2026 Khmer New Year in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Happy Khmer New Year, or as you’ll hear all over Cambodia, Sousdey Chnam Thmey. We were lucky enough to experience Khmer New Year in Siem Reap while living in Cambodia, and it is still one of the most memorable festivals we’ve ever been part of. Siem Reap feels completely different at this time of year, with colourful decorations, packed streets, traditional games, temple visits and a real sense that the whole city is celebrating together.

For 2026, Khmer New Year in Siem Reap is expected to be lively as ever, but a little more structured too. The official Khmer New Year public holiday in Cambodia falls from 14th to 16th April 2026, while the official Siem Reap Sankranta programme runs from 13th to 16th April. So if you’re visiting at that time, you can expect several days of celebrations across the city, from riverside activities and performances to traditional Khmer games, food stalls and religious ceremonies.

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Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

From what we were told, Phnom Penh can feel like a ghost town during Khmer New Year, as many businesses close and people head back to their family homes in the provinces or down to the coast and beaches. Siem Reap, though, was a completely different story. Brightly coloured stars and lights lined the riverside and roads, while displays of fruit and vegetables decorated the entrances of houses and workplaces.

A couple of mornings before the celebrations began, we woke up to find that our landlords, a Khmer family whose upstairs we rented, had hung a huge multi-coloured star light on our balcony and several smaller ones around the property. It was such a lovely touch, and it made the whole neighbourhood feel even more festive. Khmers from all over Cambodia seemed to flood into town to visit relatives and join in the celebrations, while the number of tourists also steadily increased as people arrived to experience Khmer New Year in Siem Reap for themselves.

What really stood out to us was just how lively the city felt. Yes, water play has been one of the most talked-about parts of Khmer New Year in Siem Reap in past years, especially around the city centre, along with the Angkor Sankranta Festival held in the Angkor Archaeological Park. But that is only one side of it.

There are also Buddhist ceremonies, family gatherings, traditional games, street celebrations and performances, which give Khmer New Year in Siem Reap a much richer feel than many people expect.

When is Khmer New Year in 2026?

Along with several other countries and cultures, Cambodia doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar. This means Cambodians or Khmers don’t celebrate New Year on January 1st. Instead, it is usually celebrated for three days in April. This is due to the adoption of the solar calendar, and also signals the end of the dry season and harvest and the start of the rainy season. It’s recently been announced that in 2026 Khmer New Year itself is from 14th to 16th April, while some Siem Reap events and city celebrations are expected from 13th to 16th April.

What’s Different About Khmer New Year in Siem Reap in 2026?

If you’ve read about Khmer New Year in Siem Reap before, or experienced it yourself in previous years, 2026 looks a little more organised. The official Siem Reap Sankranta programme shows a city-wide celebration spread across several different zones, with dedicated areas for religious events, traditional games, boating, performances, food vendors and Pub Street.

That makes this year’s event feel a bit more structured than the all-out chaos some travellers might expect. Looking at the official programme, there is a strong focus on traditional Khmer folk games, cultural performances, riverside activities and religious ceremonies, alongside the usual festive atmosphere in the centre of town.

For 2026, that means visitors can expect a more organised set-up, with celebrations spread across designated zones rather than everything feeling centred around one kind of experience.

Khmer New Year History and Traditions

The three days of Khmer New Year follow strict social and religious traditions. Many of these are still observed by a lot of people in Cambodia.

Day 1 – Maha Songkran

Maha Songkran means ‘big change’, and this day officially marks the end of one year and the start of a new one. Each year, one of seven angels is believed to arrive, depending on the day and time the New Year begins, to protect the world for the coming year.

To welcome the New Year angel, people clean and tidy their homes, bathe themselves and dress in their best clothes. When we were in Siem Reap, our landlords’ children were bathed in large tin bowls in the garden, which was a lovely reminder of how family-centred the celebrations are.

Tables of offerings are often displayed at the entrances of homes, with fruit, candles, incense sticks, flowers and twinkling lights arranged carefully to welcome the angel. The exact offering can vary from year to year. Many families also visit their local pagoda to pray and bring gifts of food, drink, incense and money for the monks. I went with my friend and her Khmer fiancé to his local pagoda, where we took a box of bottled water, a slab of Fanta and bundles of incense wrapped in 5-dollar notes.

