Cambodian Festivals and Holidays: Celebrating Culture, Tradition, and History
Cambodia is a country rich in culture and tradition, where festivals and holidays play an integral role in the lives of its people. Deeply rooted in Khmer culture, these celebrations are more than just annual events they are expressions of religious devotion, historical remembrance, and cultural identity.
From grand festivities like Khmer New Year to more solemn observances like Pchum Ben, Cambodian festivals offer a unique window into the soul of this Southeast Asian nation.
Major Annual Festivals
1. Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)

Khmer New Year is Cambodia’s most significant celebration, marking the end of the harvest season and welcoming a new year based on the traditional Khmer calendar. Usually celebrated in mid-April, the festival lasts for three days, with each day dedicated to different rituals. People clean their homes, visit pagodas, and make offerings to their ancestors.
Traditional games are played, and water is often splashed to symbolize cleansing and new beginnings. In some regions, especially in rural areas, there are local variations where the community comes together for unique dances and processions.
- Dates: Mid-April
- Key Activities: House cleaning, temple visits, offering food to monks, traditional games
Read more about Khmer New Year traditions
2. Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
The Water Festival is one of the grandest festivals in Cambodia, held to celebrate the natural phenomenon of the Tonle Sap River’s flow reversal. The festival marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the fishing season. The centerpiece of the celebration is the spectacular boat races held on the Tonle Sap River, especially in Phnom Penh.
At night, the riverbanks come alive with illuminated boats and fireworks, creating a breathtaking sight. The event is not just a race but a religious observance, symbolizing the victory of the Cambodian navy during the reign of King Jayavarman VII.
- Dates: November
- Key Activities: Boat races, fireworks, illuminated boats
Learn more about the Water Festival’s history and significance
3. Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day)
Pchum Ben, also known as Ancestors’ Day, is a 15-day festival dedicated to honoring deceased relatives. Cambodians believe that during this time, the gates of hell open, allowing the spirits of their ancestors to visit the living. Families gather at pagodas to make food offerings to monks, who then bless them and help pass their offerings to the spirits.
This is one of Cambodia’s most spiritual holidays, with nearly everyone participating in the rituals and visiting pagodas. It is also a time for families to come together and pay respects to their ancestors.
- Dates: September or October
- Key Activities: Offering food to monks, pagoda visits, family reunions
Discover more about Pchum Ben and its significance
4. Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal)
An ancient tradition that marks the beginning of the rice-planting season, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is led by the Cambodian Royal Family. This festival symbolizes the connection between the monarchy and Cambodia’s agrarian society. During the ceremony, sacred oxen plow a symbolic field, and their behavior is used to predict the success of the upcoming harvest.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an important event for Cambodia’s rural communities, where agriculture remains a primary livelihood.
- Dates: May
- Key Activities: Ceremonial plowing, royal family involvement, harvest predictions
Find more details on Cambodia’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Buddhist Holidays
1. Visak Bochea

Celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, Visak Bochea is one of the most important Buddhist holidays in Cambodia. It is marked by temple activities, including offerings of food and candles to monks. Buddhists across the country gather for prayer and to reflect on the teachings of Buddha.
- Dates: April or May
- Key Activities: Temple offerings, candle-lit processions
Learn more about the significance of Visak Bochea
2. Meak Bochea
Meak Bochea is another major Buddhist holiday, commemorating the day Buddha delivered his final sermon. This day is marked by gatherings at temples, where monks deliver teachings and blessings. It’s an important time for both monks and laypeople to reaffirm their commitment to Buddhist principles.
- Dates: February
- Key Activities: Monastic teachings, temple observances
Explore Cambodia’s Buddhist holidays and their traditions
National Holidays

1. Independence Day
Cambodia gained independence from France on November 9, 1953, and this day is celebrated with patriotic pride. Government officials gather for a ceremony at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, followed by parades and fireworks in various cities.
- Dates: November 9
- Key Activities: Parades, government ceremonies, fireworks
Learn about Cambodia’s Independence Day celebrations
2. Constitution Day
Celebrated on September 24, Constitution Day marks the signing of Cambodia’s 1993 constitution, which reestablished the monarchy and laid the foundation for a democratic government. This day is primarily observed with official ceremonies.
- Dates: September 24
- Key Activities: Political observances, official commemorations
Find out more about Cambodia’s modern political holidays
Cultural and Harvest Festivals

1. Bon Dalien (Harvest Festival)
The Harvest Festival is a time of thanksgiving for a bountiful rice crop. It’s a regional celebration, where farmers perform rituals to honor the spirits believed to protect their crops. The event is often accompanied by traditional games and dances that vary by region.
- Dates: Post-harvest season (typically December or January)
- Key Activities: Agricultural rituals, traditional games
2. Angkor Festival
Held near the iconic Angkor Wat, the Angkor Festival celebrates Khmer arts and culture. It features traditional performances such as Apsara dance, music, and theater. International cultural exchanges are a key aspect of the festival, attracting artists from all over the world.
- Dates: December
- Key Activities: Traditional dance performances, cultural exchange programs
Explore more about cultural festivals at Angkor
Modern and International Celebrations
1. International New Year (January 1st)
While not traditionally Cambodian, International New Year has gained popularity in urban areas, particularly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Fireworks, parties, and public celebrations are common, with a blend of local and global customs.
- Dates: January 1
- Key Activities: Fireworks, public celebrations
2. Chinese and Vietnamese New Year
Celebrated by the Chinese and Vietnamese communities in Cambodia, this festival is marked by dragon dances, fireworks, and family gatherings. While not a national holiday, it has a strong influence on Khmer culture, especially in urban areas.
- Dates: January or February (based on the lunar calendar)
- Key Activities: Dragon dances, family feasts
Discover the fusion of Chinese and Khmer traditions in Cambodia
Conclusion
Festivals in Cambodia are a beautiful reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage, blending religious devotion, historical events, and modern influences. Whether you’re visiting for the lively Water Festival or experiencing the spiritual depth of Pchum Ben, Cambodia’s festivals offer a unique and unforgettable glimpse into the soul of this incredible nation.
FAQs
What is the biggest festival in Cambodia?
The Khmer New Year is the biggest and most widely celebrated festival in Cambodia.
How long does the Water Festival last?
The Water Festival typically lasts for three days, with boat races, fireworks, and other festivities.
Is Pchum Ben a public holiday in Cambodia?
Yes, Pchum Ben is a national holiday, and many people visit pagodas and make offerings during this time.
What is the significance of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony?
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony marks the beginning of the rice-planting season and involves rituals predicting the success of the upcoming harvest.