Myanmar Public & National Holidays (2026)

Officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and formerly known as Burma, Myanmar is a country in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is considered the ‘Golden Land’. The Pagodas and temples are popular among tourists and the Shwedagon Pagoda, in particular, is the most important pagoda as it reveals early British occupation in Burma during the first Anglo-Burmese War.

Myanmar is the 26th most populous country in the world with an estimated population of 54,202,671 people. It is also the 40th largest country by area, spanning 676,575 km².

Public holidays in Myanmar consists of religious and national holidays observed by Burmese across the country.

When are public holidays in Myanmar?

Which are the public holidays in Myanmar?

New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a national holiday in Myanmar, celebrating the first day of the New Year of the Gregorian calendar.

Independence Day
Myanmar’s Independence Day marks the date in 1948 when they proclaimed their freedom from Britain. Myanmar was under British control since 1886 and there was strong resentment against their rule, with the Buddhist monks playing a key role in the Independence movement.

Union Day
Union Day in Myanmar is an annual public holiday which marks the date in 1947 when the Panglong Agreement was signed and passed. The agreement was a key event in the history of Myanmar as it directly led to the creation of Burma as an independent state in January 1948

Peasants’ Day
Also known as Farmers’ Day, this day marks and honors the contribution of agriculture and farming to Myanmar.

Full Moon Day of Tabaung
Commonly known as Magja Buja, this festival is the second most important Buddhist festival. It is during this festival that ceremonial offerings are made to 28 different statues of Buddha. Across Myanmar, Buddhist devotees will flock to the temples to earn merit.

Armed Forces Day
The Armed Forces Day in Myanmar commemorates the rebellion against the Japanese occupation during World War II.

Thingyan
Thingyan is the Burmese New Year festival that usually occurs in the middle of April. It is also known as the Myanmar Water Festival, water-throwing or dousing one another from any shape or form of vessel or device that delivers water is the distinguishing feature of this festival. The tradition originates from the custom of washing away the bad luck and misfortune of the previous year, entering the new year cleansed from the past.

Labor Day
Labor Day in Myanmar marks the achievements of the Labor Movement.

Full Moon Day of Kasong
Also known as Buddha Purnima, this is the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar and marks three key events in Buddha’s life – his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana.

Full Moon Day of Waso
This public holiday in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Waso, the fourth month in the Burmese calendar. It marks the start of Buddhist Lent and the anniversary of Buddha’s first sermon on the Four Noble Truths.

Martyr’s Day
Martyr’s Day in Myanmar commemorates the assassination of General Aung San and several other cabinet members in 1947.

Eid-al-Adha
Like many countries, Myanmar celebrates Eid-al-Adha to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice to God.

Full Moon Day of Thadingyut
The festival marks Buddha’s preaching of Abhidhamma to the gods in Trayastrimsa and the end of the Buddhist period of fasting.

Full Moon of Tazaungmone
The Full Moon of Tazaungmone marks the end of the rainy season in Myanmar, as well as the end of the Kathina festival during which monks are offered alms including new robes.

National Day
Myanmar’s National Day marks the beginning of the student-led protests against the British in 1920. This holiday is to remember the key role played by students in the creation of modern-day Myanmar.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Myanmar celebrates the nativity of Jesus Christ and is celebrated worldwide.

New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a public holiday in Myanmar that celebrates the last day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.

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