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CAMBODIA’S BIGGEST FESTIVALS
Cambodian holidays are inextricably intertwined with Theravada Buddhist ritual. The holidays that really count are Buddhist in origin – not even the Khmer Rouge could eradicate the practice of holidays like Pchum Ben. Even the increasing presence of modern Western culture has done little to change the way the Cambodians celebrate the ebb and flow of life. Cambodian holiday celebrations are, and will always be, all about religion, tradition, and occasionally the Khmer’s irrepressible sense of fun.
Table of Contents
FEBRUARY - MEAK BOCHES
Meak Bochea celebrates the spontaneous visit of 1,250 monks to do homage to the Lord Buddha. The Buddha had retreated to Valuwan Vihara in the city of Rajagaha, whereupon 1,250 enlightened monks, the Buddha’s own disciples, converged without prior appointment or agreement.
The monks heard the Buddha lay down the Buddha’s three main principles: Do good, abstain from bad actions, and purify the mind.
Meak Bochea happens on the full moon day of the third lunar month (Magha, corresponding to March on the Gregorian calendar). On this day, Buddhists celebrate Meak Bochea by joining candlelit processions within temples in their vicinity.
The corresponding Gregorian calendar dates for Meak Bochea fall on the following:
2019 – February 19
2020 – February 8
The monks heard the Buddha lay down the Buddha’s three main principles: Do good, abstain from bad actions, and purify the mind.
Meak Bochea happens on the full moon day of the third lunar month (Magha, corresponding to March on the Gregorian calendar). On this day, Buddhists celebrate Meak Bochea by joining candlelit processions within temples in their vicinity.
The corresponding Gregorian calendar dates for Meak Bochea fall on the following:
2019 – February 19
2020 – February 8
APRIL - CHOUL CHNAM THMEY (Cambodia New Year)
It’s the three-day ceremony to end the harvest season. In the week of this festival, people will head home to be with their family and friends. Cambodia major cities will be quite desert with the shops, centers and offices are all closed. However, the Cambodian countryside in this time springs into a festive atmosphere with family gatherings, parties and trips…
grinds to a halt during New Year, drawing families together from all across the country into a celebration that turns wet and wild on the third day.
On the first few days, Cambodians will clean house, prepare food for blessing by the local monks, make merit at the local temple, and (for younger Cambodians) play traditional games with members of the opposite sex.
On the last day, as with similar new year celebrations in Thailand and Laos, young and old alike splash water upon one another to mark the occasion.
Unlike most Cambodian holidays which follow the lunar calendar, Chaul Chnam Thmey follows the Gregorian calendar – celebrated for three days from April 13 to 15.
grinds to a halt during New Year, drawing families together from all across the country into a celebration that turns wet and wild on the third day.
On the first few days, Cambodians will clean house, prepare food for blessing by the local monks, make merit at the local temple, and (for younger Cambodians) play traditional games with members of the opposite sex.
On the last day, as with similar new year celebrations in Thailand and Laos, young and old alike splash water upon one another to mark the occasion.
Unlike most Cambodian holidays which follow the lunar calendar, Chaul Chnam Thmey follows the Gregorian calendar – celebrated for three days from April 13 to 15.
APRIL/MAY - ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY (Pithi Chrat Preah Neanng Korl)
The Royal Plowing Ceremony is a religious ceremony marking the beginning of the rice-planting season in Cambodia. On this day, the King’s representatives plow a field in Phnom Penh with sacred cows, then divine the coming season based on what foodstuffs the cows eat afterward.
The ceremony dates back to the mid-1200s, derived from an ancient Hindu ritual designed to ensure a good harvest. Cambodians believe the ceremony can account for events like floods, bumper crops, famine, and illness.
The plowing ceremony is traditionally held on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month. This corresponds to the following dates in the Gregorian calendar
The ceremony dates back to the mid-1200s, derived from an ancient Hindu ritual designed to ensure a good harvest. Cambodians believe the ceremony can account for events like floods, bumper crops, famine, and illness.
The plowing ceremony is traditionally held on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month. This corresponds to the following dates in the Gregorian calendar
MAY 13-15 KING NORODOM SIHAMONI'S BIRTHDAY
The King celebrates his birthday simply, making offerings to the monks and to the country’s poor, but the government celebrates his birthday with a three-day holiday, over which the streets will practically dance with banners and billboards congratulating the King on this auspicious day.
The day of his birthday and the two days following it are national holidays throughout Cambodia.
The day of his birthday and the two days following it are national holidays throughout Cambodia.
SEPTEMBER - ANCESTORS' DAY (Pchum Ben)
This is one of the most important and spiritual festivals in Cambodia. Lasts for half a month, it’s a common belief that during this time, the trapped spirits of dead ancestors stretching back to seven generations return to earth. During the festival, Cambodians again return to their homeland to visit pagodas – seven are recommended – to pray, receive blessings and give offerings to monks, mainly in the form of food.
SEPTEMBER - ANCESTORS' DAY (Pchum Ben)
The King celebrates his birthday simply, making offerings to the monks and to the country’s poor, but the government celebrates his birthday with a three-day holiday, over which the streets will practically dance with banners and billboards congratulating the King on this auspicious day.
The day of his birthday and the two days following it are national holidays throughout Cambodia.
The day of his birthday and the two days following it are national holidays throughout Cambodia.
NOVEMBER 9 - NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
This day marks the anniversary of Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. The celebrations are centered around the Independence Monument at the center of Phnom Penh, where the King lights a victory fire in the presence of the country’s politicians, generals, and diplomats.
The celebrations also include cultural activities, parades down Norodom Boulevard, and fireworks in the evening
The celebrations also include cultural activities, parades down Norodom Boulevard, and fireworks in the evening
NOVEMBER - WATER FESTIVAL (Bonn Om Touk)
The Cambodian Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) takes place once a year, on the full moon of the Buddhist month of Kadeuk (usually in November). It celebrates a major natural occurrence: The reversing flow between the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River. This natural occurrence is celebrated in Cambodia with three days of festivals, fluvial parades, boat races, fireworks, and general merriment.
People come from far and wide to join the celebrations. Upwards of a million Cambodians attend the celebrations at Phnom Penh to take in the wholesome carnival atmosphere. Food and drink overflow in the streets, Khmer pop bands entertain the crowds, and the riversides are packed to capacity with punters cheering their favorite boats on.
Bon Om Touk is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th month of the Khmer lunar calendar. The authorities have canceled celebrations in the past without warning. If the celebrations push through, they will take place on the following dates in the Gregorian Calendar:
2018 – November 22
2019 – November 11
2020 – November 31
People come from far and wide to join the celebrations. Upwards of a million Cambodians attend the celebrations at Phnom Penh to take in the wholesome carnival atmosphere. Food and drink overflow in the streets, Khmer pop bands entertain the crowds, and the riversides are packed to capacity with punters cheering their favorite boats on.
Bon Om Touk is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th month of the Khmer lunar calendar. The authorities have canceled celebrations in the past without warning. If the celebrations push through, they will take place on the following dates in the Gregorian Calendar:
2018 – November 22
2019 – November 11
2020 – November 31