Events and Public Holidays

Public Holiday Calendar for Public Servants, Employee and Workers

January 01: International New Year's Day

January 07: Victory Day over Genocide

February 23: Meak Bochea Day
Buddhist Ceremony held during the full moon of the month of Meak Bochea in commemoration of the spontaneous gathering of the monks to listen to the buddha's preaching.

March 08: International Women's Day

April 14-15-16: Khmer New Year
The New Year Festival spans three days following the end of the harvest season. People clean and decorate their houses with altars of offerings. People play many traditional games at this time of the year.

May 01: International Labour Day

May 12: Visaka Bochea Day
Birthday of Buddha

May 13-14-15: King's Birthday
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI Festivities are held throughout the capital city.

May 16: Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal (Royal Ploughing Ceremony). The Royal Ploughing ceremony starts the planting season. It is performed by a man (King of Meakh) who leads the yoke and plough, and a woman (Queen Me Hour) who sows seeds. The sacred cows are led to silver trays containing rice, corn and other foods. Based on their choice, predictions are made for the coming year.

June 01: International Children's Day

June 18: Her Majesty Samdech Preah Reach Aka Mohesey NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK's Birthday

September 21-22-23: Bonn Pchum Ben
Phchum Ben is a celebration where people bring offerings to the Monks, and spend a day of worship at the pagoda.

September 24: Constitution's Day and Recoronation Day of H.M. Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK

October 23: Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia

October 29: Coronation of King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI

October 31: King's Birthday
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK's Birthday Festivities are held throughout the capital city.

November 05-06-07: Water and Moon Festival
Bonn Om Touk (Water and Moon Festival). A three-day festival not only marks the reversing of the current in the Tonle Sap river but ushers in the fishing season as well. The highlight of this event is the boat race in which more than 200 teams compete over three days for the top prize. As night falls, fireworks light the sky and a lighted flotilla of boats sail under the full moon.

November 09: Independence Day
The date Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953 is marked by a parade of spectacular floats highlighting the nation’s achievements.

December 10: United Nation Human Rights Day
A festival of many traditional dance forms