Events in Cambodia

Cambodian New Year

The Khmer New Year (Enter New Year), is the name of the Cambodian holiday that celebrates the traditional Lunar New Year.  The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year’s Day, which usually falls on April 13 or 14th, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins. Khmers living abroad may choose to celebrate during a weekend rather than just specifically April 13 through 16th. The Khmer New Year with the traditional solar new year in several parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

Pchum Ben

Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day) is a 15-day Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer calendar,  the national holiday fell on 03, 04, 05 October and season begin on 23 September.

Meak Bochea Day

Meak Bochea Day commemorates the final sermon given by Buddha, in which he summarized the “heart of Buddhism” in three principles: ceasing from all evil, doing only what is good, and cleansing the mind. Meak Bochea Day is an intensely religious holiday in Cambodia, but there are still things for non-Buddhist tourists to see and do at this time that they will remember for a lifetime. You will learn about both Meak Bochea Day traditions in particular and Cambodian cultural traditions in general.

Visakh Bochea Day

Visak Bochea Day, also known as Vesākha, Buddha Day, and Buddha’s Birthday is a traditional holiday celebrated throughout the world by Hindus and Buddhists alike. This year, in Cambodia, we will celebrate on Sunday, April 29th. This day celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. During the first meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, in 1950, they decided to formally celebrate Vesākha as Buddha Day

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

The Royal Ploughing ceremony, or Pithi Chrat Preah Neanng Korl in Khmer, and the Festival of Water and full Moon Salutation, know as Pithi Bonn Om Touk and Ak Ambok Sampeah preah Kher in Khmer, are such ceremonies. Predictions gleaned from these traditional ceremonies for the coming year are taken very seriously. The Festival of Water and Full Moon Salutation is celebrated usually in late October. Drippings from burning candles predict rainfall distribution to provinces across the country. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony predicts the weather, epidemics and farming conditions.

Royal Coronation of the King

Cambodia celebrates King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day every 29 October with a public holiday. King Norodom Sihamoni has reigned over Cambodia since 2004, when his father, Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the throne. Every year, Cambodians come out to celebrate the anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation with great fanfare. There are parades, fireworks, entertainment events, and cultural displays. The monarchy in Cambodia is deeply ingrained in the national history and culture, and the people show great love and adoration for the king.

Water and Moon Festival with Boat Racing

For the people of Cambodia, the Water Festival and Bon Om Touk (The Pirogue Racing Festival) in Phnom Penh is the most magnificent traditional festival. For three days Phnom Penh citizens, foreign tourists and peasants from various provinces gather in the capital to celebrate festival night day. The ceremony last three days to provide opportunity for people to by part in competition that there were to types of boats from near and far of provinces, taking part in the races, the pirogue and the rowing boat.