Tip: For up to date information about this month's festivals and events check out our listings page in the Tangent travel magazine.

For more information on festivals and holidays in specific areas click the links below:

Siem Reap   Phnom Penh

International New Year's Day January 1^st

Tet Festival January or FebuaryThis is the New Year of both the Chinese and Vietnamese lunar calendar.

Women's Day March 8^th

Cambodian New Year April 14-16 is celebrated for 3 days after the end of the harvest to mark the turn of the year according to the Khmer lunar calendar. Every home is decorated, shrines are filled with food and beverages given as offerings to God. People attend Buddhist temples where traditional games are also performed.

Visa Bochea Day May 29^th (Birthday of Buddha)

Royal Ploughing Ceremony May 25^th This is celebrated to alert the nation of the commencement of the rainy season and to ready farmers for the ploughing period. A field at the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh is a good spot to watch or join in on the festivities. Ploughing activities are held and cows are given a variety of crops to eat. Based on the choices of crops eaten by the cows, predictions are made for the coming year’s harvest.

Children's Day June 1^st
Her Majesty the Queen Preah Akeak Mohesy Norodom Monineath

Sihanouk's birthday. June 18^th

Spirit Commemoration Day September 23^rd to the 25^th

Pchun Ben Day (Soul Day) October is a religious festival blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends alike who have passed away.
Household members attend Buddhist temples.

Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk October 30^th to November 1^st. A giant firework display is held close to the riverbanks in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

Water Festival October or November Marks the reversing flow of Tonle Sap River and also ushers in the fishing season. The highlight of the event, are the boat races that are held over three days. When night falls, fireworks light the sky and a lighted flotilla of boats sail aloft for good luck. Some say the celebration is also a thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land. People from all walks of life gather on the bank of the Mekong River for several days and nights.

Independence Day November 1^st

International Half marathon December Held at the world renowned Angkor Wat this event attracts competitors from around the world. With thousands of spectators and the wonder of Angkor Wat, it is a spectacular setting for this popular event.

Christmas Day December 25^th

Note: For more information on Cambodia, check out our guide pages for each area