Myanmar has one of the longest public-holiday calendars in Southeast Asia — around 31 public holiday days in 2026, anchored by the nine-day Thingyan (water festival) New Year period in April. The calendar is dominated by Buddhist full-moon festivals and national commemorations, alongside Chinese New Year, Labour Day, Eid al-Adha, Deepavali and Christmas. Below is the official list with dates, the day of the week, and the type of each holiday.
Holiday calendar 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year's Day | International |
| 2 Jan | Friday | Day after New Year's Day | International |
| 4 Jan | Sunday | Independence Day | National |
| 12 Feb | Thursday | Union Day | National |
| 13 Feb | Friday | Union Day (bridge day) | National |
| 16 Feb | Monday | Chinese New Year (Day 1) | Cultural |
| 17 Feb | Tuesday | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Cultural |
| 2 Mar | Monday | Full Moon Day of Tabaung & Peasants' Day | Religious / National |
| 27 Mar | Friday | Armed Forces Day (Tatmadaw Day) | National |
| 11 Apr | Saturday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 12 Apr | Sunday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 13 Apr | Monday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 14 Apr | Tuesday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 15 Apr | Wednesday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 16 Apr | Thursday | Thingyan Water Festival | Traditional |
| 17 Apr | Friday | Burmese New Year's Day | Traditional |
| 18 Apr | Saturday | Burmese New Year Holiday | Traditional |
| 19 Apr | Sunday | Burmese New Year Holiday | Traditional |
| 30 Apr | Thursday | Full Moon Day of Kason (Buddha's Birthday) | Religious |
| 1 May | Friday | Labour Day | International |
| 28 May | Thursday | Eid al-Adha | Religious |
| 19 Jul | Sunday | Martyrs' Day | National |
| 29 Jul | Wednesday | Full Moon Day of Waso (start of Buddhist Lent) | Religious |
| 25 Oct | Sunday | Full Moon Day of Thadingyut | Religious |
| 26 Oct | Monday | Thadingyut Holiday | Religious |
| 27 Oct | Tuesday | Thadingyut Holiday | Religious |
| 8 Nov | Sunday | Deepavali | Religious |
| 23 Nov | Monday | Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone | Religious |
| 24 Nov | Tuesday | Tazaungmone Holiday | Religious |
| 4 Dec | Friday | National Day | National |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day | Religious |
How Myanmar Holidays Impact Payroll and Leave Management?
Every region, and country, operates differently when it comes to Public Holidays. When we talk about Thingyan (the water festival) in Myanmar, it feels like a grand celebration - people are on leave and enjoying their personal time. All this is bound to bring changes in attendance, increased leave requests, and varied working arrangements which impacts payroll accuracy and leave processes for both employers and employees.
While all of these issues can impact adversely, if enterprises are well-prepared and rely on technology instead of human intervention; it will help in aligning pay cycles, overtime, and statutory requirements without disruption. This not just eases processes for the employer but aids employees while providing clarity on leave entitlements, pay calculations, and timely compensation during a high-expectation period.