Explore Cambodia as a family for an enriching experience, especially during Khmer New Year. The Khmer people are known for being warm and friendly, and you and your children will be made to feel welcome as you travel around this fascinating nation.
The little ones will love discovering Cambodia’s ancient temples and floating villages, surely unlike anything they’ve seen before. If you’re planning to visit Cambodia in April, consider timing your trip to coincide with Khmer New Year for a truly unforgettable experience.
This vibrant three-day festival is one of the most important events of the year in Cambodia and offers the chance to learn about Cambodian culture and traditions.
Read on to find out when the festival takes place, how it is celebrated and the best place for your Khmer New Year family vacation.
Festival Dates in the Khmer Calendar
Khmer New Year is based on a lunisolar calendar, falling in April each year. It can be a good opportunity to explain the existence of different calendars to children who may find having new year in April confusing.
The festival comes after the gathering of the harvest when agricultural workers can relax and spend time with their own families.
In 2024, Khmer New Year runs Wednesday through Friday, April 14-16. It’s time to start planning your trip!
3 Days Of Khmer New Year Celebrations
The Khmer New Year celebrations are rooted in Buddhist tradition. Each day of the three-day festivity has special importance and is celebrated differently. Cambodian children play a significant role and are involved from start to finish.
Day 1: The first day, called Maha Songkran, is the day of creating. To honor the angels who are believed to have created the earth, people light candles and burn incense.
Locals join in collective prayers and offer food and other donations to the monks.
Day 2: The second day of the Khmer festival is all about charity. Encourage your children to think about those less fortunate than themselves and how they can make a difference.
Children, the elderly, and teachers traditionally receive presents on this day, there are many markets throughout Cambodia to pick up some souvenirs if you want to participate in gift-giving.
Day 3: The third and final day of Khmer New Year celebrations is dedicated to washing away sins. Perfumed water is used to wash images of the Buddha and children cleanse their parents and grandparents in return for valuable life advice. Watch out! Water gun “battles” are not uncommon in the larger cities and you may get wet while enjoying the fun.
Child-friendly food at Khmer New Year
Food plays an important role in the Khmer New Year celebrations. There are plenty of traditional Cambodian dishes that the kids will enjoy including:
- Cambodian chicken soup
- Crispy spring rolls
- Lort Cha: fried egg noodles
- Ansom Chek: sticky rice cake with slices of banana wrapped in banana leaves
- Sticky rice and mango dessert
- Kralan: a cake made with sticky rice, beans, and coconut milk
How do you say “Happy New Year” in Khmer?
Khmer New Year is a joyous occasion filled with positivity and respect. To wish people “Happy New Year” in Cambodia, say sursedey chnam thmey. Children enjoy learning phrases in different languages; challenge them to remember this greeting!
Another key phrase to remember is Thank You. Say Ar koun with palms pressed together and a slight bow and the Cambodians you meet will be so appreciative.
Where To Spend the Cambodian New Year With Kids
Khmer New Year is celebrated throughout Cambodia so wherever you choose you can get involved with the festivities.
One of the best places to experience Khmer New Year with family is at Angkor Wat, the ancient temple complex. It is located outside the popular tourist town of Siem Reap in central Cambodia. Children will enjoy playing traditional games with local kids at the site. Chol Chhoung is popular amongst teens and Chab Kon Kleng is a fun game of tag. Elsewhere in Siem Reap province, you’ll be welcomed to take part in street parties with plenty of music and dancing.
Experience Khmer New Year in another great place, Phnom Penh. It’s a chance to see the city, the capital and one of Cambodia’s top destinations, at its quietest. As locals head to their hometowns the usually crowded streets become much more peaceful.
Enjoy the vibrant final day’s procession with the whole family. This festive parade which involves elephants and horses winds through the capital.
Tips For Visiting Cambodia For Khmer New Year
Keep in mind a few things if you’re visiting Cambodia for the spring New Year.
Firstly, remember that Khmer New Year is a public holiday in Cambodia. Most shops will remain closed so make sure you stock up on essentials. Banks will also be shut so take out enough cash for the three days.
Consider booking accommodation close to Angkor Wat in advance. As the most popular place to celebrate the festival, hotels can get busy.
Khmer New Year is in April, the month when it starts to get warm in Cambodia. Temperatures can rise above 90ºF and it’s also fairly humid. Pack long-sleeved clothes to offer protection from the sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water bottle — they’re essential for the entire family as you’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors.
Dorothy Jones, an experienced content writer, wrote about the Khmer New Year celebration for sponsor CambodiaOnlineVisa.com. She is associated, as a guest author, with many renowned travel blogs where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
This enthusiastic blog provides a huge list of 51 varied and exciting summer vacation ideas for families, offering options from theme parks to national parks both near and far.
