song and short & long plays), Anyeints ( a performance
of a few hours in which a number of “jokers” ( usually
four) caricature current situations and /or persons
strung together by a traditional dancer) and popular
movies shown in open air. In the day time, there are
many stalls selling various kinds of Myanmar snacks
displayed in continuous rows of long tables. On the 08th
waxing day (n), there is a communal offering of food
(dry rations) and various domestic articles to monks
from the nearby monasteries (ca.100) lined up as in
usual offerings. |
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Mandalay |
5-Feb |
20-Feb |
Kyaik-Khauk Pagoda Festival
Kyaik-Khauk Pagoda Festival will be held starting from
05 to 13 February. Most of the pagoda festival has
evening entertainments such as Zats, Anyeints, some
stage show and movies shown in the open air the whole
night for every day. Villagers nearby come to the
festival by ox-carts, which can be seen just before and
on fullmoon day (12 February). |
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Syriam |
5-Feb |
13-Feb |
Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival (Shwe
Myin Tin Pagoda)
Similar to most of the pagoda festivals with most of the
ingredients as in the Mahamuni Pagoda Festival. It is a
famous pagoda festival in Maymyo. In addition, we can
observe several Shan and other ethnic groups who come
from the hills to sell their products. |
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Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) |
5-Feb |
12-Feb |
Peasants' Day
Held in honour of the country’s largest productive
workforce. |
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The whole country |
2-Mar |
2-Mar |
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Maw-Tin Pagoda Festival |
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Ngapudaw, near Pathein |
27-Feb |
13-Mar |
Shwe Saryan Pagoda Festival
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 are the best selling village products
in this festival. |
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Shwe Saryan Village,Patheingyi, Mandalay |
27-Feb |
13-Mar |
Pakhan Ko Gyi Kyaw Festival
Regional Nat festival like Taung Byone and Yadanar Gu.
|
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Shwe Gu Ni Village (between Pakkoku and Myingyan) |
1-Mar |
13-Mar |
Indawgyi Festival
Ca. 100 miles far from Myintkyina. 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. People
believe that one is for human use and the other is a
passage for the gods. These two sandbanks disappear into
the lake shortly after the festival. |
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Hopin, near Myintkyina |
3-Mar |
13-Mar |
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Zalun Pyidawpyan Image Festival |
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Zalun, near Pathein |
7-Mar |
13-Mar |
Baw-gyo Festival
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 jewellers
from Kyauk Me who try and sell their products there.
Many kinds of gambling are allowed during the festival
days only. |
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near Hsipaw Shan State |
8-Mar |
13-Mar |
Kakku Pagoda Festival
On the fullmoon day (13 Mar)-Alms offering is carried
out by the native (Pa-O) people dressed in their
traditional black out fits. There is the festival market
also. |
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Kakku (near Taunggyi) |
11-Mar |
14-Mar |
Pindaya Cave Festival
On full moon day 13th Mar) in Pindaya with offerings
made by the native tribes such as Danu, Pa-O, Taung Yoe
and Palaung. Festivities include performances with
roaming artisans and the festival market. |
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Pindaya |
11-Mar |
14-Mar |
Nay Win Taung Pagoda Festival
Same as Nyan Taw Pagoda Festival. Traditional Shan
festival. It takes place in the northern part of Maymyo,
about an hour’s drive from the downtown area.
