Manaw Festival
Where : Myitkyina, Kachin State
When : January 8' 2009
Duration : 1 day
Traditional Kachin Manaw Festival to celebrate the New year. All the Kachin clans will congregate at Myitkyina to celebrate this event.

Naga New Year
Where : Layshi Township, Sagaing Division
When : January 14-15, 2009
Duration : 2 days
One of the most colourful ceremonies of the country. Different tribes of Naga gather by the hundreds in their colourful costumes to perform ritual dances.

Anada Pagoda Festival
Where : Ananda Pagoda, Bagan
When : One week preceding the full moon day of Pyatho ( 27 Dec 2009 )
Duration : 1 week
One of the most popular festivals in the country. Bowls of alms filled with crips are offered to monks who all wait in a ling line. Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country bullockcarts can be seen.

Kyaikkhauk Pagoda Festival
Where : Thanlyin ( formerly Syriam )
When : 8^th Waxing day of Tabodwe ( 2 - 10 Feb, 2009 ).
A Typical Buddhist Religious festival like a country fair

Mahamuni Ceremonies
Where : Mahamuni precinct, Mandalay
When : 14^th - 15^th waxing days of Tabodwe ( 8 - 9 Feb 2009 )
Duration : 2 days
Glutinous rice delicacy contests are held late on 14^th Waxing day ( 8 Feb ). On the morning of 15^th Waxing day ( 9 Feb ), increase is burnt in large flames in a symbolic gesture of offering heat to the great image.

Bonfire Ceremony
Where : Pyay
When : 9 Feb 2009 ( full moon day of Tabodwe )
Duration : 1 day
White stems of nyan-yoe plants, which emit no smoke when lit, are burnt at four cardinal points on the platform of the pagoda in the early morning of 15^th waxing day. Worshippers then proceed to Pho-U mountain-top resort, where Lord Buddha was said to have visited and made preordination of events.

Kakku Pagoda Festival
Where : Kakku Pagoda precinct, Taunggyi Township
When : 9^th waxing day of Tabaung ( 4 March, 2009 )
Duration : 8 days festival ending March 11
Pa Oh people from all the surrounding villages come in their best costumes to pay homage to the pagoda. Some comes in bullock carts and make camps under the huge banyan trees.

Pindaya Pagoda Festival
Where : Pindaya Township, Southern Shan State
When : 10^th waxing day of Tabaung ( 5 March 2009 )
Duration : 6 days starting from 5-11 March
Traditionally a pagoda festival in honour of the Buddha statues inside the Pindaya Cave.

Home-coming Ceremony
Where : Taungbyone, Mandalay
When : 11^th waxing day of Tabaung ( 6 March 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
Originally held to commemorate the day King Anawrahta returned from his Yunan expedition. Low-key spiritual ceremony.

Nan-pan Ceremony
Where : Inle Lake, Shan State
When : 12^th waxing day of Tabaung ( 7 March 2009 )
Duration : 5 days ceremony ending 11 March
The sight of numerous monks who come in boats and receive food offerings is striking.

Tabaung Festival
Where : Throughout the country
When : Full moon day of Tabaung ( 10 March 2009 )
Duration : 1 days ceremony
Ceremonies at pagodas throughout the country

Shwedagon Pagoda Festival
Where : Yangon
When : Fullmoon day of Tabaung ( 10 March 2009 )
Duration : Approximately one week preceding the fullmoon day.
It is a draditional Buddhist pagoda festival and one of the most important pagoda festival in the country.

Bo Bo Gyi Nat festival
Where : Ah-lone, Monywa
When : 9^th waning day Tabaung ( 19 March 2009 )
Duration : 5 days ceremony ending 23 March 2009.
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 without fail.

Thingyan Festival ( Water Festival )
Where : All over the country
When : 11 - 20 April 2009
Duration : 10 days
Traditional Myanmar New Year Celebrations people pour water over each other in a symbolic gesture of cleansing oneself of sins from the old year. Youths go out for enjoyment while elders take retreat in monasteries and pagoda precincts to perform meritorious deeds. The most festive places are Mandalay & Yangon.

Myanmar New Year Day
Where : All over the country
When : 17 April 2009
Duration : 1 day
Celebrated all over the country to commemorate the Myanmar New Year. This is a deeply religious occasion observed mostly at pagodas and monasteries. Buddhists young and old alike, spend the day performing meritorious deeds such as releasing animals, offering to monks, paying homage to elders, etc…

Popa Ceremony
Where : Popa
When : ( 18 April 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
During Thingyan, pilgrims from the country over pay respect to Popa nat shrines.

Elders' Day Ceremony
Where : Kabar Aye Hillock and elsewhere
When : 13^th waxing day of Tagu ( 17 April 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
An elderly man and an elderly woman from every township in Yangon city areas are invited to Kaba Aye Pagoda Hillock to be presented with various articles and are shampooed and nail-cut as a symbolic gesture of paying respect.

