12 Months of Festival in Myanmar
The Highlights
Thingyan New Year Festival in APRIL
Thingyan, the Burmese New Year festival, is Myanmar’s most famous celebration. Held in April over four days, it brings people together nationwide. The main tradition involves splashing water on each other, symbolizing the washing away of bad luck from the past year. People also perform good deeds, such as donating food, caring for elders, and observing religious practices. The festival is filled with colorful costumes, music, dancing, and joyful energy.
Kason Bodhi Tree Watering Festival in MAY
The Kason Festival, held in May, is one of Myanmar’s most sacred religious events. It honors the day when Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passed away. On the full moon of Kason, thousands of devotees pour scented water on the sacred Bodhi (banyan) trees, especially around pagodas, to protect them from the intense heat. This act reflects deep Buddhist faith, respect for nature, and the belief in Buddha’s presence and teachings. The Bodhi tree symbolizes peace, wisdom, and the spiritual connection to the Buddha.
Nayon Tipitaka Festival in JUNE
The Nayone Festival celebrates the completion of the Tipitaka, the sacred Buddhist scriptures that were written down by monks over 700 years. During this festival, religious exams are held for monks, nuns, and lay students, and there are recitation competitions where participants try to memorize and recite scripture accurately. Taking place in June, when jasmine flowers fill the air with their fragrance, the festival is a meaningful time to explore Burmese Buddhism and learn about the spiritual and scholarly traditions of Myanmar.
Waso Dhammasekya Festival in JULY
The Waso Festival, held in July, marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent and the rainy season in Myanmar. During this time, monks remain in their monasteries for three months of meditation and study. People support them by offering food, robes, medicines, and donations. Elders often fast and prepare religious offerings, showing deep devotion. On the full moon day, Robe Weaving Competitions take place across the country. The festival is a special time of generosity and spiritual reflection, showcasing the Burmese people’s strong religious faith and kindness.
Waguang Sayetanme Festival in AUGUST
The Wagaung Festival, held in August, is a unique Buddhist tradition focused on giving alms by casting lots. Donors prepare alms-bowls filled with rice, curry, and fruit, which are then distributed to monks through a lottery system. After the monks receive their bowls, another draw is held among the donors, and the lucky winner receives a prize, encouraging more charitable acts. The festival blends generosity with fun, making it a joyful celebration of merit and community spirit in Myanmar.
Tawthalin Boat Racing Festival in SEPTEMBER
Tawthalin means “the sky is clear ” with nice weather. Tawthalin month is full of a romantic aura. During this time, the rivers are calm and quiet, inviting aquatic sportsmen to participate in the activities. This is a month dedicated to boat races. Boat racing has been an important part of Burmese history since the reign of kings. Songs, poems, and novels prove that boat races aren’t just about speed; they also display talent and grace. On the full moon day of Tawthalin month, people submit to the five virtues to have good luck and keep virtuous.
Thadingyut Lighting Festival in OCTOBER
The Festival of Lights, Thadingyut festival, is held in October, is a time when people decorate their homes and businesses with lights. It is a time when people celebrate the end of the Buddhist lent period. This is a celebration of the Buddha’s return from heaven where he had spent the lent teaching of Dhamma to angels including his reincarnated mother. It is a time for forgiving bad actions to elders including parents, teachers, relatives and friends. It is also Christmas time in Myanmar because family members gather to celebrate the Lighting Festival together. If you’re visiting Myanmar during the Thadingyut festival, be sure to enjoy the celebrations!
Tazaungmone Offerings Festival in NOVEMBER
In this month, Burmese people celebrate the Kahtein Festival which involves robes and accessories, foods, medicines and novel money collected from the neighborhood and offered back to monks. On the way to the monastery, people sing and dance in order to spread donation joy around the neighborhood. There is also the famous Tazaungdine light festival celebrated this month. This is one of the most spectacular Myanmar festivals, which is held at the end of November. It’s a festival of lights, when huge hot air balloons are released into the sky, carrying with them thousands of lanterns. It’s a festive season in the truest sense of the phrase.
Nattaw Literature Festival in DECEMBER
The Nattaw Festival, celebrated in December, is dedicated to honoring literary excellence in Myanmar. It features award ceremonies that recognize achievements in various literary fields, continuing a tradition that dates back to the time of Myanmar kings. Renowned historical writers such as Na-wa-de, Nat-shin-naung, Myawady Mingyi U Sa, and especially U Ponnya—often called the “Burmese Shakespeare”—are remembered and celebrated. U Ponnya was known for his plays based on Buddhist Jataka tales, including the famous “Yethe Pyazat”, which remains part of the national school curriculum.
Pyatho Equestrian Festival in JANUARY
Myanmar’s cultural festivals beautifully combine historical pride and religious devotion. Independence Day, celebrated on January 4th, marks the country’s freedom from colonial rule with local races, games, and community celebrations. The month of Nattaw, known for its pleasant weather, is ideal for Pagoda Festivals, which take place nationwide. These events feature religious offerings, traditional dances, comedy shows, and bustling markets. Famous festivals like those at Shwedagon, Kyaikhtiyo, Bawbawgyi, and Ananda Pagoda each carry unique customs. At the heart of these celebrations is the act of offering flowers, food, robes, and lights to the Buddha, expressing both gratitude and a spiritual path toward enlightenment.
Tabodwe Glutinous Rice Festival in FEBRUARY
The Tabodwe Glutinous Rice Festival is a popular seasonal celebration in Myanmar, held on the full moon day of Tabodwe. The festival features the traditional Htamane-making competition, where teams of four to five people compete to create the best Htamane—a tasty glutinous rice snack made with ingredients like groundnut oil, ginger, coconut shavings, peanuts, and sesame. The contest judges teams on taste, presentation, hygiene, and cooking skills, with the audience often helping choose the winner. Htamane is believed to bring good luck for the coming year, and after the competition, it is shared generously with neighbors and visitors. If you visit Myanmar during Tabodwe, trying Htamane is a delightful experience not to be missed.
Tabaung Sand Pagoda Festival in MARCH
The Tabodwe Glutinous Rice Festival is a cherished seasonal event in Myanmar held on the full moon day of Tabodwe. Central to the festival is the traditional Htamane-making competition, where teams skillfully prepare a sticky rice dish using glutinous rice, peanut oil, coconut, sesame seeds, ginger, and peanuts. The lively contest has judges and the audience voting on taste, presentation, hygiene, and technique. Beyond the contest, the festival emphasizes generosity and community spirit, as freshly made Htamane is shared with neighbors and visitors as a symbol of gratitude and a wish for good fortune. This event offers visitors a delicious way to experience Myanmar’s rich cultural traditions.
Posted by Dora Han, 2022