Khmer Culture & Calendar
Cambodian Public Holidays 2026
every official holiday, what it means, and which dates move each year
In 2026 Cambodia has 15 public holidays covering 22 days off, set by Sub-Decree No. 167. Some keep the same date every year, some follow the moon and one follows the sun. Here is the full list, what each one marks, and the expected 2027 dates of the moving ones.
All 2026 public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Date type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | International New Year's Day | Fixed |
| 7 January | Victory over Genocide Day | Fixed |
| 8 March | International Women's Day | Fixed |
| 14–16 April | Khmer New Year | Solar |
| 1 May | International Labour Day | Fixed |
| 1 May | Visak Bochea | Lunar |
| 5 May | Royal Ploughing Ceremony | Lunar |
| 14 May | King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday | Fixed |
| 18 June | Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday | Fixed |
| 24 September | Constitution Day | Fixed |
| 10–12 October | Pchum Ben | Lunar |
| 15 October | King Father Norodom Sihanouk Commemoration Day | Fixed |
| 29 October | Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni | Fixed |
| 9 November | Independence Day | Fixed |
| 23–25 November | Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) | Lunar |
| 29 December | Peace Day | Fixed |
Source: Sub-Decree No. 167, as published by Andersen Cambodia. Visak Bochea and International Labour Day fall on the same day in 2026.
Three kinds of holiday date
- Fixed date
Same Gregorian date every year, such as Independence Day on 9 November.
- Lunar date
Visak Bochea, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival follow the Khmer lunar calendar, so they move by up to about a month from year to year.
- Solar date
Khmer New Year follows the sun's move into Aries, so it stays on 13–16 April.
The moving holidays in 2027
| Holiday | 2026 (official) | 2027 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Khmer New Year | 14–16 April | 14–16 April |
| Visak Bochea | 1 May | 20 May |
| Royal Ploughing Ceremony | 5 May | 24 May |
| Pchum Ben | 10–12 October | 29 September – 1 October |
| Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) | 23–25 November | 12–14 November |
The 2027 dates are calculated with the traditional Khmer calendar rules (the same ones as our Khmer Calendar). The government confirms each year's list by sub-decree, so treat them as expected until then.
What each holiday marks
History and nation
- Victory over Genocide Day — Marks 7 January 1979, when the Khmer Rouge regime was driven from Phnom Penh.
- Constitution Day — Marks the 1993 Constitution, which restored the constitutional monarchy.
- Independence Day — Independence from France on 9 November 1953.
- Peace Day — Marks the end of the civil war on 29 December 1998; a public holiday since 2024.
Royal days
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony — A royal rite at the start of the rice season, held four days after Visak Bochea.
- King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday — The birthday of the reigning King, born 14 May 1953.
- Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday — The birthday of the Queen Mother, the King's mother.
- King Father Norodom Sihanouk Commemoration Day — King Father Norodom Sihanouk died on 15 October 2012.
- Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni — King Norodom Sihamoni was crowned on 29 October 2004.
Religious and traditional
- Khmer New Year — The traditional New Year, beginning at Moha Songkran in mid-April.
- Visak Bochea — Remembers the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing, on the full moon of Pisak.
- Pchum Ben — Cambodia's festival for the dead, at the end of the month of Phatrabot.
- Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) — Boat races, illuminated floats and the salute to the moon, at the full moon of Kadeuk.
International days
- International New Year's Day — The start of the Gregorian year.
- International Women's Day — Honours women's rights and contributions.
- International Labour Day — Honours workers; in 2026 it falls on the same day as Visak Bochea.
Planning around the holidays
- Government offices, schools and banks close on public holidays.
- Pchum Ben and Khmer New Year are the big travel times: many people go home to their province, buses fill up and Phnom Penh becomes quiet.
- During the Water Festival, boat races on the river draw large crowds to the Phnom Penh riverside.
- Lunar holidays can move by weeks, so check the year before booking. Our Khmer Calendar shows them for any month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Cambodia have in 2026?
Fifteen holidays covering 22 days, because Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival last three days each, and Visak Bochea shares 1 May with Labour Day.
Which Cambodian holidays change date every year?
Visak Bochea, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival, because they follow the lunar calendar. Khmer New Year stays in mid-April.
Is Meak Bochea a public holiday in Cambodia?
Not in 2026: it is not on the official list, although it remains an important Buddhist day. See our guide to Cambodian Buddhist holy days.
Is Chinese New Year a public holiday in Cambodia?
It is not on the official 2026 list.
When will the 2027 holidays be confirmed?
When the government publishes the 2027 sub-decree. Until then, the 2027 dates on this page are calculated from the lunar calendar rules.
What is Peace Day?
Peace Day on 29 December marks the end of Cambodia's civil war on 29 December 1998. It became a national holiday by a sub-decree in 2024.
Read next: Cambodian Buddhist holy days, Khmer New Year and the animal year, or open the Khmer Calendar.
For information. Holiday lists are set by the Royal Government of Cambodia; check the official announcement before planning.
Sources
- 2026 public holidays (Sub-Decree No. 167): Andersen Cambodia.
- Peace Day: Cambojanews, “Win-Win Policy Day re-named Peace Day”.
- Lunar dates for 2027: traditional Khmer calendar rules in the open-source momentkh library.
