Myanmar, a nation rich in culture and history, celebrates a diverse array of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays encompass religious festivals, national commemorations, and cultural events that reflect the country’s deep-rooted traditions and historical milestones. From the vibrant Thingyan Festival marking the Myanmar New Year to the solemn Martyrs’ Day honoring national heroes, each holiday holds unique significance.
This blog explores the major public holidays in Myanmar in 2025, offering insights into their importance and the customs associated with each celebration. Join us in discovering the vibrant tapestry of Myanmar’s festive calendar.
Public Holidays in Myanmar In 2025
The following is the list of public holidays in Myanmar in 2025.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Independence Day | Jan 04, 2025 | Saturday |
| Union Day | Feb 12, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Peasants’ Day | Mar 02, 2025 | Sunday |
| Full Moon of Tabaung | Mar 13, 2025 | Thursday |
| Armed Forces Day | Mar 27, 2025 | Thursday |
| Thingyan Festival | Apr 13, 2025 | Sunday |
| Thingyan Festival | Apr 14, 2025 | Monday |
| Thingyan Festival | Apr 15, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Thingyan Festival | Apr 16, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Myanmar New Year | Apr 17, 2025 | Thursday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday |
| Full Moon of Kasong | May 11, 2025 | Sunday |
| Full Moon Day of Waso | Jul 09, 2025 | Wednesday |
| Martyrs’ Day | Jul 19, 2025 | Saturday |
| Full Moon Day of Thadingyut | Oct 05, 2025 | Sunday |
| Full Moon Day of Thadingyut | Oct 06, 2025 | Monday |
| Full Moon Day of Thadingyut | Oct 07, 2025 | Tuesday |
| Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon | Nov 03, 2025 | Monday |
| Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon | Nov 04, 2025 | Tuesday |
| National Day | Nov 14, 2025 | Friday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |
| Know more: Public Holidays in Mozambique In 2025 |
New Year’s Day (January 1, 2025)
New Year’s Day in Myanmar is celebrated on January 1st, aligning with the Gregorian calendar. This day marks the beginning of a new year and is a time for reflection and renewal. Families gather to celebrate the end of the old year and the start of the new one, often with meals and special activities. It’s a public holiday, so businesses and schools are closed, allowing people to spend time with their loved ones. Many people take this opportunity to visit pagodas and offer prayers for good fortune and happiness in the coming year. New Year’s resolutions are also popular, with individuals setting goals for self-improvement and success.
Independence Day (January 4, 2025)
Independence Day in Myanmar, celebrated on January 4th, commemorates the country’s independence from British rule in 1948. This day is marked by patriotic ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances that reflect the nation’s history and heritage. Government buildings, streets, and homes are often adorned with the national flag. The day honors the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and emphasizes national pride and unity. It is a time for citizens to reflect on the journey towards sovereignty and to celebrate the progress and achievements of the nation since gaining independence.
Union Day (February 12, 2025)
Union Day in Myanmar is celebrated on February 12th, marking the anniversary of the Panglong Agreement in 1947. This agreement, signed by General Aung San and leaders from various ethnic groups, laid the foundation for the creation of a unified and independent Burma. Union Day is a symbol of national unity and solidarity among Myanmar’s diverse ethnic communities. The day is celebrated with ceremonies, cultural events, and speeches that promote the importance of unity and cooperation. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to build a peaceful and inclusive society where all ethnic groups can coexist harmoniously.
Peasants’ Day (March 2, 2025)
Peasants’ Day in Myanmar is celebrated on March 2nd to honor the contributions of farmers and agricultural workers to the nation’s economy and food security. Agriculture plays a vital role in Myanmar’s economy, with a significant portion of the population engaged in farming. This day acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and resilience of peasants who work tirelessly to produce food and sustain livelihoods. Various events, including agricultural fairs, exhibitions, and award ceremonies, are held to recognize outstanding farmers and promote advancements in farming techniques. Peasants’ Day highlights the importance of agriculture and the need to support and uplift the farming community.
Full Moon of Tabaung (March 13, 2025)
The Full Moon of Tabaung is a significant Buddhist festival in Myanmar, celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Tabaung (March). This day is dedicated to merit-making and paying homage to the Buddha. Devotees visit pagodas and monasteries to offer flowers, candles, and incense, and to participate in religious ceremonies. The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites, sees a large influx of pilgrims during this time. The festival is marked by a sense of devotion, spiritual reflection, and community participation. It is a time for Buddhists to accumulate merit and seek blessings for the well-being and prosperity of themselves and their families.
Armed Forces Day (March 27, 2025)
Armed Forces Day in Myanmar, observed on March 27th, commemorates the beginning of the resistance against Japanese occupation during World War II in 1945. This day honors the bravery and sacrifices of the Myanmar Armed Forces, known as the Tatmadaw. It is marked by grand military parades, ceremonies, and displays of military prowess in the capital city, Naypyidaw. High-ranking officials and dignitaries attend these events to pay tribute to the soldiers who have served the nation. Armed Forces Day serves as a reminder of the military’s role in protecting the sovereignty and security of the country and acknowledges their contributions to maintaining peace and stability.
