25 Oct. 2018 With a total of 27 public holidays compared to just 11 in France, Cambodia is one of the countries with the most public holidays in the world.

During these celebration periods, daily life slows to a gentle pace, particularly for shops and markets. Conversely, traveling to Cambodia during a festival period can be a wonderful opportunity to discover local traditions. This is why knowing a few significant dates can prove invaluable for your stay in Cambodia.

The Monarchy

May 14, 1953

On the occasion of King Norodom Sihamoni's birthday, born on May 14, 1953, a grand fireworks display lights up the banks of the Mekong River, which flows through Phnom Penh. Performances are also organized over the two days of celebration.

June 18, 1936

June 18, 1936 is the birth date of the Queen Mother Monique. This year, Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her 82nd birthday. Most shops are closed during her birthday.

September 24, 1993, Constitution Day

This is the date when constitutional monarchy was restored, and the day is now a public holiday in the kingdom.

October 15, 2012

October 15 commemorates the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk (father of the current king Norodom Sihamoni), who passed away at the age of 89 from natural causes in Beijing. A grand celebration takes place each year at the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh in his memory.

October 29, 2004

In 2004, King Norodom Sihamoni was crowned king following his father, King Norodom Sihanouk. Since this date has been recognized as a public holiday in Cambodia.

Religion

Meak Bochea

The Meak Bochea Day is an important Buddhist celebration, observed in several Southeast Asian countries. January 31st was a public holiday this year, but it can vary between late January and early February. Meak Bochea Day actually corresponds to the first full moon of the third Khmer lunar month. In the morning, monks receive offerings from the faithful, and later in the day, sermons are delivered in temples.

###### Monks gather during Meak Bochea

The Khmer New Year

Sousdey chnam khmer, happy new year! This is the most important celebration in Cambodia. The lunar new year is celebrated over 3 days in mid-April, from the 13th to the 15th, or from the 14th to the 16th depending on the year. During this period, Phnom Penh empties as Khmer people return to the countryside to join their families for the festivities.

###### Traditional dance during the Khmer New Year

Visak Bochea

Visak Bochea Day celebrates Buddha's enlightenment, making it a major holiday for the Buddhist faith. The day is dedicated to purifying body and spirit through fasting, among other practices. This date falls on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month, April 29th this year.

Pchum Ben

This date occurs on the 15th day of the waning moon, October 8th this year. Khmer people once again leave the capital to rejoin their families in the provinces. It is a celebration honoring the damned, those who behaved poorly during their lives. They are freed from the torment of hell for 15 days and can receive, through the monks, food that their loved ones have prepared.

###### Monks patiently await food prepared by families

Cambodia's History

The Fall of Angkar

The Khmer Rouge regime orchestrated by Pol Pot profoundly marked history. It was not until 1979 that they were defeated by the Vietnamese army. January 7th celebrates the day of victory over genocide and the liberation of Phnom Penh.

International Women's Day

March 8th is observed in many countries around the world as International Women's Day, including in Cambodia.

Labour Day

Celebrated in several Western countries since the late 19th century, Labour Day, which takes place on May 1st, is also one of Cambodia's public holidays.

The Paris Peace Accords

October 23, 1991 is a date carved in stone that changed the course of history in Cambodia. On this date, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, restoring sovereignty to the Khmer people under UN supervision.

Independence Day

It was on November 9, 1953 that Cambodia gained its independence. It is customary for merchants to hang a flag to celebrate Independence Day.

###### The monument erected for Independence

International Human Rights Day

Another globally recognized day, December 10th, or International Human Rights Day, is also considered a public holiday in Cambodia.

Daily Life

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony

The Royal Ploughing Day, also known as the Sacred Furrow Festival, is an important event in the daily life of Khmer people as it marks the beginning of the agricultural season with the arrival of the rainy season. This signals the start of the first furrows being traced in the rice paddies.

International Children's Day

June 1st sees no particular events organized. Only schools close for this day.

###### Five school children from the provinces

The Water Festival

Bon Om Teuk takes place over 3 days before the full moon in November. This festival marks the reversal of the current in the Tonlé Sap River. Unlike all the other cultural and religious celebrations throughout the year, this time it is Phnom Penh where the entire country gathers. The program includes boat racing in the afternoon on the Mekong facing the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh. Each boat represents a province of Cambodia. Many provincial residents travel to the capital for this event. In the evening, fireworks light up the sky.

###### Each village sends a team to Phnom Penh to participate in the boat race during the Water Festival

Charlène NomadaysSEO writer from day one at Nomadays, now content manager and head of the communication department, Charlène has accompanied the adventure from its inception with passion and loyalty. After spending seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a sensitive, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.