Songkran Festival › Thingyan, Myanmar’s water festival
Thingyan 2027: Myanmar’s water festival
Thingyan is Myanmar’s new year, celebrated in mid-April with water, like Songkran next door. It is on UNESCO’s heritage list, and it has also become political since the 2021 coup. Here is when it falls, what each day means, what happened in the last two years and what to know before you go. Checked 24 Oct 2026.
At a glance
Thingyan 2027
Not announced Myanmar’s Calendar Advisory Board sets the dates each year, usually mid-April
Usual pattern
Four water days from about 13 April, then New Year’s Day. In 2026 it began on 13 April
UNESCO
Added to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024
2025
Cancelled after the 28 March 2025 earthquake
Travel
Read the travel advice below before you plan a trip
Where Thingyan is celebrated
Inside Myanmar the big public events are run by the authorities; many Myanmar communities abroad hold their own. Details are from 2026.
Yangon
Yangon
In 2026 the city held “walking Thingyan” water zones by Maha Bandoola Park and City Hall, at People’s Park near Shwedagon Pagoda and on Inya Road in Kamayut (being checked). Pavilions went up downtown, including the mayor’s pavilion in front of City Hall.
2026: The festival officially began on 13 April 2026.
Getting there: Check the travel advice for your route and the current situation before you go.
2027 not announced
Mandalay and Naypyidaw
Mandalay and Naypyidaw
Walking Thingyan zones were also set up in Mandalay and Naypyidaw in 2026 (being checked). The 2025 earthquake was centred near Mandalay and Sagaing.
2026: The UK advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay Region, and against all travel to its northern townships (checked 24 Oct 2026).
Getting there: Read your own government’s advice first.
2027 not announced
Sources: DVB, UK travel advice
Abroad
Thingyan outside Myanmar
Myanmar communities in the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand held Thingyan events in 2026, many on the weekend before 13 April. In Tokyo about 30,000 people went to the festival at Kiba Park (being checked).
2026: Weekend events, 11–12 April in Tokyo.
Getting there: Check local Myanmar community groups in your city for the 2027 date.
2027 dates set locally
Sources: DVB
Next door
Songkran in Thailand
Thailand’s Songkran falls on the same days, with the same water and many of the same customs. The 2027 holidays are already fixed: Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April.
2026: Big water festivals in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.
Getting there: Songkran 2027 dates · Bangkok · Chiang Mai
2027 dates confirmed
Sources: Songkran 2027
The five days
What each day of Thingyan means
Thingyan marks the visit of Thagya Min, the king of the devas (Indra), who comes down to earth for the new year. Water is thrown to wash away the bad luck of the old year; the gentle way is to sprinkle it with a sprig of yellow padauk flowers from a silver bowl (ANU).
UNESCO describes a five-day festival: water poured over Buddha images and over each other, elders honoured with manicures and pedicures, food given away, and flowers and leaves for the seven days of the week arranged in a pot at the front of the house (UNESCO). People also make mont lone yay baw, sticky rice balls with palm sugar inside, sometimes with a chilli as a joke.
The dates for 2027 have not been announced. Sign up below and we will email you when they are.
Day 1
A-kyo nei: the eve, when the rituals begin
2026: 13 April
Day 2
A-kya nei: Thagya Min comes down and the water-throwing starts
2026: 14 April
Day 3
A-kyat nei: the middle day of his stay
2026: 15 April
Day 4
A-tat nei: he goes back up and the water stops
2026: 16 April
Day 5
New Year’s Day: resolutions, monks invited to read the scriptures (being checked)
In 2024, 17 April
Sources: Australian National University, DVB. Dates for each day in 2026 assume the usual 13–16 April pattern (being checked).
Before you go
Travel advice and context
The UK advises against all travel to parts of Myanmar, including north Mandalay Region and the area east of the Yangon–Mandalay Expressway in Bago, and against all but essential travel to Mandalay Region and the rest of Bago. It says the conflict is increasingly volatile (UK travel advice, checked 24 Oct 2026). Check your own government’s advice; it can change at short notice.
Since the 2021 coup, Thingyan has been political. In 2022 opposition groups urged people to boycott the military government’s events (The Irrawaddy), and in 2026 a regime-appointed administrator said civil servants had been ordered to take part (being checked).
Check your insurance
Many policies don’t cover areas your government advises against.
Splash gently
Thingyan water is a blessing. Don’t throw water at monks or elders; a gentle sprinkle is the polite way.
Respect the temples
Shoes off, shoulders and knees covered.
Keep up with the news
Restrictions can be brought in at any time, and events can be cancelled, as they were in 2025.
Thingyan or Songkran?
If Myanmar is off the table this year, Thailand’s Songkran runs on the same days with the same spirit.
Songkran in Thailand
The 2027 holidays are Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 April. Start with Songkran 2027 or what Songkran means.
Thingyan near you
Myanmar communities abroad hold their own Thingyan, often on the weekend before the holiday.
Questions people ask
When is Thingyan 2027?
Not announced yet. Myanmar’s Calendar Advisory Board sets the dates each year; the festival usually starts around 13 April, with New Year’s Day after the four water days.
What does Thingyan mean?
It is Myanmar’s traditional new year. It marks the yearly visit of Thagya Min, the king of the devas, and water is thrown to wash away the bad luck of the old year.
Is Thingyan a UNESCO heritage festival?
Yes. Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan festival was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.
Is Thingyan the same as Songkran?
They are neighbouring new year festivals on the same days, both with water and merit-making. Thingyan is Myanmar’s; Songkran is Thailand’s.
Was Thingyan cancelled in 2025?
Yes. It was cancelled after the earthquake of 28 March 2025, centred near Mandalay and Sagaing. It went ahead in 2026.
Is it safe to visit Myanmar for Thingyan?
Check your government’s travel advice. The UK advises against all or all but essential travel to large parts of the country, including Mandalay Region.
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