Thingyan Festival (April 13-16, 2025)
The Thingyan Festival, also known as the Myanmar Water Festival, is celebrated from April 13th to 16th and marks the Myanmar New Year. It is one of the most important and joyous festivals in the country. The festival involves splashing water on one another, symbolizing the washing away of sins and bad luck from the past year. Streets are filled with people enjoying water fights, music, dance performances, and traditional food. Communities come together to clean their homes, pay respects to elders, and make offerings to monks. Thingyan is a time for renewal, purification, and celebration, fostering a sense of unity and happiness among the people.
Myanmar New Year (April 17, 2025)
Myanmar New Year, known as “Thingyan,” is celebrated on April 17th, immediately following the Thingyan Festival. This day marks the beginning of the new year according to the traditional Myanmar calendar. It is a time for religious observances, including visiting pagodas, offering alms to monks, and performing acts of charity. Many people participate in meditation and prayers for health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. The New Year celebrations also involve traditional cultural performances, communal feasts, and family gatherings. It is a day of renewal and reflection, where individuals seek to start the year with positive actions and intentions.
Labour Day (May 1, 2025)
Labour Day, celebrated on May 1st, is a global holiday honoring the contributions and achievements of workers. In Myanmar, this day is recognized as a public holiday to acknowledge the rights and efforts of laborers. It is a day for workers to rest and celebrate their role in building the nation’s economy and infrastructure. Various events, including parades, rallies, and speeches, are organized by labor unions and worker organizations to advocate for better working conditions, fair wages, and workers’ rights. Labour Day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and uplifting the workforce, ensuring their well-being, and promoting social and economic justice.
Full Moon of Kasong (May 11, 2025)
The Full Moon of Kasong, celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Kasong (May), is a significant Buddhist festival in Myanmar. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death (Parinirvana) of the Buddha. Devotees visit pagodas and monasteries to offer flowers, candles, and incense, participate in meditation sessions, and listen to sermons about the life and teachings of the Buddha. The festival is marked by a sense of reverence, reflection, and devotion. It is a time for Buddhists to deepen their faith, accumulate merit, and seek spiritual growth. The Full Moon of Kasong is a day of spiritual significance and community participation.
Full Moon Day of Waso (July 9, 2025)
The Full Moon Day of Waso, celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Waso (July), marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent, known as “Vassa.” This three-month period, during the rainy season, is a time for monastic retreat and heightened religious practice. Monks and nuns stay in their monasteries, dedicating themselves to meditation, study, and reflection. Devotees offer robes, food, and other essentials to the monastic community as acts of merit. The festival is marked by religious ceremonies, almsgiving, and special prayers. It is a time for Buddhists to deepen their spiritual practice and support the monastic community.
Martyrs’ Day (July 19, 2025)
Martyrs’ Day in Myanmar is observed on July 19th to commemorate the assassination of General Aung San and eight other leaders in 1947. These leaders played a crucial role in the country’s struggle for independence from British rule. Martyrs’ Day is marked by solemn ceremonies, wreath-laying, and speeches to honor their sacrifices and contributions to the nation. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of patriotism, unity, and the ongoing efforts to achieve the vision of a free and prosperous Myanmar. It is a time for reflection on the nation’s history and the legacy of those who fought for its independence.
Full Moon Day of Thadingyut (October 5-7, 2025)
The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut, celebrated from October 5th to 7th, marks the end of the Buddhist Lent. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, where homes, streets, and pagodas are illuminated with lights and lanterns. The festival commemorates the Buddha’s descent from heaven after preaching the Abhidhamma to his mother. Devotees engage in merit-making activities, such as offering alms to monks, paying respects to elders, and performing acts of charity. The festival is a time of joy, reflection, and community celebration, fostering a sense of togetherness and spiritual renewal.
Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon (November 3-4, 2025)
The Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon, celebrated on November 3rd and 4th, marks the end of the rainy season and is a time for offering new robes to monks, known as “Kahtina” ceremonies. Devotees gather at monasteries to present robes, food, and other necessities to the monastic community. The festival is marked by religious ceremonies, communal meals, and various cultural performances. It is a time for Buddhists to accumulate merit, express gratitude, and support the monastic community. The Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon is a significant occasion for spiritual reflection, generosity, and community participation.
National Day (November 14, 2025)
National Day in Myanmar is celebrated on the 10th day following the full moon of Tazaungmon, which falls on November 14th in 2025. It commemorates the beginning of the student-led protests against British colonial rule in 1920, marking the start of the independence movement. The day is observed with patriotic ceremonies, speeches, and cultural performances that highlight the nation’s struggle for freedom and the importance of education. National Day is a time for reflection on the country’s history, the contributions of its leaders, and the ongoing efforts to achieve progress and development.
Christmas Day (December 25, 2025)
Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25th, is a significant holiday for the Christian community in Myanmar. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is marked by religious services, festive meals, and community gatherings. Churches are decorated, and special prayers and hymns are performed to celebrate the occasion. Christmas is a time of joy, giving, and togetherness, where families and friends exchange gifts and enjoy festive meals. While it is primarily a religious holiday, Christmas is also celebrated by people of other faiths, reflecting the spirit of unity and goodwill.