Kason Fullmoon Day
Where : All over the country
When : 8 May 2009
Duration : 1 day
Buddha is said to have attained Enlightement under the Bo Tree and Buddhist flock to pour water on this sacred tree to gain merit. Seen at most prominent pagoda and monastery precincts all over the country on the Fullmoon Day of Kason ( May )

Pakokku Thiho Shin Pagoda Festival
Where : Pakokku, Magway Division
When : 8^th Waxing Day of the month of Nayon to 10^th Waning Day of the month of Nayon ( 31 May - 17 June 2009 ) The Thiho Shin Buddha Image is one of the most revered in Upper Myanmar. A typical Myanmar Buddhist Festival.

Shite-thaung Festival
Where : Mrauk U, Rakhine State
When : Full moon day of Kason ( 8 May 2009 )
Duration : 8 days ceremony ending 16 May 2009
Dummy boat races on land, real boat races and water splashing in Mrauk-U canal on full-moon day. Traditional wrestling’s at the foot of the Pagoda: finals held on full-moon day.

Shwe Kyun Pin Nat Pwe
Where : Mingun, Mandalay
When : 1^st waxing day of Wagaung ( 22 July 2009 )
Duration : 3 days ceremony ending 24 July 2009
Myanmar's last barter market where natives trade by exchange of commodities. Marine vessels, big and small, gather to pay respect whilst plying around on the Ayeyarwaddy. Spirit dances included.
1^st day - attending a nat audience
2^nd day - having a royal bath
3^rd day - cutting down htein tree

Taungbyone Nat Festival
Where : At Taungbyone village near Mandalay
When : 10^th waxing day of Wagaung ( 31 July 2009 )
Duration : 6 days ceremony ending 5 July 2009
The most famous of the Nat ( super natural beings that reward believers ) festivals in Myanmar. This event is visited by all those who worship Nat, especially the traders and merchants who want help for more profits! 6days ceremony ending Aug 16. Held for worshipping two Taungbyone spiritual figures. Major gathering spot for spiritual mediums. Spirit dances are rempant.
1^st day - attending a nat audience
2^nd day - having a royal bath
3^rd day - ascending the throne
4^th day - presenting roast rabbit
6^th day - cutting down htein tree

Kyauk-taw-gyi Festival
Where : Mandalay
When : 14^th waxing day of Thidingyut ( 2 Oct 2009 )
14^th waxing day of Thidingyut ( 13 Oct 2008 )
Duration : 4 day festival
The image was cast out of a single piece of alabaster in 1864 under the guidance of King Mindon.

The Thadingyut or Festival of Lights
Where : Througout Myanmar
When : 14^th waxing day of Tindingyut ( 2 Oct 2009 )
Duration : 3 day festival
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.

Kyaikhtiyo Season
Where : Kyaikhto, Mon State
When : Full-moon day of Tindingyut ( 3 Oct 2009 )
Duration : Approx: 9 months long season
The boulder standing on the edge of a peak in the highest mountain range, is said to be freely hanging over the cliff. Famous as pilgrimage and holiday outing spot.

Lights Festival and Robe-weaving Contest
Where : Shwedagon, Botataung, Kyaikkasan and elsewhere
When : 14^th waxing day of Tazaungmon ( 31 Oct 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
On the 14^th waxing day of Tazaungmon, groups of young women take part in competitions held on the platforms of the pagodas. The robe is to be vinished flawlessly overnight and offered at dawn to the imaes around the pagodas.

Kahtein Robe Offering Ceremony
Where : Taunggyi
When : Full-moon day of Tazaungmon ( 1 Nov 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
Holy robes are offered to the monks at the monasteries. This offering of robes enable the monks to acquire new robes in place of the old ones that were soiled during the monsoon season. The best time to see is from 8 - 11 Am.

Parade of Lights
Where : Taunggyi
When : Fullmoon night of Tazaungmon ( 1 Nov 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
The people of Taunggyi and its environs march through the town with decorated floats and lighted candles to the Sulamuni Pagoda at the edge of the town.

Tazaung-daing Festival of Lights
Where : Taunggyi & throughout the country
When : Fullmoon night of Tazaungmon ( 1 Nov 2009 )
Having fine weather and clear sky, and having the first crip harvested, Myanmar celebrate the night with various kinds of illuminations.

Candle Light Event
Where : Ko-dad-gyi Pagoda in Yangon
When : Fullmoon night of Tazaungmon ( 1 Nov 2009 )
Duration : 1 day
On full-moon day, 9999 candles are ceremoniously lit. At midnight, visitors are served with mixed salad of maezali buds, believed to possess powerful, magical and medicinal properties if eaten at this time.

Kaung Hmu Daw pagoda Festival
Where : Sagaing
When : The Fullmoon day of Tazaungmon ( 1 Nov 2009 )
Duration : 6 day festival ending 17 Nov 2008
The best sopt to watch Myanmar puppet as at Sutaungbyi pagoda festival in Monywa.
Pilgrimage and holiday outings on country oxcarts can be seen.

Christmas Day
Where : Throughout the country
When : 25^th December
Christianity is the largest religion in Myanmar after Buddhism.

Tipitaka Examinations
Where : Kaba Aye Hillock, Yangon
When : 2^nd waxing day of Pyatho ( 17 Dec 2009 )
Recitation of the 3 sets of Buddhist Scriptures are held for 24 days followed by written test for 5 days. Around 150 monks annually sit for the exam.
The titles are bestowed on the monks who pass the exam.