Date

Name Of Events

Descriptions

January 1

New Years Day

Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian  New Year

January 7

Victory from Genocide Day

Commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime after their defeat by the Vietnamese in 1979.

Moveable, usually in February

Meak Bochea

Commemorates the spontaneous gathering of monks to listen to the Buddha's preaching

March 8

International Women’s Day

Women right’s Day

April 13-15 or 14-16

Cambodian New Year

Chaul Chnam Thmey in Khmer. Considered to be the most important festival on the calendar.

moveable,  in April or May

Visaka Bochea

Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.

May 1

Labor’s Day

Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.

moveable, in May

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Known in Cambodia as Pithi Chrat Preah Neangkol, this public holiday corresponds to the start of the planting season.

May 13 - June 15

HM the King's Birthday

Commemorates the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni on May 14, 1953.

June 18

HM the Queen Mother's Birthda

Commemorates the birthday of The Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk.

September 24

Constitution Day.

Celebrates the signing of the Cambodian constitution by King Sihanouk.

Moveable, in September or October

Pchum Ben

A Cambodian religious holiday when many Cambodian Buddhists pay their respects to deceased relatives by cooking meals for monks and making offerings to the "ghost" of deceased relatives. It is also known as "Ancestor's Day".

October 29

Coronation Day

Commemorates the coronation of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.

October 31

HM the King Father's Birthday

Commemorates the birthday of King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

November 9

Independence Day

Celebrates Cambodia's independence from France in 1953.

Moveable,in November

Water Festival (Bon Om Thook)

Om Thook) Boat races on the Tonle Sap in Phnom Penh celebrate the time when the water in the river reverses course.