The Cambodian Calendar Year

Date

Event

Description

1 January

New Years

Gregorian New Year

7 January

Victory from the Khmer Rouge

The end of the Pol Pot regime after the Vietnamese forced them out in 1979

2 February

Meaca Bochea Day

14 April to 16 April

Cambodian New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey)

Considered to be one of the most important dates on the calendar, it is marked with festivals such as dancing, food, etc.

1 May

Visaka Bochea

5 May

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

13 May to 15 May

The Birthday of the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni

King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia was born on 14 May 1953

18 June

Queen Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday

24 September

Signing of the constitution by the King

October 1-15

Pchum Ben

Roughly the Cambodian version of All Saint's Day. A time when most Cambodians travel to the provinces to pay their respects to deceased relatives. Locals cook meals for monks, bring offerings to the temple and throw rice near the temple early in the morning, believing that their anscectors will receive it.

23 October

Celebration of the Accord of Paris

The accord of Paris signed in 1991, meant the transition of power from the United Nations back to the country on 1993.

29 October

King Norodom Sihamoni's Coronation Day

31 October

King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday

November

Water festival (Bonn Om Teuk)

Boat races on the Tonle Sap in Phnom Penh celebrate the time when the water in the river reverses course (Bonn Tuk Ngua)

9 November

The Independence from France in 1953 is celebrated