|
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Maymyo |
13-Mar |
13-Mar |
Tabaung Fullmoon Day
Ceremonies are held at pagodas all over the country |
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The whole country |
13-Mar |
13-Mar |
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Armed Forces Day |
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The whole country |
27-Mar |
27-Mar |
Water Festival
Myanmar people celebrate the famous waterfestival called
“Thingyan”. One cannot avoid of getting very wet because
every one throws water at everybody. People drive
through the city in open cars and there are stages along
the street where people throw water. During this time,
everything is closed: restaurants, shops, markets,
Museum, etc. |
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The whole country |
13-Apr |
16-Apr |
Sand Stupa Festival
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. The celebration dates are not the same and
depend on the different quarters where the festival is
held. |
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Min Thar Su Quarter Mandalay |
15-Apr |
15-Apr |
Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival
Same with the other pagoda festival. There are evening
entertainment such as Zats, Anyeints, stage show and
also a popular sales fair where all kinds of goods, most
of them are clothes, toys & kitchen supplies. ( not
expensive one) |
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Bago |
5-Apr |
1-May |
Myanmar New Year
This is the start of the new year and the end of the
waterfestival. The whole country is very quiet and
everything is closed. |
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The whole country |
17-Apr |
17-Apr |
Popa Ceremony
Nat dances on Mt. Popa. Very crowded and difficult to
get up the mountain. |
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Mt. Popa |
17-Apr |
17-Apr |
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May Day |
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The whole country |
1-May |
1-May |
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Sand Stupa Festival - see 14 April
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Yahai Quarter, Mandalay |
9-May |
9-May |
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Sand Stupa Festival - see 14 April |
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Pa Le Ngwe Yaung, Mandalay |
10-May |
11-May |
ShweKyetYetEvent
Crowded with people pouring water to the sacred Bo tree. |
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Shwe Kyet Yet, Amarapura |
10-May |
11-May |
Kason Fullmoon Day
Pouring water to the sacred Bo tree. No other special
entertainment. Just only a small ceremony all over the
country. Especially lots of crowds at Shwekyetyet
Pagoda. |
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The whole country |
11-May |
11-May |
Shite-thaung Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival will be held on 3rd (Full moon day)
as same as the others pagoda festival but they have one
exiting thing is they have traditional boxing show.
|
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Mrauk U |
11-May |
11-May |
Thihoshin Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival will be held from 26 May to 09
July. There is festival market and also evening
entertainments such as Zats, Anyeints and Movies.
|
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Pakkoku |
3-Jun |
18-Jun |
Chin Lone Festival ( Mahamuni Waso
festival)
Chin Lone (Cane Ball) tournament held in Mandalay. It is
used to held in Mahamuni Pagoda compound almost a month
for every day and night. Cane ball players from all over
the country come up to Mandalay to enjoy this festival.
We can enjoy to see several ways of playing Chin Lone
and racing by either team or individual together with
local / folk music played while entertaining the
audience. |
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Mandalay |
18-Jun |
25-Jul |
Martyr's Day
The day of the assassination of General Aung San and
other ministers. Early morning (private) memorial
services at the monument near Shwedagon Pagoda. |
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The whole country |
19-Jul |
19-Jul |
Waso Fullmoon Day
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. |
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The whole country |
9-Jul |
9-Jul |
Shwe Kyun Pin Festival
Regional Nat festival. Can observe several kinds to
ceramic wares from Singaing and Kyaukmyaung are laid out
at the bank of river for sale during the festival.
|
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Mingun Mandalay |
26-Jul |
1-Aug |
Taung Byone Festival
Traditional Nat Festival. The most famous in Upper
Myanmar. 01 hour drive from Mandalay. It lasts five days
and every day has special programs. Festival where
especially youngsters are merry and enjoy drinking and
where people of all ages can join in the Nat dance.
Ceremonies are mostly at night and it is very hard to
get into the village . |
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Matara, near Mandalay |
1-Aug |
8-Aug |
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Fish Feeding Ceremony |
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Pwinphyu, near Magwe |
8-Aug |
8-Aug |
Yadanar Gu Festival
Traditional Nat festival on the Mandalay-Sagaing road.
Approx. Half an hour drives from Mandalay. We can take a
small sampan along the lake up to the Nat Shrine hall. |
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Amarapura |
16-Aug |
22-Aug |
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Shwe Kyet Yet Boat racing festival |
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Shwe Kyet Yet Jetty |
30-Aug |
30-Aug |
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
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 colourful, and there are fun fairs,
music, dances and boat races. Since this festival lasts
very long, please check with us for exact dates and
events. |
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Inle Lake |
24-Sep |
9-Oct
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Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda Festival
It’s situated at the foot of Mandalay hill, within a
short walking distance from Novotel Hotel. It is
considered popular sales fair where all kinds of goods
(some of them locally produced) are sold. Next to that
is the usual organization of events similar to other
Pagoda Festivals. |
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Mandalay |
29-Sep |
6-Oct |
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Myathalon Festival |
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Magwe |
29-Sep |
28-Oct |
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Shinbinsagyo Pagoda Ceremony |
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Salay |
5-Oct |
6-Oct |
Elephant Dance Festival
Yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse, 26 miles to the
south of Mandalay. The whole town competes, not only for
the best “elephant dance”-performance, but at the same
time for the nicest-decorated “elephant”. For the dance
itself: two men get inside at life-size hollowed-out
papier-mâché elephant figure and imitate the movements
of a real elephant. Usually, there is a ‘lead’-man who
coordinates the movements of the dancers, assisted by a
small number of musicians. The festival is celebrated on
the day before full moon day of Thadingyut . As the day
progresses, it is getting more and more crowded because
people nearby villages and as far away as Mandalay come
to Kyaukse and join in the festivities. |
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Kyaukse |
5-Oct |
5-Oct
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Tadingyut Festival
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.
