Best of Phnom Penh
Best of Phnom Penh
Best of Phnom Penh

Celebrate the Khmer New Year 2025 in Phnom Penh

Wat Phnom when Khmer New Year festivity
Wat Phnom Temple with decorations for the Khmer New Year festivity

From April 12 to 16, the Khmer New Year is the most cherished celebration in the Khmer calendar. Phnom Penh is dressed in its finest decorations for 5 days of festivities. I tell you all about the program for a spectacular celebration filled with traditions and community spirit.

Golden dragon made with bamboo at Wat Phnom
The "Choul Chnam Thmey" is the Khmer New Year. It is one of the country's most important festivals, marking the end of the harvest season and heralding the arrival of the new year according to the Cambodian lunar calendar.

The Khmer New Year is a three days festival during which Cambodians pay homage to their ancestors and deities. It's an opportunity to spend time with family, make gifts to the monks and take part in rituals to attract good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

This year, Phnom Penh will come alive during this festive period, with a variety of events and activities planned at Wat Phnom and the Riverside Walk Street.
Sand stupa at Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom

The Wat Phnom site will host three days of Khmer New Year celebrations, from April 14 to 16 from 8am to 8pm, with several Khmer traditions.

  • Day 1: The festivities begin with prayers to welcome the New Year goddess, followed by a procession of sacred Buddha statues, the construction of sand stupas and a traditional Buddha bath ceremony, a symbol of purification and blessing.

  • Day 2: The day is enlivened by a traditional dance performance and folk games such as Chol Chhoung (scarf throwing), Leak Kansèng (hiding a scarf) and tug-of-war.

  • Day 3: The festivities continue with traditional dances, an exhibition of Khmer cultural objects including Apsara crowns, and a presentation of Khmer culinary specialties.
Giant Apsara Crown

Riverside Walk Street

Riverside Walk Street will be transformed into a hub of cultural activity for five days, from April 12 to 16.From the Royal Palace to the historic site of Wat Phnom, along the Preah Sisowath quay, this event will feature a rich program of traditional games and performances.

On the program:
  • Leak Kansèng (hidden scarf)
  • tug-of-war
  • Lakhon Sbek (shadow theater)
  • Lakhon Khol (masked theater)
  • Lakhon Yiké (Yiké theater)
  • performances by Chapei Dang Vèng (Cambodian two-string long-neck guitar)
  • as well as dances and a traditional Khmer costume parade
Join Us in the Festivities of Khmer New Year 2025!
Phnom Penh road celebring the Khmer New Year
Phnom Penh road celebring the Khmer New Year
Ark wishing a Happy Khmer New Year
Wat Phnom Entry during Khmer New Year