Kachin New Year Festival (Manaw Pwe) - 10th January

Kachin, one of the largest ethnic races of Myanmar live in the Northern part of the country. The Kachin State is the roof of the country inhabited by the different Kachin races of Jainhpaw, Azi, Rawang, Lashi, Mashu and Lisu. The land is swept by chill breezes blowing from the Himalayas and the streams with crystal clear and icy waters of melted snow. The races dwell in villages by rivulets or in valleys or on hill tops, each with their own language, customs and culture. Like all the other races of the Union of Myanmar, they are proud of their roots. For harvest or New Year festival, different races all over the land gather to celebrating, feasting, dancing and sharing a good time with all their clans. During Manaw Pwe, they come out in special clothes, some so priceless and rare that they are handed down from generation to generation. Many costumes have designs or colours that mean something, either about the family or the rank and wealth of the wearer. The traditional Manaw poles decorated in Kachin motifs are in the centre of the festival compound where the dancers dance around to show of gratitude to their ancestral spirits and their wish for a bright future. All the visitors are warmly welcome to join the dance.

Naga New Year - La He (Hkamti) - 14th - 15th January

Naga is a hiding ancient in Myanmar. Although most people have heard about Naga tribes there is some who have seen them and only a few who have been to their place. In every January, the Naga nationalities gather at one of their towns to celebrate their New Year. Dressed in their finery of beads, feathers, fur, fangs and claws of boar, bear and tiger, they parade into town after walking several days over mountains and through valleys. As soon as each tribe arrives in town they would march straight to the ceremonial hall called Paan built on a high ground. There they will beat long drums hollowed from a whole tree trunk before resting from their long journey. Their customs may differ but on the whole they live by the concept that they are brothers to the spirits of nature. The festival lasts two days and in these particular days one will see the most unique Nagas gathering from the entire region with festive mode in different costumes as there is many main clans with splinter groups of tribes that usually do not share the same language. One can also enjoy Naga’s unique songs and dances that may never be seen before.

Anandar Pagoda Festival (Bagan) - 27 December 2009- 02 January 2010

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.

Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay) 28th - 29th January

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

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. Worshippers than proceed to Pho U mountaintop where the Lord Buddha is said to have visited and made preordination of events.

Full Moon Festival (All over the country ) - 29th January

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. 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.

Htamane` - Glutinous Rice Festival

Traditionally, it is held on the full moon day of Tabodwe in Myanmar lunar calendar as the harvest festival 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 taste the delicious Myanmar delicacy consisting of glutinous rice freckle of coconut, sesames seeds, peanuts, ginger, and oil, which is specially prepared for the feast.

Kyaik khauk Pagoda Festival (Syrium) ~ 05th - 10th February

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

Maha Muni Pagoda Festival ( Kyauk Taw, Rakhine State) ~ 13th - 27th February

Zeedaw Nat Festival (Monywar) ~ 13th -19th February

Spirit festival is held at Zeedaw village across Chindwin river.

Shwemyitsu Pagoda Festival (Inn dawgyi) ~ 22nd February - 01st March 2010

Ceremony sponsored by Kachin Buddhist. The summer, a footpath leading to the pagoda surfaces enabling pilgrims to walk to the pagoda. Usually the pagoda is surrounded by a large volume of water.

Pindaya Cave Festival (Pindaya, Shan State) ~ 22nd February - 01st March 2010

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

Shwedagone Pagoda Festival (Yangon) ~ 22nd February - 01st March 2010

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

Kekku Pagoda Festival (Taunggyi) ~ 22nd February - 01st March 2010

Traditional Pa O Theatrical performances and singing contests are included.

Taung Gwe Zedi Festival (Loi Kaw) ~ 22nd February - 01st March 2010

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) ~ 24th- 27th February

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

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.

Full Moon Day of Tabaung (All over the country) ~ 26th - 27th February

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) ~ 27th February - 07th March 2010

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

March is 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 (Bago) ~ 22nd - 29th March

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) ~ 26th - 30th March

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

Fullmoon day of Tagu (All over the country) ~ 28th - 29th March

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

Myanmar’s Traditional New Year Festival or the Water Festival ~ 14th - 16th April

According to Myanmar lunar calendar, New Year Days fall on every second week of April. Myanmar people all over the country celebrate the New Year Festival by throwing water to each other for three days before the New Year Day meaning to wash out all the moral dirt and sins of the old year.

As such, the Myanmar New Year Festival is also known as Water Festival. It has been celebrated in Myanmar over 500 years ago. In Myanmar this festival is called ‘Thingyan’ which means “moving from one year to another”. According to the ancient tradition of Myanmar, there is a belief that one may commit sins the whole year and that these sins could be washed away during the festival and purified both in mind and spirit by throwing one another with Thingyan Water. Moreover, there’s also a custom in Myanmar to set free live fish and cows during the festival.

New Year Day (All over the country) ~ 17th April

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 (Mrauk U) ~ 20th - 27th April

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 (all over the country) ~ 26th - 27th April

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.

Taung Yoe Festival Pindaya Cave, Shan State ~ 26th - 27th April

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 ~ 26th - 27th April

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.