Public Holidays in Cambodia
Cambodia boasts a diverse array of secular and religious holidays each year. While some of these holidays coincide with those celebrated in Western nations, many are distinctively Cambodian. In instances where a public holiday occurs on a Sunday, it is celebrated on the subsequent day.
Anyway, here is a compilation of the public holidays in Cambodia.
January 1: New Year’s Day
On this day, Cambodians engage in lively celebrations, characterized by street dancing and communal drinking. A notable tradition involves participants playfully splashing water on one another as they count down to the new year.
January 7: Victory over Genocide Day
This day serves as a solemn remembrance of the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, marked by memorials honoring those who lost their lives during this tragic period in history.
March 8: International Women’s Day
This occasion is dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments of women and promoting efforts to eliminate violence against them.
April 14-15-16: Khmer New Year
In a nation where agriculture remains a significant aspect of life, this three-day harvest festival is regarded as the most significant public holiday in Cambodia. Many urban residents travel to the Angkor Archaeological Park to participate in Angkor Sankran, a grand celebration featuring traditional games, dance, culinary delights, and exhibitions that showcase Khmer culture.
May 1: International Labor Day
Also referred to as International Worker’s Day or May Day, this occasion is dedicated to honoring the accomplishments and significance of the labor force.
May 4: Visak Bochea
This sacred day in the Buddhist calendar commemorates the birth, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha. Public and private spaces will be meticulously cleaned and adorned with flowers, and many individuals will visit Buddha statues, lighting candles in the evening.
May 8: Royal Plowing Ceremony
This holiday signifies the commencement of the rainy season, accompanied by feasting and prayers for a fruitful harvest. A key event of the day is the ceremony where the king engages in plowing and planting, symbolizing the traditional start of the rice-growing season.
September 24: Constitution Day
After enduring centuries of invasions, occupations, and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, the establishment of a modern constitution is indeed a momentous occasion worthy of celebration.
October 01-02-03: Pchum Ben
Known as Ancestor’s Day, this Buddhist observance is a time to honor and remember beloved departed family members.
October 15: Commemoration Day of King’s Father
This day marks the anniversary of the passing of the current king’s father, who died in 2012.
November 9: Independence Day
Celebrations featuring parades and fireworks are customary to commemorate the anniversary of independence from France in 1953.
November 14-15-16: Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
This three-day festival signifies the seasonal reversal of the Tonle Sap River and also honors a naval victory from the 12th century.