Cambodia Events Calendar 2026
Every festival, public holiday, and cultural event in Cambodia for 2026. Plan your trip around the kingdom's most spectacular celebrations.
What are Cambodia's must-see events in 2026?
The three unmissable events are: Khmer New Year (April 14–16) for nationwide celebrations, Water Festival/Bon Om Touk (November 23–25) for boat races in Phnom Penh, and Pchum Ben (October 10–12) for ancient ancestor ceremonies at pagodas.
- Khmer New Year (April 14–16) — water throwing, temple visits, traditional games
- Water Festival (November 23–25) — spectacular boat races, 2M+ attendees
- Pchum Ben (October 10–12) — honor ancestors at 7 pagodas over 15 days
A note on 2026 dates: fixed civil holidays are exact, but lunar Buddhist festivals and the astrologer-set Royal Ploughing Ceremony shift each year. Dates marked
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International New Year
Celebrated with fireworks along the Phnom Penh riverside and countdown parties at bars and hotels.
Chinese/Vietnamese New Year(ចូលឆ្នាំចិន)
Celebrated by the large Chinese-Cambodian community with dragon dances, firecrackers, and special markets.
Meak Bochea Day(មាឃបូជា)
Buddhist holy day commemorating Buddha's spontaneous teachings. Candlelit processions at pagodas nationwide. Not on the 2026 public holiday list.
Valentine's Day Cambodia
Increasingly popular among young Cambodians. Restaurants and hotels offer special packages.
International Women's Day
A public holiday in Cambodia with special events, concerts, and community gatherings.
Khmer New Year(ចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ)
The biggest celebration of the year. Three days of water throwing, temple visits, traditional games, and family reunions. Cities empty as people return to home provinces.
Angkor Sangkran
Special Khmer New Year celebration at Angkor Wat with traditional performances, games, and cultural shows among the temples.
International Labour Day
Public holiday with worker marches and rallies, particularly in Phnom Penh's garment district.
King's Birthday(ព្រះរាជពិធីបុណ្យចម្រើនព្រះជន្ម)
Public holiday on May 14 with riverfront fireworks, decorated buildings, and ceremonies at the Royal Palace.
Visakha Bochea(វិសាខបូជា)
The most sacred Buddhist holiday celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. Evening candlelit processions. In 2026 it falls on the same day as International Labour Day and is combined with it in the official holiday list.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony(ព្រះរាជពិធីបុណ្យច្រត់ព្រះនង្គ័ល)
An ancient Brahmanist ceremony marking the start of the rice-growing season. Royal oxen predict the year's harvest. The date is set each year by the Royal Astrologer.
Queen Mother's Birthday
Public holiday honoring Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk with official ceremonies.
Pchum Ben(បុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ)
The "Festival of the Dead" — Cambodia's second most important festival. Families visit 7 pagodas over 15 days to honor ancestors with food offerings.
King Father's Commemoration
Mourning day for King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Government buildings display portraits and black bunting.
Paris Peace Accords Anniversary
Anniversary of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords that ended the Cambodian conflict. Not on the 2026 public holiday list.
Coronation Day
Celebrates King Sihamoni's coronation with official ceremonies, illuminations, and fireworks.
Independence Day(ថ្ងៃឯករាជ្យជាតិ)
Cambodia's National Day celebrating independence from France in 1953. Military parades and torch ceremonies at the Independence Monument.
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)(បុណ្យអុំទូក)
The most spectacular festival — 3 days of boat races on the Tonle Sap River celebrating the water reversal. Up to 2 million people attend. Illuminated floats, fireworks, and all-night concerts.
Peace Day
Cambodia Peace Day, the last public holiday on the 2026 official calendar.
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
Run through the temples of Angkor in this annual charity marathon. Routes pass Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. 10K and 21K options.
Christmas
Not a public holiday but celebrated in tourist areas. Hotels and restaurants in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh offer special Christmas dinners.
New Year's Eve
Countdown parties along the Phnom Penh riverside and at Pub Street in Siem Reap. Hotels host gala dinners.
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