January-February

The first major festival of the year takes place in January or February during the lunar month of Tabodwei. It is held in Thanlyin at the Kyiak Khauk Pagoda and has a country fair like feel. Villagers arrive in caravans of bullock carts and come to sell everything ranging from baskets, pots and stone mortars to woven mats and leather harnesses. Cultural performances and puppet shows are performed throughout the seven night festival.

April

The traditional Myanmar Water Festival called Thingyan occurs each April during the four days leading up to the Buddhist New Year’s Day. People go outside and get soaked by sprayed water from hoses or thrown from buckets. People also watch dancing and singing that are performed on stages called pandals set up throughout the city. The largest stage is in located in front of the Yangon City Hall. Older people or those with not enough energy for the abundance of water splashing often relax at home, meditate, or go on holy pilgrimages.

October

Each October during the Full Moon Day of the lunar month of Thadingyut the Festival of Lights takes place and brings the Buddhist Lent to an end. The Buddhist Lent lasts three months and during the time monks are supposed to remain in their monasteries. It is the belief that after Lent when Lord Buddha returns to the Adobe of Humans, people on Earth welcome him happily. Candles, paper lanterns, and fire balloons light up the city. 

November

During November another Festival of Lights takes place which celebrates the Full Moon Day of Tazuangmone. There are many festivities before the full moon day such as the night long weaving contest which occurs at the Shwedagon Pagoda. In addition, the Swedagon Pagoda is light up with over 9000 candles. Also around the same time, the rite of floating a raft holding an image of a disciple of Lord Buddha, Shin Uppaguffa, is practiced at the Kheng Hock Keong Chinese temple on Strand Road while Hindu temples celebrate their own version of the Festival of Lights Dipavali.

Nat pwe

A ceremony of spirits called Nat Pwe is held after October brings good weather. These ceremonies last three days and offer music, singing, dancing, food, and praying to ancient nat deities. Each diety is associated with especially composed music and songs. The images of these deities are placed on a stage and are offered fruit, flowers, food, and drink. The deities are said to help those who worship them such as Mother Goddess of Papa helps unhappy wives, and her sons help worshipers financially. Elder Brother Kyaw on the other hand is the patron of drinkers and gambles while Mother Gyan helps those with lost cattle. For one who wishes to view a nat pwe at any other time during the year, one can visit the Hintha Gon Pagoda in Bago where these festivals occur daily.