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Annual festivals and events

Khmer people appreciate their traditional festivals and events, where they can spend some time with their families and celebrate with music and range of traditional Khmer foods. Festivals are held throughout the country the year around and below is a list of some of the most important national and regional festivals in Cambodia.

Victory Day ( T'ngei Brampee Makara )

7 January
This national holiday commemorates the fall of Pol Pot’s regime on 7 January 1979.

Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year ( Chaul Chhnam Chine )

January-February
The Chinese or Lunar New Year, or Tet as it is called in neighbouring Vietnam, is widely celebrated around the country by Cambodia's Chinese and Vietnamese communities. Although it is not a public holiday in Cambodia, many businesses are closed at this time and many hotels tend to fill up quickly.

Khmer New Year ( Bon Chaul Chhnam / Chaul Chhnam Thmey )

14-16 April
One of the most celebrated festivals in Cambodia, the Khmer New Year (pronounced 'Bon chaul chhnam' or 'Chaul chhnam thmey' in Khmer) is the Cambodian equivalent of songkran in Thailand and phimai in Laos. Marking the end of the harvest season, it generally lasts for three days, during which time Cambodians clean and decorate their houses, make offerings at the local temple and throw water at each other as a form of blessing. City streets are decorated and brightly lit in the evenings and special cultural, entertainment and sporting events are organised especially for the occasion.

Bon Pisak Buchea ( Birth of Buddha )

Mid-May
This nationwide festival commemorates the day of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Held during the sixth full moon of the lunar calendar, it involves chanting, sermons and a candlelit procession to the wat.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony ( Bon Chrat Preah Nongkol )

Late May
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony dates back to the times when the reigning king traced the first furrows in the capital's sacred rice field, thus inaugurating the ploughing season. Today, the ritual is performed at the start of the rainy season in late May each year, with representatives of the king taking the role of King Meakh, who leads the yoke and plough, and Queen Mehour, who sows the seeds. After circling the field three times, the procession stops at a shrine where Brahmins invoke the protection of the gods. Sacred cows are then brought to eat from seven silver trays containing such things as rice, corn, beans, sesame seeds, grass, water and wine, and predictions are made for the coming year based upon what they select. The harvest will be good if they choose the cereals, rain will be abundant if they drink water, but trouble is feared if they eat herbs or drink alcohol.

Start of Buddhist Lent ( Bon Chol Vassa )

Mid July - two days celebration
Held to coincide with the eighth full moon of the lunar calendar, this festival marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist lent, when Buddhist monks fast and meditate. Young men consider this festival auspicious for entering the monkhood.

Constitution and Coronation Day

24 September
This national holiday celebrates the formal adoption of the Constitution of Cambodia in 1993.

Mid Autumn Festival

September-October
Celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese communities throughout the country during the middle of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the Mid Autumn Festival is a time for moon cakes and lanterns.

Bon Pchum Ben

September-October - 15 days
Running for 15 days, this festival is dedicated to the ancestors and blessing the spirits of the dead. Bon Pchum Ben is one of the most culturally significant events in Cambodia. Each household visits its local wat and offers food to the monks for their assistance in blessing the souls of late ancestors, relatives and friends. Pagodas are crowded with people taking their turn to make offerings, with many staying behind to listen to Buddhist sermons.

End of Buddhist Lent ( Bon Kathen )

October-November - one month
Starting immediately after the last day of lent and lasting until the next full moon, this religious festival marks the emergence of monks from retreat. People all over the country form reverent slow processions to their local temple to offer them robes and other items, thereby bringing spiritual merit to all participants.

Paris Peace Agreement

23 October
This national holiday celebrates the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement of 1991.

Independence Day ( Bon Ekareach Chiet )

9 November
Each year 9 November is a national holiday, held to celebrate the Cambodian independence from France in 1953. A gala parade is held in front of the Royal Palace, which includes floats, marching bands and other entertaining festive activities.

Water Festival ( Bon Om Touk )

Mid November - three days
The Tonle Sap River is the only waterway in the world which flows in opposite directions at different times of the year. For most of the year the river flows out from the lake into the Mekong. However, during the rainy season from about June to October the Mekong rises, causing the Tonle Sap River to reverse its direction and the lake to swell to more than twice its regular size. At the end of the rainy season, when the water level of the Mekong drops again, the current reverts and flows back into the Mekong. This unique natural phenomenon is celebrated with three days of boat races, fairs, festivals, shows, parades, fireworks, music and dancing.

Christmas and New Year

24 - 31 December
Christmas celebrations in Cambodia have increased with the number of tourists. Most hotels will put up Christmas decorations and grand gala dinners are served on various places. It is not widely celebrated outside of Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

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