Tazaungdaing / Taunggyi Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026

Taunggyi's Tazaungdaing Festival is one of Myanmar's best-known celebrations and is centered around a spectacular hot-air fire balloon competition. For 2026, organizers have provisionally announced a seven-day edition from November 18 to 24 at the Awaiya Balloon Ground in Taunggyi. The program combines daytime and nighttime competitions involving large handcrafted balloons with traditional activities associated with Tazaungdaing. Organizers said participant registration is still open and that the festival period could be extended if the number of teams increases or conditions require it. An awards ceremony is planned for November 25.

Dates and venue

The 2026 edition is provisionally scheduled for November 18–24 at the Awaiya Balloon Ground in Taunggyi. The dates were established at a Shan State government meeting held on September 15. Organizers have warned that the festival period could be extended depending on the final number of participating balloons and weather conditions.

Balloon competition

The festival features daytime and nighttime hot-air balloon competitions. Traditional categories include balloons in different shapes and designs, while the nighttime displays are known for large illuminated structures and pyrotechnic elements. The final number of participating teams had not yet been determined when the 2026 dates were announced.

Tazaungdaing tradition

Tazaungdaing is a traditional Myanmar celebration associated with the full moon of Tazaungmone and the end of the rainy season. In Taunggyi, the festival combines Buddhist observances, offerings, community activities and balloon competitions that have become one of the most distinctive cultural expressions of Shan State.

Awards and program

An awards ceremony for outstanding balloons is planned for November 25, one day after the provisional festival period. The competition schedule and number of participants may change as registration continues. At present, there is no single official start time for the entire festival, so DaysToEvents keeps the event without a fixed start time.