Festivals in Cambodia

There are many interesting traditional religious and cultural ceremonies and festivals throughout the year. They provide a great opportunity to participate in a centuries old tradition of Khmer society. Some of the major festivals and ceremonies are listed below.

You can find a complete list of Cambodian public holidays including the dates for 2007 on our Festivals links page (linking to photo albums of the celebrations).

Although not an official public holiday, the Chinese New Year is widely celebrated, especially in Phnom Penh.

Be prepared that almost all shops will be closed as the great majority of them are run by Chinese.

No Chinese festival would be complete without fireworks and this time of year is no exception with many wealthy families organizing their own private displays whigh light up the skies for all to see.

Cambodian New Year goes on for three consecutive days. The date changes, ranging from the 12th to the 16th of April, according to the Lunar Calendar. The Cambodian people prepare new costumes, decorate their houses and put up the National flag for the festivities. They offer food and desserts to their ancestral spirits through Buddhist prayers and play popular traditional games. Generally the games are played in the grounds of a monastery; foreigners are also welcomed to join these fun games.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is performed by King Meakh, who leads the yoke and plough, followed by a woman, Queen Me Hour, who sows seeds.

After thrice circling the rice field, the procession stops at a chapel where Brahmins invoke the protection of the Gods. The sacred cows are unharnessed and guided to seven silver trays containing rice, corn, bean, and other edibles. Based on their choice, predictions are made for the coming year.
See a photo gallery of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

Around Phnom Penh

MEKONG ISLAND
(Koh Dach)

Traditional silk weaving villages on a Mekong River island, called Koh Dach. A half-day boat trip from the capital.

SUNSET CRUISE ON THE MEKONG AND TONLE SAP

A one-hour cruise from the capital takes you along the river to watch the daily life of the people living on and around the rivers. You'll enjoy a magnificent sunset, when the reflected rays of the setting sun cast a golden glow across the river.

OUDONG

Located about 40 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, Oudong served as the country's capital under several monarchs from the 17th-19th centuries. Royal ruins stand upon a hillock offering panoramic views of the countryside. Oudong is an easy day trip from Phnom Penh.

TONLE BATY

38 kilometers southeast of Phnom Penh, Tonle Bati hosts two noteworthy 12th-century temples. Ta Prohm, built by Jayavarman VII, is consecrated both to Buddha and to Brahma, and is interesting for its refined bas reliefs. Yeay Peou also features intricate bas reliefs.

HNOM TAMAO

This 1200-hectare animal sanctuary is located about 30 km southeast of Phnom Penh. In recent years, it has been upgraded, and the sun bear enclosure is now one of the best of its type in Asia. There are also other rare species housed here, including tigers, leopards, a lion, and several species of exotic birds. The geography of the sanctuary is quite interesting in itself.

KIRIROM NATIONAL PARK

The area was named Kirirom namely "Mountain of joy" by the King. A hill of 700m covers an area of 35,000 hectares. It is situated 120 km to the west of Phnom Penh. The natural resort is decorated with many categories of pines imported from Japan. As this park is easy to reach from the capital, it is popular with Phnom Penh residents.

• More on Kirirom

Bonn Pchum Ben

Spirits Commemoration Festival is held for the spirits of the dead. Bonn Dak Ben is the offering of food to the monks at least for 15 days.On the 15th day of the ceremony which is the full moon, called Bonn Phchum Ben, the collection of the bens (offerings) is taken, this year on October 3rd.
See a photo gallery of Pchum Ben.

During this celebration, if departed souls do not find their family making offerings at a wat, it is believed that the soul is cursed and will bother the descendent throughout the year.

The 9th of November 1953 is the date Cambodia achieved independence from France. The occasion is marked each year by a gala parade in front of the Royal Palace, which includes floats, marching bands and other spectacles highlighting the nation's achievements.

Water Festival

Over this period a combination of three ceremonies takes place: the Boat Race, the Moon Festival and Bonn Ork Om Bok (eat the flat rice). The biggest event is the boat race where thousands of people come from all over the country to participate and watch.

The event takes place on the Tonle Sap River when the current changes direction. The river begins to flow out of Tonle Sap Great Lake after the lake has assimilated a billion of cubic meters flood waters during the Rainy Season.

During this 3-days festival, there are impressive fireworks and Pratip (floating-light-art) displays at the end of each racing day.

See a photo gallery of the Water Festival in 2003.

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