|
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The whole country |
5-Oct |
7-Oct |
Shwezigon Festival
Shwezigon Festival will be held starting from 28
Octotber to 12 November. There are evening
entertainments such as Zats: (a variety of dances,
songs, short and long plays), Anyeints (a performance of
a few hours in which a number of "jokers" caricature
current situations and or person strung together by a
traditional dancer, popular movies shown in open air. On
full moon day ( 04th Nov), there is a communal offering
of food and various domestic articles to the monks from
the nearby monasteries (ca. 600) lined up as in usual
offerings. |
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Bagan
|
28-Oct |
12-Nov |
Thanbodde Pagoda Ceremony
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment
provided. Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles
(cotton blankets and longyis mainly) can be bought at
the various stalls around the pagoda area. |
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Monywa |
30-Oct |
4-Nov
|
Phowintaung Festival
Like other pagoda festival with the usual entertainment
provided. Myanmar thanaka, sandalwood and woven textiles
(cotton blankets and longyis mainly) can be bought at
the various stalls around the pagoda area. |
 |
Monywa |
30-Oct |
4-Nov |
Kaunghmudaw Pagoda Festival
The most interesting aspect of this festival is the
caravan of bullock-carts in the pagoda compound. Some of
the carts carry their village products, such as
hand-woven cotton cloths and cane mats, to sell them
there. They like to camp under the shade of the trees.
|
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Sagaing |
30-Oct |
4-Nov
|
Fire Balloon Festival
Taunggyi Fire balloons festival will be held from 01 -
04 November and can watch the various competitions of
hot- air balloons. At day-time, see the competitions of
decorated hot-air balloons in different shapes and forms
of animals such as elephants, horse, cattle, pig
mythical Hintha bird and hen etc. Also see the fireworks
and firecrackers of hot air-balloon at night time.
|
 |
Taunggyi |
1-Nov
|
4-Nov |
Robe Weaving Contest
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 robes, called “Ma Tho
Thin Gan” from the evening onwards at dawn. It is still
done in the traditional way and lots of people enjoy
watching the demonstrations. At dawn, the robes are
offered to the great image of Lord Buddha and followed
by the prize giving ceremony for the winners.
|
 |
Big Cities |
3-Nov |
3-Nov |
Shin Mar Le Pagoda Festival
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. |
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Thazi |
3-Nov |
4-Nov |
Tazaungdaing Fullmoon Festival
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 – at least once in his/her life – to participate in
this event. Especially Sagaing attracts quite some
crowds, as it is known as the Buddhist place of retreat
per excellence in the country with a concentration of
monasteries, nunneries and pagodas in that area. Many
people (even from Mandalay) go and spend the whole night
(preceding full moon day) in Sagaing. |
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The whole country |
4-Nov
|
4-Nov |
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National Day |
|
The whole country |
14-Nov |
14-Nov |
Shwemyetmhan (Golden Sceptical)
Pagoda Festival
This pagoda festival is as same as the others pagoda
festival. But one interesting thing is during the
British time, Mrs. Hurtno wife of the commissioner was
relieved from her eye disease after she offered a pair
of glasses to the Buddha. Local people who lives around
this area they believe that whoever have a problem with
eyes they make novena to this pagoda. |
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Shwetaung |
8-Dec |
15-Dec |
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Taung Byone Natto (Sit Htwet) Nat Festival |
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Taung Byone Village |
4-Dec |
4-Dec
|
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Minmahagiri Nat Ceremony |
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Popa |
4-Dec |
4-Dec
|
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Christmas Day |
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The whole country |
25-Dec |
25-Dec |
