Phnom Penh Local Events & Latest News
There are a number of festivals, celebrations and Phnom Penh events happening throughout the year, including Khmer New Year, Bon Om Teuk and Bon Pchum Ben. Be sure to check below for the latest events in Phnom Penh.
Place: Cambodia (5 Feb 2012 - 10 Feb 2012)Tuesday, 7 February 2012 An important Buddhist holy day, celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Buddhist Calendar.
(6 Mar 2012 - 10 Mar 2012)
This United Nations-inspired holiday, International day for women has become a big deal. Don’t hope to get anything done.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Place: Phnom Penh, Cambodia (1 Apr 2012 - 17 Apr 2012)
Possibly Cambodia’s most important holiday. The cities empty as Cambodians rush to spend the holiday with family.
Place: Phnom Penh (1 May 2012 - 10 May 2012)
Chat Preah Nengkal, or the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, is an annual agricultural festival held near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. The Royal Ploughing ceremony is held in early May each year and all Government offices, banks etc. close for the day.
(5 May 2012 - 8 May 2012)
Vesak Day 2012, Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha
Saturday, 5 May 2012
(7 May 2012 - 10 May 2012)
Wednesday, 9 May, known in Cambodia as Pithi Chrat Preah Neangkol, this public holiday corresponds to the start of the planting season. Royal astrologers will predict the coming season’s weather.
(13 May 2012 - 15 May 2012)
Commemorates the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni on 14 May 1953. The current king was crowned in 2004 after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk.
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Monday, 14 May 2012
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
(16 Jun 2012 - 19 Jun 2012)
Commemorates the birthday of The Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Cambodians have a deep affection for the queen mother. Even so, this is a minor holiday which does not usually affect travel.
Monday, 18 June 2012
(12 Sep 2012 - 17 Sep 2012)
Festival of the Ancestors. Buddhist tradition demands Cambodians visit many pagodas over two weeks. Food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to the monks to convey to the afterlife so the dead do not haunt the living. This is a particularly poignant celebration given Cambodia’s recent history.
Friday, 14 September 2012
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012 – Pchum Ben Day Holiday (substitute)
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 – Pchum Ben Day Holiday (substitute)
(24 Sep 2012 - 25 Sep 2012)
A public holiday called to celebrate the anniversary signing of the Cambodian new constitution by King Sihanouk on 24 September 1993
Monday, 24 September 2012
(29 Oct 2012 - 30 Oct 2012)
Cambodia Coronation Day is the anniversary of the coronation of current King Norodom Sihamoni.
Monday, 29 October 2012
(31 Oct 2012 - 1 Nov 2012)
Retired king Sihanouk is indisputably Cambodia’s most important modern monarch and still widely regarded as divine.
31 October 2012
Cambodian Water Festival - Bon Om Touk
Place: Phnom Penh Riverside (1 Nov 2012 - 30 Nov 2012)The annual water festival marks the reversal flow of the Tonle Sap River and is spectacularly celebrated in Phnom Penh. Cultural displays including traditional boat races make up a fantastic few days of celebration and fun.
(8 Nov 2012 - 10 Nov 2012)
Marks anniversary of independence from France. King Sihamoni visits Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.
9 November 2012
(8 Dec 2012 - 10 Dec 2012)
A United Nations-inspired holiday. Unlikely to affect travel plans but government offices are closed.10 December 2012
Place: Various locations in Phnom Penh (18 Dec 2012 - 1 Jan 2013)
Christmas is not widely celebrated in Cambodia, but it is the absolute peak season in Phnom Penh and Cambodia, so make sure you reserve your accommodation early as many of the most popular places tend to be booked out early.
Place: Phnom Penh (31 Dec 2012 - 3 Jan 2013)
The celebration of New Year’s Eve has become more and more popular in Cambodia, and although not an official holiday, many offices are closed.
1 January
(5 Jan 2013 - 8 Jan 2013)
7 January ,This national holiday commemorates Vietnamese-backed troops taking the capital from the Khmer Rouge in 1979. It marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime after their defeat to the Vietnamese.
