Apart from exciting activities on holidays, Cambodia also has various colorful festivals all around a year. The majority of festivals in Cambodia follow Khmer calendar. During the festivals, many people go back to their hometown to celebrate with their relatives. Here is a list of some main festivals in Cambodia.
Meak Bochea
You would have chance to enjoy the Meak Bochea celebration when you are in Cambodia in the first months of the year: January and February. Meak Bochea is an occasions for Cambodian people, especially monks, to do homage to the Lord Buddha. If you are Buddhists, you can celebrate it by joining candlelit processions inside some temples.
1. Water festival
Water festival, so-called Bon Om Touk, lasts for 3 days to mark the start of the harvest season, and also the change of Tonle Sap River’s direction. On this occasion, hundreds of Cambodians go to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to watch the boat races. Different from Khmer New Year, there is no water fights on the street. You should expect to see fireworks, boat races and some other carnival atmosphere.
Water festival in Phnom Penh-source: internet
2. Visakha Bochea Ceremony
This is a special day for Buddhist in Cambodia because it celebrates the birth of Buddha. Each year, there are about 50.000 Cambodians joining this ceremony. On 8th May, monks, nuns and many visitors go to the Udong Mountain to celebrate this occasion. It is considered to be very important in life of Cambodians; therefore, it is arrange by Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals. Through this festival, they hope to spread Buddha’s advice and teaching so that people will be nicer.
3. Siem Reap Puppet Parade
Cambodians hold Siem Reap Puppet event every year. It takes place in Siem Reap and becomes the biggest event for children. There are four weeks for children to prepare for their puppets. And this is a chance for them to show their creativeness and self-confidence. After their puppets are finished, they will be exhibited. When the night comes, children parade their puppets through the streets. To take part in this event, you can visit Siem Reap on February.
The giant puppet- source: internet
All of holidays and festivals in Cambodia has their own purposes and show the uniqueness of Cambodian culture. So it would be wonderful if you can visit the country during these holidays and festivals. We are sure that you will get to know a lot more about this beautiful country.
Explore more topics: Best places to visit in Cambodia; Places to visit in Siem Reap; Places to visit in Phom Penh; Best Places for shoping in Siem Reap; Tourist attractions in Battambang; Tourist attractions in Kratie; Famous food in Cambodia
