Alongside its own Buddhist and royal calendar, Cambodia marks a handful of international holidays. Some, like International New Year’s Day and Women’s Day, are official days off. Others, like Christmas and Chinese New Year, are not on the official list but still change how the country looks and feels. Here is what to expect, and where to be.
Only days on the government’s official list close banks and public offices. The 2026 list is published by the National Bank of Cambodia, and the list for each new year is usually announced a few months before it starts. For Khmer festivals and holy days, see our Khmer lunar calendar.
International holidays at a glance
| Holiday | Date | Official day off? | What you will notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| International New Year | 1 January | Yes | Countdown parties on 31 December, then a public holiday. |
| Chinese (Lunar) New Year | 6 February 2027 | No | Red decorations, lion dances and busy markets. Many family businesses close for a few days. |
| Valentine’s Day | 14 February | No | Roses and chocolates on sale, and busy restaurants. |
| International Women’s Day | 8 March | Yes | A public holiday, with events run by organisations and workplaces. |
| International Labour Day | 1 May | Yes | A public holiday. In 2026 it fell on the same day as Visak Bochea. |
| International Children’s Day | 1 June | No | School and community events. It was removed from the public holiday list from 2020. |
| Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival | September or October | No | Mooncakes in bakeries and supermarkets, and family gatherings in Sino-Khmer homes. |
| Halloween | 31 October | No | Costume nights at some bars, international schools and malls. |
| Christmas | 25 December | No | Decorated malls, hotel dinners and church services. A normal working day. |
Women’s Day and Labour Day are on the 2026 official list. Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn follow the Chinese lunar calendar, so their dates move each year.
The big three for visitors
25 December
Christmas
Not a day off, but malls and hotels go all out. Church services are held in several languages in Phnom Penh.
31 December and 1 January
New Year’s Eve
Countdowns on the Phnom Penh riverside and Siem Reap’s Pub Street, followed by a public holiday.
Late January or February
Chinese New Year
The most widely felt of the imported holidays, thanks to Cambodia’s large Sino-Khmer community.
Where to be
Phnom PenhThe most events of any city: decorated malls, hotel dinners, riverside countdowns and the liveliest Chinese New Year markets.
Siem ReapPub Street is the focus for Christmas and New Year nights, and the temples are right on the doorstep for the morning after.
Kampot and KepQuieter riverside and seaside celebrations, good if you want a relaxed holiday dinner rather than a crowd.
Koh RongBeach bars and parties around New Year. Book boats and rooms early.
A scenario worth knowing about
You land on 31 December and plan to sort out a visa extension and a bank transfer on 1 January. Both are closed, because International New Year’s Day is a public holiday. In January there is another public holiday on 7 January, so leave paperwork for other days, or deal with it before the holidays start. Christmas works the other way: offices and banks are usually open on 25 December.
Planning tips
December and January are peak season, with dry weather and cooler evenings. Book rooms in Siem Reap, Kampot and on the islands early, and expect hotel holiday dinners and events to sell out. See our guides to the best time to visit, where to stay and Cambodian festivals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Cambodia?
No. Christmas is not on the official public holiday list, so offices, banks and most schools work as normal. Many malls, hotels and restaurants still celebrate.
Is Chinese New Year a public holiday in Cambodia?
No, but many Sino-Khmer family businesses close for several days, and some companies and schools give time off.
Which international days are official holidays?
On the 2026 list: International New Year’s Day (1 January), International Women’s Day (8 March) and International Labour Day (1 May).
Sources: 2026 public holidays from the National Bank of Cambodia holiday list; removal of Children’s Day from the list from Cambodianess; Valentine’s Day guidance to schools reported by Philstar/AFP; Chinese New Year customs from CambodgeMag. Last checked 30 September 2026.