Christmas is not a public holiday in Cambodia, and most Cambodians are Buddhist. Even so, December brings Christmas trees to the malls, lights to hotel lobbies and festive menus to restaurants, and churches in Phnom Penh hold services in several languages. Here is where to find the festive side of Cambodia, and what stays the same.
Christmas is not on the official public holiday list, so government offices, banks and most schools are open. Events at hotels, bars and malls are organised by each venue and change every year, so check details and prices directly with the venue before you go.
What Christmas looks like in Cambodia
For most people in Cambodia, Christmas is a festive season rather than a religious one. Shopping malls put up trees and light displays, young people take photos in front of them, and hotels and restaurants offer Christmas Eve dinners and Christmas Day brunches. Supermarkets stock imported treats for expats and visitors.
Cambodia’s Christian community is small. The Catholic cathedral in Phnom Penh, completed in 1927, was demolished by the Khmer Rouge in 1975, along with churches across the country. Catholic life has since been rebuilt, and in 2025 a new pro-cathedral was completed at St Joseph’s Church in Phnom Penh.
Where to celebrate
Capital
Phnom Penh
The most choice: decorated malls, riverside and rooftop restaurants, and festive dinners at the large hotels. Christmas services are held at churches across the city.
Temples
Siem Reap
Hotel dinners and a lively Pub Street in the evening, with Angkor sunrise the next morning. December is peak season at the temples.
Coast
Kampot and Kep
Quieter riverside and seafood dinners. Above Kampot, the ruined church on Bokor Hill was returned to the Catholic Church on Christmas Eve 2017.
Going to a Christmas service
St Joseph’s Church, Phnom PenhNorth of the city centre near the Tonle Sap River. Mass is mainly in Khmer, with services also offered in Vietnamese, French and English.
Check times in advanceChristmas Eve and Christmas Day schedules change each year. Ask the parish or your hotel for the latest times and language.
Dress respectfullyCover shoulders and knees, as you would at a pagoda.
Arrive earlyChristmas services can be full, and traffic in Phnom Penh is heavy in the evening.
A scenario worth knowing about
You assume Christmas Day is a holiday and leave your flight booking, SIM top-up and money exchange until the last minute, expecting a quiet city. In fact, 25 December is a normal working day: traffic is heavy, offices are open and the popular hotel brunches have been fully booked for weeks. Book festive meals early, and use the working day to get errands done.
Planning a December trip
December is cool and dry, which makes it one of the most popular months to visit. Rooms in Siem Reap, Kampot, Kep and on the islands fill up, especially around Christmas and New Year, so book early. Many visitors combine Christmas in one place with New Year’s Eve in another. See our best time to visit guide and two-week itinerary for ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Cambodia?
No. It is not on the official list, so offices, banks and most schools are open on 25 December.
Do Cambodians celebrate Christmas?
Mostly as a festive season. Christians attend church, while many other people enjoy the decorations, gifts and meals out, especially in cities.
Where can I go to church at Christmas?
In Phnom Penh, St Joseph’s Church holds Mass mainly in Khmer, with services also offered in Vietnamese, French and English. Check the Christmas schedule before you go.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?
Yes. Most restaurants open as usual, and many hotels and restaurants offer special menus. Book popular ones early.
Sources: public holiday status from the National Bank of Cambodia holiday list; church history from Wikipedia’s articles on the Phnom Penh cathedral, St Joseph’s Church and the Church of Mount Bokor. Last checked 30 September 2026.