The “Kingdom of Wonder” never ceases to amaze. There are so many cultural events and festivals, you are bound to soak up the atmosphere of some of them while you travel in the region. Better yet, you can plan your travels to make sure you’re here for them! Here’s a list of official public holidays and major festivals to note:
| Date | Holiday | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| January 01 | International New Year Day | Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian New Year |
| January 07 | Victory over Genocide Day | Marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 |
| February 03 | Meak Bochea Day | Date varies depending on the lunar cycle |
| March 09 | International Women’s Day (observed) | |
| April 14 | Khmer New Year Day | First day of Cambodian New Year |
| April 15 | Khmer New Year Holiday | Second day of Cambodian New Year |
| April 16 | Khmer New Year Holiday | Third day of Cambodian New Year |
| May 01 | International Labour Day | Established to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers |
| May 03 | Visak Bochea Day | Birth of Buddha |
| May 04 | Visak Bochea Holiday | |
| May 07 | Royal Plowing Ceremony | Marks the start of the planting season. |
| May 13 | King’s Birthday | HM King Norodom Sihamoni was born on May 14, 1953 |
| May 14 | King’s Birthday Holiday | |
| May 15 | King’s Birthday Holiday | |
| June 01 | Children’s Day | International and Cambodian Children’s Day |
| June 18 | Kings Mother Birthday | Queen Mother Norodom Monineath was born on June 18, 1936. |
| September 24 | Constitutional Day | Celebrates the signing of the constitution in 1993 |
| September 28 | Ancestors Day | A Buddhist holiday dedicated to honouring deceased relatives |
| September 29 | Ancestors Day Holiday | |
| October 15 | Commemoration Day of King’s Father | HM Norodom Sihanouk died on 15 October 2012 |
| October 23 | Paris Peace Agreements Day | Commemorates the Treaty of Paris on 23 October 1991 |
| October 29 | King’s Coronation Day | Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation was on 29 October 2004 |
| November 09 | Independence Day | Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953. |
| November 24 | Water Festival Ceremony | Boat racing festival to mark the annual change in the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers |
| November 25 | Water Festival Ceremony Holiday | |
| November 26 | Water Festival Ceremony Holiday | |
| December 10 | International Human Rights Day | Marks the UN’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
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