Absolutely love the insights you’ve shared in this blog!
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
wow
Great read! I really appreciated the insights you shared—especially the way you broke things down in a clear and relatable way. Looking forward to more content like this. Keep up the great work!
Traveling to Aruba promises an unforgettable escape. From white-sand beaches to clear turquoise waters, this Caribbean gem invites you to create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sense of adventure!
Thanks very nice blog!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up plus the rest of the site is very good.
This article was very informative thank you!
For the people that are planning to go to Aruba, I would also suggest this website: https://canitravel.net/countries/aruba . I used it last month when I went to Aruba and it always had up-to-date travel restrictions. I hope this helps 🙂
Nice post!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I will definitely comeback.
This is such helpful information! Traveling with minors can get complicated, and having all the required documents ready makes the process so much smoother. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
Great blog! I really enjoyed reading it. The way you explained everything in such simple and clear words made it easy to follow. Sometimes blogs can get too technical or confusing, but this one was straight to the point and very helpful.
I got good info from your blog
Keep working ,great job!
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I had the chance to experience Denmark during the Christmas season, and it’s something I’ll always hold close to my heart. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen felt like stepping into a storybook. The way the entire park was dressed in soft, glowing lights, handmade decorations, and the comforting scent of mulled wine in the air made every moment feel special.
There’s a unique warmth about this place that isn’t just from the cocoa or winter drinks, but from the people, the laughter, and the little traditions scattered around every corner. Watching families gather, children’s faces light up at the sight of the reindeer, and the simple joy of wandering through beautifully decorated stalls reminded me how lovely the holiday season can be.
It’s not just about the decorations or the rides — it’s the feeling of togetherness, the calm, and the way time seems to slow down so you can really take in the small, meaningful moments. I left with a heart full of good memories and a deep appreciation for the charm and kindness of Danish traditions.
If you ever get the chance to visit, I promise it’s a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left.
The article is full of information , thanks for such a good knowledge.
This article is incredibly informative and well-structured. It offers clear, practical guidance on a topic many travelers often overlook—traveling with minors. The detailed breakdown of required documents and the emphasis on consent letters provide much-needed clarity for parents and guardians planning a trip. A must-read for anyone traveling with children!
Great article! I completely agree with your points.
Keep up the good work
Excellent post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Thanks!
Hi, yes this post is genuinely nice and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
Excellent post! I found your analysis both engaging and informative. Well done.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to search out anyone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Thank you for such praise, I am glad I could present the material in a way that made you want to see and experience St. Augustine’s Black history for yourself.
Of course, this beach town has lots more to offer but if you are willing to walk the lanes and dig a little bit, the history of the first Blacks and how much they contributed to protecting the colony is fascinating.
Hope you get there and enjoy your trip.
Your trip sounds absolutely incredible! Lisbon is truly a magical city, and your experience during the EuroCup must have made it even more special. If anyone reading this is planning a trip to Lisbon, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour to explore the city’s rich history, charming streets, and hidden gems with a local guide. You can check out this great option: https://www.guruwalk.com/lisbon. It’s a fantastic way to get an insider’s perspective on the city!
It’s iin reality a great and helpful piece oof info.
I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing
Great content for cruise lovers !! One of the most advantage of cruising is you do not have to pick your luggages every day , and every day you discover a new country. Although one day is not enough to see everything it gives an idea about a country ! With my experience since 2007, 99,9% of my guest said that Kusadasi/Turkey is their favorite port among all the other ports. Because we have a lot of options for every traveler. The most popular places , if your ship is docking at Kusadasi, is Ephesus ancient city which is only 25 min. drive away. Ephesus was the 4th largest ancient city of the world in 2 c AD.Most of the ruins are reconstructed and gives an idea about Roman’ glorious times. If you ever visit Ephesus, I suggest you to see Terrace Houses , where the rich were living and houses are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes from 3rd c AD.If you want to add a spiritual break , thats House of Virgin Mary is there. It is believed that she was taken by St. John the apostle to there.Another place you must see Ephesus Museum.. Forget all that boring museums you have seen . While guiding , I explain the most interesting artifacts , including original staue of Artemis. BTW. did you know that one of seven wonders of ancient world was located there? Well… not so much left , but it is still worth to be seen. If you ever visit Kusadasi,and want to have private tour, please feel free to contact with me ! I am very happy to answer your questions and customize your trip to Ephesus. Please visit my website,not only for Ephesus trip but also to get an idea about my beloved country Turkey/Turkiye. You can see different types of tours that I organize. Archaeological , culinary or lets customize your tour to Turkey together!! luxurytoursofturkey.com/