Buddhist festivals are a key part to life and culture for the Khmers. Additional to the main celebration periods listed below, there are extended monastery periods and moon quarters which see increased buddhist activity. Why not let us plan your photography tour around these festivities.
| Festival | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | Feb 17th | Feb 6th |
| Meak Bouchea | Feb 2nd | Feb 21st |
| Khmer New Year | Apr 14th | Apr 14th |
| Visak Bouhcea | May 1st | May 20th |
| Royal Plowing Day | May 5th | May 24th |
| Angkor Wat Equinox | March / Sep 21-23rd | March / Sep 21-23rd |
| Pchum Ben | Oct 12 | Oct 1st |
| Bon Om Touk - Water festival | Nov 23/4/5th | Nov 12/13/14th |
| Independence day | Nov 9th | Nov 9th |
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Chinese New Year
Chinese new year, although not a public holiday, is celebrated throughout Cambodia due to many families having ancestors from there. Expect dragon dancing outside shop fronts, gatherings at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh and an influx of local tourists to the forever popular tourist town, Siem Reap. The festive period is 15 days. Celebrations are usually confined to the three main day, where traffic increases on major roads and indeed to the main attraction Angkor Wat.
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Meak Bochea
Meka Boucha symbolises the “Heart of Buddhism” when the Buddha announced his impending death. The festival is celebrated throughout Cambodia on the third lunar full moon day. Expect to see candle light gatherings of monks and nuns at certain pagodas, also monks doing alms mid morning, a great opportunity for us photographers.
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Khmer New Year – Sankranta
Khmer New Year, also known as Songkran, is celebrates on three or four days around 14th of April. Many Khmer return to their homeland to spend time with families. In recent years, the authorities have held a main Songkran festival at various locations. This event is often held at Angkor Wat with an abundance of Khmer festivities within the temple grounds. Expect main roads and public transport to be busy during this period.
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Visak Bochea
Visakha Boucha is the main Buddhist festival throughout Asia, celebrating the birth of Buddha. During this period, citizens can become monks or nuns for six days, five nights, learning Buddhist rituals, an honour to their families. Celebrations are held at many pagodas throughout Cambodia. One of the biggest (private) gatherings is at the iconic Angkor Wat temple. If you are lucky you may catch monks and nuns meditation early morning in this iconic temple.
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Royal Plowing Day
Royal Plowing Day marks the start of rainy season. Festivities are often held outside the royal palace, Phnom Penh, amongst other nation wide locations. A series of events will forcast the new seasons harvest.
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Angkor Equinox
Angkor Wat equinox, a unique opportunity to see the sun rise directly over the temple, happens twice a year. The spring equinox is Mardh 21-23rd, the autumn one is September 21-23rd. This celestial phenomenon has gained popularity with the locals over recent years, with large crowd gatherings on the central causeway.
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Pchum Ben
Pchum Ben, a fifteen day Buddhist ceremony, culminating on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month. Pchum Ben being a Pali phrase meaning ‘together rice’ (food). Offerings in the form of rice balls are made to ancestors and the monks, a great time to be in Cambodia with increased activity in the pagodas. Visitors are welcome to join, but please be respectful in pagodas.
Bon On Touk – Water Festival
Bon Om Tuk, Cambodia’s water festival is held annually throughout the country. Bon Om Tuk is celebrated with baot races throughout the provinces, not to ne confused with Khmer new year, where masses celebrate with water fighting. The biggest and best racing can be found in Phnom Penh, which has a reputation for cancellation. Siem Reap offers a smaller version, while other provinces and villages have their own annual events.
Independence Day
Cambodia’s Independence Day marks the country’s Declaration of Independence from France rule in 1953. It is a major national holiday falling on November 9th each year. Ceremonies can be found in Phnom Penh, the capital, at Independence Monument with military parades, and cultural festivities.