Holidays in Cambodia: A Year of Festivals and Celebrations!
If you’ve ever spent time in Cambodia then you’ll already know that if there’s one thing Cambodia excels at, it’s celebrating! The Kingdom of Wonder has a calendar packed with festivals, public holidays, and religious observances that showcase its cultural heritage and national pride.
Whether you’re planning a trip or you’re already living here, understanding the holidays in Cambodia isn’t just useful for logistics (like when you won’t be able to fight your way through the traffic to the riverside!) but it’s also a great way to experience the heart and soul of the country by joining in with the festivities.
On special events and occasions, you may even get a chance to see Angkor Wat or Bayon Temple lit up at night, like in the photo below! The two most recent events where this has happened were Khmer New Year 2025, and the Gumball rally in 2024 when the participants stopped for a night in Siem Reap.
Here’s a breakdown by month of the most important holidays in Cambodia and what you can expect throughout the year, so you know which dates to prepare for! This guide is not ALL of the Cambodian Public Holidays, and it’s not JUST Cambodian Public Holidays, so if that’s what you’re after, check out our handy infographic that you can save to your phone.
If you’re just looking for the easy to read infographic with the dates of all the holidays in Cambodia that you can save to your phone, scroll to the bottom of this page!
January: International New Year & Victory Day
– January 1st : International New Year
Whilst Cambodian holidays tend to line up more with the Lunar Calendar, Cambodians have slowly adopted the Western New Year, and while it’s not celebrated as enthusiastically as Khmer New Year (Which is INSANE), it’s still a public holiday. You’re still going to see fireworks and lots of parties around the country, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap around the Pub Street area.
Each year, New Years seems to get bigger and bigger in Cambodia, with Siem Reap hosting major events and live concerts, and the town centre being absolutely rammed with both tourists and locals. Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville have no shortage of massive parties for New Years too, so wherever you are, you’ll be able to get your groove on.
– January 7th : Victory over Genocide Day
This day marks the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 and the end of Pol Pot’s brutal dictatorship. It’s a somber but important national holiday, commemorating the lives lost and the resilience of the Cambodian people.
February: Meak Bochea
– February 12th : Meak Bochea (movable date based on lunar calendar)
One of the most important Buddhist holidays in Cambodia, Meak Bochea commemorates the day when 1,250 disciples gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Monks lead candlelit processions around pagodas, and locals make merit by offering food and donations.
It’s a day for attending pagodas and reflecting on the core teachings of Buddhism.
March: International Women’s Day
– March 8th : International Women’s Day
Though not an official public holiday in Cambodia, this day is celebrated with events that highlight the role of women and in particular their achievements within Cambodian society. Schools and NGOs often host special programs or events to commemorate this day, with some bars even running events or promotions for the day!
April: Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)
– April 14-16th : Khmer New Year
Khmer New Year is the biggest and most beloved of all holidays in Cambodia and it marks the end of the harvest season and the start of the traditional Khmer lunar new year.
Khmer New Year is a joyful time filled with family gatherings, religious ceremonies at pagodas, water fights in the streets, traditional games, and offerings to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Expect three days of festivities:
– Day 1: Maha Sangkran – welcoming the new angel (or Tevada) of the year.
– Day 2: Virak Vanabat – a day for charity and honoring ancestors.
– Day 3: Vearak Loeng Sak – water fights, sand pagodas, and traditional games.
In Siem Reap, the streets become chaotic (in a good way!) with water fights, powder throwing, and joyful celebrations.
For a full breakdown of what Khmer New Year entails – CLICK HERE!
May: Royal Ploughing Ceremony & Buddha’s Birthday
– 1st May 2025 : Labour Day
Labour Day is an official public holiday in Cambodia that celebrates workers’ rights and the contributions of laborers. While it’s generally a quiet day for most, labor unions and worker groups sometimes organize marches or events to advocate for better wages and working conditions.
– 11th May 2025 : Visak Bochea (Buddha’s Birthday)
A major religious holiday in Cambodia and another sacred buddhist holiday, Visak Bochea marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Monks will lead ceremonies at pagodas across the country, and Cambodians make offerings to gain merit and show their dedication to the Buddha’s teachings.
– May 14th : King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday
On this day, Cambodia celebrates the reigning monarch King Norodom Sihamoni. You’ll see patriotic displays, flags, and sometimes fireworks in Phnom Penh. It’s a quiet but respectful celebration of royalty. Prior to 2020, this was a three day public holiday but the government has since reduced the duration as part of a national effort to streamline public holidays throughout the year.
– May 15th : Royal Ploughing Ceremony (movable date)
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient ritual marking the start of the rice growing season in Cambodia. Led by members of the royal family or high ranking officials, sacred oxen plough a ceremonial field while priests interpret their food choices as predictions for the year’s agricultural fortunes.
