Through out the year Cambodia enjoys a number of festivals and culture events, often held in conjunction with public holidays.
The major events are the following:
- 1 January: International New Year
- 7 January: Commemoration of the liberation from the Pol Pot regime
- Late January or early February: Chinese New Year (the exact date various from year to year depending on the lunar calendar)
- 13-17 April: Cambodian (Buddhist) New Year
The New Year festival spans three days of celebrations. The Khmer clean and decorate their houses and make offerings at the little spirit house. Also they visit the temples to pray with the monks. Throughout the country young people play the traditional games which are always a lot fun. In Phnom Penh there are performances in the city center and fireworks. People also splash water and powder on each other and even on strangers along the road for wishing good luck (and for having a good laugh as well). It is one the major celebrations in Cambodia. - 1 May: International Labor Day
- 13-15 May: King’s Birthday
- 23 May: The Royal Ploughing Ceremony
1 June: International Children’s Day- 18 June: King’s Mother’s Birthday
- Late September to mid October: Pchum Ben Festival, or “merit making festival for the deceased ancestors” also this festival depend on Lunar calendar It is the most importance event for the Khmer people. Although this is generally a solemn occasion with prayer and reflection, the final day is one of celebration and festivity. Many people will travel to their home provinces and will
make trip to popular tourist places through out the country. (If you want to come to Cambodia during these days, please make your booking well in advance!) - 23 October: Signing of the Paris Peace agreement
- 29 October: King Coronation Day
- 31 October: King’s Father’s Birthday
- 01-03 November: Water Festival and Annual Long Boat races.
- 10 December: Human Right Day