Best Myanmar Festivals

There are hundreds of festivals in Myanmar from month to month through different states. The majority of Myanmar Festivals are dedicated for religious and culture, all of them are determined by the lunar calendar. You may find more festivals at our page of Myanmar Public Holidays.

For Burmese people, the most important festival is Thingyan or New Year Festival which takes places in April, filled by water fun, special rites, big meals and wishes. 
These are some outstanding festivals that you should participate if you have a chance :

Naga New Year Festival
Date and time : Usually January 14 to 16 Lathe or Layshi, Savgaing Region
Naga New Year Festival is one of the rarest ceremonies in Myanmar. There are more than 49 different clans with their own distinctive dresses and dialects. They usually gather annually to celebrate the New Year which falls on January 15. Package tours are available to visit the Naga New Year Festival of Myanmar.
 

Manao Festival in Myitkyina
Time: 10th January (every year)
This festival is celebarted by Kachin tribe with traditional dances, colorful costomes and a fun night.

Anandar Pagoda Festival
Time and palce: 23th – 29th January , in Bagan
A unique and very important Buddhist festival. 26th January is the full moon day and most crowded day

Thingyan New Year Festival 
Time and place: 13th - 16th April , National wide
Celebrated to welcome Myanmar New Year for four days. It also marks the end of the old year and beginning of the new.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival
Time and palce: 05th -22nd October, Inle Lake, Shan State
The procession of the Inle leg-rowers in full pageantry and ceremonial splendor is a sight not to be missed by anyone visiting Myanmar.

Balloons Flying Festival
Time and place: 12th - 17th November ,Taunggyi in Shan State
Lu Ping festival commonly known as hot balloon festival celebrates by Pa O, one of the many ethnic groups in the Shan state region.

Tazaungdaing Light Festival
Time and place: 16th - 17th November , national wide
People carry the pendals on their shoulders proceed through town and gather in the city monastery. Homes and offices are colorfully lit and you will see fireworks and hot air balloons at night.

Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival
Time and places: 18th -19th October
Men take their places inside a large elephant figure made from bamboo and paper dance around the town to the accompaniment of Dobat and Drums. Elephant dancers circle three times at the foot of the hill to pay homage to the Shwe Tha Lyaung Pagoda

Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Date and time : Full Moon Day of Tabaung,Yangon
Shwe Dagon Pagoda is the most well known pagoda in Myanmar and this Pagoda Festival is one of the most visited festivals for pilgrims all over the country. There is a competition to weave the holy robes using traditional looms to be offered to the Buddha Images at the four corners of the pagoda before dawn. Monks recite the Holy Scriptures 24 hours continuously throughout the duration of the festival, Buddhist devotees pay homage every day and their donations go towards the preservation of the Pagoda.

Other festivals:
Kachin Manaw Festival (Kachin New Year Festival), Mann Shwe Settaw Pagoda Festival,Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Festival,Maha Muni Pagoda Festival (Mandalay), Htamane (Glutinous Rice Festival),Ko Gyi Kyaw Spirit Festival, Shwe Nattaung Pagoda Festival, Maw Tin Zun Pagoda Festival,Bawgyo Pagada Festival,Pindaya Shwe Oo Min Festival ,Shwe Myet Hman Pagoda Festival