International New Year’s Day

• Tuesday, January 1^st

• Public Holiday

• The celebration of New Year’s Eve has become more and more popular in Cambodia, and although not an official holiday, many offices are closed.

  Victory Day over Genocide

• Monday, January 7^th

• Public Holiday

• This holiday commemorates the fall of the Khmer Rouge on January 7, 1979 and remembers those lost in the genocide.

  Chinese New Year

• Sunday to Wednesday, February 10^th  – 12^th

• Not a public holiday

• Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Cambodia but is widely celebrated primarily by Cambodian with Chinese origin. Traditional ‘lion dancers’ can be seen performing at homes and businesses across town for several days around New Years Day. On the night of New Year’s Eve people flock to the pagodas to make offerings.    Wat Phnom is one of the busiest and most popular pagodas, especially New Years Eve midnight.

  Meak Bochea

• Monday, February 25^th

• Public Holiday

• Falling on the day of the full moon of the third lunar month, Meak Bochea Day commemorates a great meeting of Buddha and monks in which there were four significant events and where Buddha gave an oration laying out the principles of his teachings. Meak Bochea is an important Buddhist holiday though it is not as conspicuously celebrated as other holidays such as Visaka Bochea later in the year. The pagodas are quite active and colorful on this day.

  International Women’s Day

• Friday, March 8th

• Public Holiday

• This United Nations-inspired holiday, International day for women has become a big deal

  Cambodian/Khmer New Year | Chaul Chnam Thmey

• Sunday – Tuesday, April 14^th – 16^th

• Wednesday, April 17^th – substitute

• Public Holidays

• Possibly Cambodia’s most important holiday along with Pchum Ben and the Water Festival. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, children and teens play Khmer traditional games in the streets. The cities empty as Cambodians rush to spend the holiday with family in provinces. The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year’s Day. New Years Eve beautiful offerings of food, drink and incense are set on palm-frawned tables in front of homes and the New Year enters at an hour designated by the lunar calendar, not necessarily at midnight. Gifts and tips are especially auspicious during April and should be accompanied with the phrase ‘Sok Sabay, Ch’nam Tmey’ (Happy New Year!). The New Year is traditionally accompanied by the practice of tossing water and powder on friends and passers-by, the area around Wat Phnom is good natured water throwing on New Year.

  International Labour Day

•  Wednesday, May 1^st

• Public Holiday - minor event

  The Birthday of King Norodom Sihanmoni

• Monday – Wednesday, May 13th – 15th

• Public Holidays

• Commemorates the birthday of His Majesty Preah Bat Damdech Preah Boromoneath Norodom Sihamoni on 14 May 1953. The current king was crowned in 2004 after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk who passed way last year.

  Visaka Bochea Day

• Friday, May 24th

• Public Holiday

• A colorful, busy day at the pagodas. Often referred to as ‘Buddha's birthday, Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. The faithful attend pagoda, make offerings and engage in kind and charitable acts and reverent behavior.

  Royal Ploughing Ceremony

• Tuesday, May 28^th

• Public Holiday

• Known in Cambodia as Chrat Preah Nongkoal, the Royal Ploughing ceremony marks the beginning of the rainy season and the planting season. In a ceremony led by the King or other high official, highly adorned sacred cows plough a sacred furrow and then are led to trays containing rice, corn, beans and other foods. Agricultural predictions are made based on the quantity and order in which the cows eat the food. Ceremonies are usually held next to the Royal Palace, in front of the National Museum.

  International/Cambodian Children’s Day

• Saturday, June 1^st

• Public Holiday

• International and Cambodian Children’s Day celebrated to raise awareness of children abuse, children trafficking and children labour.

  King's Mother Birthday - Her Majesty Norodom Monineath Sihanouk

• Tuesday, June 18^th

• Public Holiday

• Commemorates the birthday of Samdech Preah Reach Aka Mohesey (Queen Mother) Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Cambodians have a deep affection for the queen mother. Even so, this is a minor holiday which does not usually affect travel.

  Constitution Day

• Tuesday, September 24^th

• Public Holiday

• An event to celebrate the anniversary signing of the Cambodian new constitution by King Norodom Sihanouk on 24 September 1993

  Pchum Ben Day

• Thursday – Saturday, October 3^rd – 5^th

• Public Holidays

• Festival of the Ancestors, Pchum Ben generates an air of spiritual reverence and holiday expectation throughout the country. Buddhist tradition demands Cambodians visit many pagodas over two weeks. Food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to the monks to convey to the afterlife so the dead do not haunt the living. This is a colorful, photogenic time at the pagodas. All government offices and many businesses close for the holiday.

  Commemoration Day of King Father, Norodom Sihanouk

• Tuesday, October 15^th

• Public Holiday

  Paris Peace Agreement

• Wednesday, October 23^rd

• Public Holiday

  Coronation Day - King Norodom Sihamoni

• Tuesday, October 29^th

• Public Holiday

• Coronation Day is the anniversary of the coronation of current King Norodom Sihamoni. The Palace is lighted at night and always looking its best at this holiday.

  Independence Day

• Saturday, November 9^th

• Public Holiday

• Colorful ceremonies marks anniversary of independence from France held at the Independence Monument in the morning and fireworks on the riverfront in the evening. King Sihamoni visits Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.

  Water Festival/Bon Om Touk

• Saturday – Monday, November 16^th – 18^th

• Public Holiday

• Millions flock to Phnom Penh from the provinces to celebrate the end of monsoon season, reversing of the current in the Tonle Sap River and marks the beginning of the fishing season. Traditional long-boat races are held for three days in front of Royal Palace with the king overseeing. Fireworks and a water-borne parade of lighted barges cap events in the early evening. People and vendors pack the riverfront parks to watch the races and the whole area takes on a carnival atmosphere.

  Human Rights Day

• Tuesday, December 10^th

• Public Holiday

• A United Nations-inspired holiday. Unlikely to affect travel plans but government offices are closed.