Top 10 Festivals & Events in Phnom Penh 2026

Here’s a guide to the top festivals & major events in Phnom Penh in 2026 with approximate dates/times (note that many Cambodian festival dates follow the lunar calendar and can shift slightly, so it’s good to double-check closer to the event):

Top 10 Festivals & Events in Phnom Penh 2026

1. Great Cambodian Craft Beer Festival
   • Date: 31 January 2026 (all day / afternoon)
   • What: Phnom Penh’s biggest craft beer celebration with local and international brews, music, food, and lively social vibes.
2. International Women’s Run (Women Run 10k)
   • Date: 8 March 2026 (morning start)
   • What: Festival-style run to celebrate International Women’s Day, weaving through iconic city landmarks.
3. Cambodia International Film Festival
   • Dates: 6–14 March 2026 (sessions through the day & evening)
   • What: A major cultural event showcasing Cambodian and international cinema, workshops, and special screenings.
4. Meak Bochea (Buddhist Holy Festival)
   • Date: ~2 February 2026 (full-moon day ceremonies)
   • What: Spiritual Buddhist celebration with temple chanting, offerings, and candlelight processions at Wat Phnom and other pagodas.
5. Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey)
   • Dates: 14–16 April 2026
   • What: One of Cambodia’s biggest celebrations, with traditional games, temple visits, family gatherings, and water-symbolism activities.
6. Visak Bochea (Buddha Day)
   • Date: ~1 May 2026
   • What: Major Buddhist festival marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing; temples host prayer, meditation, and fireworks.
7. National Day of Remembrance
   • Date: 20 May 2026
   • What: A solemn remembrance of the Khmer Rouge era, with ceremonies at Choeung Ek and memorials near Phnom Penh.
8. Phnom Penh International Half Marathon
   • Date: 14 June 2026 (morning start)
   • What: A scenic run along the Mekong Riverfront celebrating fitness and community—popular with both locals and tourists.
9. Independence Day of Cambodia
   • Date: 9 November 2026
   • What: National celebrations with flag-raising and torch ceremonies at Independence Monument, cultural performances, and public events.
10. Bon Om Touk (Water Festival / Cambodian Water & Boat Festival)
    • Dates: 23–25 November 2026 (multi-day from morning to late evening)
    • What: Cambodia’s most spectacular public festival — traditional longboat races on the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers, illuminated evening parades, live performances, and fireworks.

Notes

• Many dates above (especially religious festivals) are based on the lunar calendar, so exact Gregorian calendar days can shift slightly — confirm with local tourism closer to the events.
• Phnom Penh’s riverfront (Sisowath Quay) is often the main hub for festivals like Bon Om Touk, Visak Bochea fireworks, and national celebrations.
• For major cultural festivals (Khmer New Year, Water Festival), expect crowds, festive markets, free concerts, street food, and transport changes near riverside areas.