Phnom Penh

Festivals and Annual Events

New Year isn’t an official festival in Phnom Penh, but in the past few years the celebrations for the New Year has been taken to a new level with lots of enthusiasm, fireworks, etc. And even though it’s not a public holiday, most offices and shops close down on the 1st of January in Phnom Penh.

Showing 1–14 of 14 festivals

City guide section

Festivals and events in Phnom Penh

Showing 1–14 of 14 festivals

Plan around 14 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.

New Year

New Year isn’t an official festival in Phnom Penh, but in the past few years the celebrations for the New Year has been taken to a new level with lots of enthusiasm, fireworks, etc.

Victory Day

This day is marked to celebrate the victory of the regime over the fall of Poll Pot’s on January 7th, 1979.

Bonn Chaul Chhnam – Khmer New Year

It is similar to songkran in Thailand and phimai in Laos, marking the climax of the harvesting season in Cambodia.

Bonn Visak Bochea

This is one of the very significant festivals of Cambodia, celebrated by every person in the country. Bonn Visak Bochea signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of the God Buddha.

Bonn Chrat Preah Nongkol - Royal Ploughing Ceremony

This ceremony goes back to the times when the King inaugurated the harvesting season. In this century, the ritual is performed at the inception of rainy season in Cambodia.

Bonn Chol Vassa - Start of Buddhist Lent

It happens in mid-July for two days, coinciding with the eighth full moon of the lunar calendar. It marks the inception of the three special months-in which Buddhists fast and meditate.

Constitution Day

This is a national festival which celebrates the official adoption of the Cambodian constitution in 1933. A holiday is given to all Cambodians to celebrate the auspicious day on September 24th.

Mid Autumn Festival

This is celebrated widely by the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Cambodia in the middle of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Cakes and lanterns are the highlight of this festival.

Bonn Dak Ben and Bonn Pchum Ben - Spirit Offering Festival

This festival is celebrated on a large scale in Cambodia for around 15 days. It is said to be celebrated for the blessing of the dead spirits.

Bonn Kathen - End of Buddhist Lent

This festival marks the end of the lent and starts immediately after it for one month. People progress towards the local temples in large groups to offer gratitude, robes, and respect to the monks as a retreat.

Paris Peace Agreement

This national holiday, 23rd October, marks the signing of the Peace agreement with Paris in 1991.

Water Festival

Water Festival or Bonn Om Tauk is a three days festival that signifies the reversing of currents in the Tonle Sap River and marks the lead in the fishing season.

Independence Day

9th November is the Independence day of Cambodia from France. It is celebrated with marches and cultural activities all over the country. A gala parade is held in front of the Royal Palace.