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Cambodia festivals and events 2027: month-by-month calendar

Cambodia's year turns on three big holidays: Khmer New Year in April, Pchum Ben at the end of September and the Water Festival in November. Around them sit royal ceremonies, Buddhist holy days and national commemorations. This calendar gives the dates in the government's 2027 holiday decree and the expected season of the festivals that are not on it.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated Facts checked 3 min read
A long racing boat with dozens of rowers on the river in Phnom Penh during the Water Festival
Boat racing at the Water Festival in Phnom Penh.
Suggested time
Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival each have three public holidays; the other holidays are single days.
Where to stay
Siem Reap for Khmer New Year and Angkor Sankranta, Phnom Penh for the Water Festival and the royal ceremonies.
Season and timing
April (Khmer New Year) and November (Water Festival) are the big festival months.

The short answer

Cambodia's key 2027 dates: Khmer New Year, 14-16 April, with Angkor Sankranta expected in Siem Reap around the same days, Visak Bochea (20 May), the Royal Ploughing Ceremony (24 May), Pchum Ben, 29 September to 1 October, Independence Day (9 November) and the Water Festival, 12-14 November. All the public holiday dates are fixed by the 2027 decree.

How to read this calendar

The holiday dates come from the government's 2027 public holiday decree, published by the Ministry of Interior, and match the 2027 list published by Singapore's embassy in Phnom Penh. They are holidays for civil servants, employees and workers; the decree does not say which shops, sights or transport close, so check the places you plan to visit.

Two festivals are not in the decree, Angkor Sankranta and the Sea Festival. For those we give the season they have been held in and mark it as expected.

January to March: New Year and Victory Day

International New Year's Day, Friday 1 January, is a public holiday.

Victory over Genocide Day, Thursday 7 January, commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime.

International Women's Day, Monday 8 March, is a public holiday.

Crowds on the riverbank watching racing boats during the Water Festival in Phnom Penh
Spectators on the riverbank at the Water Festival.

April: Khmer New Year and Angkor Sankranta

Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) gives three public holidays, Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 April. Government reporting from past years describes large numbers of visitors in Siem Reap over the New Year. If you plan to travel between cities on these days, book early.

Angkor Sankranta, a New Year festival in the Siem Reap and Angkor area, has been held since 2013; in 2025 it ran on 14-16 April. Past editions have included traditional games, dance, martial arts and water activities. Expect it around Khmer New Year in 2027; the programme had not been announced.

Illuminated boats on the river at night during the Water Festival in Phnom Penh
Illuminated boats on the river at night during the Water Festival.

May and June: royal and Buddhist holidays

International Labour Day falls on Saturday 1 May.

King Sihamoni's Birthday, Friday 14 May, is a one-day holiday.

Visak Bochea, the Buddhist holy day, falls on Thursday 20 May.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Monday 24 May, is a royal ceremony for the farming year and a public holiday; its 2027 venue had not been announced.

The Queen Mother's Birthday, Friday 18 June, is a public holiday.

September and October: Constitution Day and Pchum Ben

Constitution Day, Friday 24 September, is a public holiday.

Pchum Ben, a Buddhist religious festival, has three public holidays, Wednesday 29 September to Friday 1 October. The religious observance itself is longer than the holidays.

Commemoration of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Friday 15 October, and Royal Coronation Day, Friday 29 October, are public holidays.

The Chan Chaya Pavilion at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh with its tiered golden roofs
The Chan Chaya Pavilion at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

November and December: Independence Day, the Water Festival and the Sea Festival

Independence Day, Tuesday 9 November, is a public holiday.

The Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) gives three public holidays, Friday 12 to Sunday 14 November. The 2027 programme in Phnom Penh had not been announced when we checked.

The Sea Festival is held in one of the four coastal provinces in turn, with the 2026 edition in December; the 2025 edition was postponed. The 2027 host province and dates had not been announced.

Peace Day, Wednesday 29 December, closes the year.

Practical questions

When is Khmer New Year 2027?

Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 April 2027, three public holidays in the government's decree.

When is the Water Festival 2027 in Cambodia?

Friday 12 to Sunday 14 November 2027. The 2027 programme in Phnom Penh had not been announced in October 2026.

When is Pchum Ben 2027?

The public holidays are Wednesday 29 September to Friday 1 October 2027; the religious observance is longer.

When is Angkor Sankranta 2027?

It is expected around Khmer New Year, 14-16 April, as in 2025. The 2027 programme had not been announced.

Are temples at Angkor closed on public holidays?

The holiday decree does not say so. Check the opening arrangements for the places you plan to visit.

Sources and checks before you travel

Reference sources for the version dated 22 October 2026. Confirm opening times, access, transport and conditions for your travel dates.

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