The official ceremony is traditionally held at Veal Preahmein Square, located in front of the National Museum and adjacent to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. However, in recent years the location has varied; for instance, in 2024, it was held in Chbar Mon city, Kampong Speu province.
September: Pchum Ben (Festival of the Dead)
– Pchum Ben : (15 day period, dates vary) Official Celebrations in 2025 on 21-23rd September
One of the most spiritually important holidays in Cambodia, Pchum Ben honors one’s ancestors.
The name Pchum Ben roughly translates to “gathering together to offer food.” The whole idea is to honor and feed the spirits of dead relatives, especially those who have not yet been reincarnated or who might be suffering in the afterlife (sort of like hungry ghosts).
People visit pagodas, offer food to monks, and make merit for the souls of their ancestors.
The final days are public holidays, and participation is widespread across the country. It’s a deeply meaningful and somber time. Whilst the entirety of Pchum Ben is a 15 day period, the official holiday is marked by a three day period.
– September 24th : Constitution Day
Constitution Day marks the signing of Cambodia’s modern constitution in 1993, which re-established the country as a constitutional monarchy following decades of conflict. While it’s a public holiday, formal celebrations are low-key, and most Cambodians use the day to rest or spend time with family.
October: Celebration and Remembrance Holiday
– October 15th : Commemoration of the Late King Father (Norodom Sihanouk)
This is a national day of remembrance for King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who passed away in 2012. Widely revered for his role in Cambodia’s independence and cultural revival, the day is marked with memorial ceremonies – especially in Phnom Penh – while many Cambodians pay their respects with offerings and prayers.
– October 23rd : Paris Peace Agreement Day
Not an official public holiday, but an important historical date that marked a significant step towards ending decades of civil war. The agreements were signed in 1991 and led to the establishment of UNTAC (the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) which aimed to facilitate democratic elections and the drafting of a new national constitution.
– October 29th : King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day
Exactly what it says on the tin – this day commemorates the Coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni, who ascended to the throne in 2004 following his father’s (King Norodom Sihanouk) abdication.
November: Bon Om Touk (Water Festival)
– November 4-6th : Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
Bon Om Touk is one of the most spectacular and widely celebrated holidays in Cambodia, along with Khmer New Year. It marks the unique reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River, and symbolizes gratitude for the annual harvest.
The dates change yearly based on the Lunar Calendar.
In Phnom Penh, massive crowds gather to watch boat races, fireworks, and musical performances. In Siem Reap, the celebration is slightly smaller (though still great fun!) and centres around the Pub Street and riverside areas with boat races, and other fun events and celebrations.
To read more about Bon Om Touk, check out the article we wrote about last year’s water festival by CLICKING HERE!
– November 9th : Independence Day
Independence Day marks Cambodia’s liberation from French colonial rule in 1953. The day is highlighted by a ceremony at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh with parades, speeches, and fireworks. Independence day is one of the official public holidays in Cambodia.
December: International Human Rights Day & Year-End Cheer
– December 10th : Human Rights Day
Mainly observed by NGOs and advocacy groups with awareness campaigns and community events, this day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Up until 2020, this was recognised as one of the official public holidays in Cambodia, but was dropped as part of the streamlining we mentioned earlier.
– December 25th : Christmas
Christmas isn’t one of the official public holidays in Cambodia of course, but it’s becoming more visible in tourist areas like Siem Reap. Throughout Siem Reap and Phnom Penh you can expect to see Christmas light displays, particularly at the larger hotels such as Raffles.
The royal independence gardens in Siem Reap puts on a large display with christmas lights and inflatable decorations. You might also see the procession of tuktuks decorated for Christmas like the one below doing their tour around Siem Reap!
– December 29th : Peace Day
Peace Day commemorates the official end of Cambodia’s civil war in 1998, marked by the surrender of the last Khmer Rouge forces. Recognized as one of the official public holidays in Cambodia, it serves as a day for reflection on the nation’s journey toward peace and reconciliation.
By the end of December, Cambodia is already gearing up for the next round of holiday celebrations and we’re back to square one with the beginning of Western New Years celebrations on the 31st!
Just remember that many holidays in Cambodia follow the lunar calendar, so exact dates can shift from year to year. It’s a good idea to check a current Cambodian holiday calendar when planning your travels or work schedule to make sure you don’t miss out on something fun! The infographic below is accurate for 2025, but 2026’s schedule is likely to be different.
So, whether you’re dodging water fights during Khmer New Year, lighting incense at a pagoda for Visak Bochea, or enjoying the riverboat races during Bon Om Touk, experiencing some of the holidays in Cambodia is a great way to properly immerse yourself in the culture!
And – as promised! – below is the easy to use guide to public Holidays in Cambodia for 2025 that you can save to your phone!
For more great information or recommendations from our Siem Reap travel guide and for tips on Cambodia in general, don’t forget to follow our Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok accounts for regular fun and updates!
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