Official Public Holidays in Cambodia (2024)

Make sure you know all the official public holidays in Cambodia for 2024 so that you can plan your rest and celebrate properly. Check out the official holidays below for all employees and civil servants:

January 1

International New Year’s Day

While Cambodia has a different celebration for the Khmer New Year, the international New Year’s Day every January 1 is also celebrated here.

January 7

Victory Day over Genocide

Every January 7 marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime that occurred on the same day back in 1979. This holiday is commonly known as Victory Day over Genocide or Cambodian Victory Day.

March 8

International Women’s Day

Every March 8, numerous countries around the world including Cambodia, recognizes and celebrates everything that women have done to contribute to society. This includes achievements in these areas: social, culture, economy, and politics. Commonly, the colors used to celebrate this holiday are white, purple, and green.

April 14, 15, 16

Khmer New Year

Closely following the Khmer calendar, the Khmer New Year spans each year for three days. This usually starts every April 13 or 14.

May 1

International Labor Day

Every May 1, there is a global celebration and recognition of all employees’ labor around the world. Generally, it’s celebrated with a parade and other festivities.

May 14

King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday

May 14 has been declared a public national holiday to celebrate the Royal Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

May 22

Visak Bochea Day

The Visak Bochea Day is celebrated yearly to celebrate the three main events in Buddha’s life which are his birth, enlightenment and death (also known as nirvana). The date of celebration varies annually since it depends on the Gregorian calendar but it’s typically held in May.

May 26

Royal Plowing Ceremony

One of the biggest events in Cambodia yearly is the Royal Plowing Ceremony which commemorates the beginning of the planting season. It’s also commonly known as Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal in Khmer.

June 18

Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday

June 18 has been declared a public national holiday to celebrate the Royal Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen Mother of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

September 24

Constitutional Day

Every September 24 is a national public holiday to commemorate the day when the constitution was signed by the late King Norodom Sihanouk in 1993.

October 1, 2, 3

Pchum Ben Festival

Every year, a festival to celebrate and remember your ancestors is held in Cambodia for three days. This is known as Pchum Ben Festival or Ancestors’ Day.

October 15

Day in Honor of the Late King Father

Every year since the late King Norodom Sihanouk passed, the day of his death has been declared as a national public holiday to commemorate him. This day is known fully as the Commemoration Day to the Royal Soul of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, Preahmahaviraksat, King-Father of the Cambodian National Independence, Territorial Integrity and Unity.

October 29

Coronation Day of King Sihamoni

Since the coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni, his coronation day has been celebrated annually. Typically, the celebration consists of a variety of parades, fireworks, and more.

November 9

National Independence Day

November 9 is celebrated in Cambodia as the National Independence Day. This is to commemorate the time that Cambodia became independent from France in 1953.

November 14, 15, 16

Royal Water Festival

Every year when the Mekong river and Tonle Sap river reverses their water flows it is celebrated as a three day festival known as the Royal Water Festival. Water shows, live music and boat races are commonplace during this celebration.