Day 2 – Virak Wanabat

Wanabat means ‘day of giving’; on the second day of Khmer New Year, the tradition is for children to give gifts to their parents and grandparents. Sometimes, money and clothes are donated to those less fortunate than themselves! People gather at pagodas to build a sand mountain to honour their ancestors. It has a peak at the top surrounded by four smaller peaks representing Buddha and his disciples. In the evening, monks at the pagodas give water blessings.

Day 3 – Tanai Lieng Saka

Tanai Lieng Saka means ‘new beginning’. On the third day of the celebrations, statues of Buddha are bathed with scented water to encourage good rains in the coming months. Some people also bathe monks, their parents, and grandparents in the same way to bring good luck and long life.

The afternoon turns into a party as families and friends celebrate New Year with food and drinks in their homes and in the streets. Traditionally, children and youths would pour water and dust each other with white talcum powder as a symbol of cleanliness. All ages have now adopted this, and it is where the water and talcum powder fights originate from.

Cambodia New Year Games

Cambodian New Year (Khmer New Year) is traditionally the only time when young and teenage Cambodian boys and girls are supposed to play together. Young men also take this as an opportunity to look for possible brides. These are some of the many traditional games that are played during this time, mainly by younger Cambodians, but sometimes by adults too.

Chol Chhoung

This game is popular with children and teenagers as it’s often based on which girl likes which boy and vice versa. It’s played with two teams, a boys team and a girls team, who stand in lines opposite each other. The ‘chhoung’, which is a tied-up scarf, is thrown between the row of girls and the row of boys. When a team member catches it, they throw it quickly at someone they like in the opposite row.

If the chhoung hits that person, they lead the whole team in singing and dancing until the chhoung is passed back to the other team. The process then starts all over again.

Ongkhun

Otherwise known as ‘boy meets girl’, this is again played with two teams, boys against girls. The Ongkhun is a Cambodian vine that produces hard, round, flat(ish) seeds, resembling a large flat horse chestnut (or conker, as we call them in the UK).

One team pushes their ongkhun seeds into the ground for targets, the other team throws their ongkhuns to try to hit the targets. The team hitting the most targets wins and then hits the knees of the losing team members with an ongkhun…they’re really hard, and it hurts!

Leak Kanseng

To play this game a group of children arranges themselves in a circle sitting on the floor. One of the children holding a ‘kanseng‘, a Cambodian towel twisted into a ball, sings a song whilst running around the circle. They then try to secretly put the kanseng behind one of the other children, without them noticing. If they notice, they grab the kanseng and hits the person next to them with it.  

Siem Reap Khmer New Year Celebrations 

The social and religious traditions of Khmer New Year are, these days, mixed up with the madness of modern-day Khmer New Year. Especially for Khmer New Year in Siem Reap, which has become a tourist hub for travellers visiting the Angkor Archaeological Complex. It gets extremely busy, so if you want a choice of accommodation, make sure you book it well in advance.

The same goes for booking transport to and around Cambodia; don’t leave it too late to book.

For the three days of celebrations, we couldn’t walk along any street without being soaked with water or covered in talcum powder. There were water guns, buckets, hoses and eskies full of icy cold water ready to drench both expectant and unsuspecting passers-by. It’s irrelevant whether you’re on foot, cycle, motorcycle or in a tuk tuk; everyone’s a target. 

Royal Gardens Concerts

Alongside the river, the Royal Gardens were transformed into a cross between a huge market and a concert arena. Stalls were set up selling everything from mattresses to household items to street food. Concert stages also appeared, allowing several bands to entertain the crowds with thumping music of all genres, from Khmer pop to heavy metal.

Surrounding the stages, scores of tables and chairs were set up for people to sit and listen to the music or to enjoy the food and drink on offer from the many different food vendors. We had a great meal of stir-fried beef with rice, prawn soup, and a bottle of water. fried chicken and roasted chestnuts.

We also sampled fried chicken and roasted chestnuts, all washed down with a couple of Cambodia beers. Sometimes, you really can’t beat some street food! 

What struck me most was how friendly all the locals were; they were more than happy to involve us and invite us to join in their partying with a “chul moy” (“cheers”) or two over a can of beer.

Water Fights, Wet Zones, and What’s Changed in 2026

When we experienced Khmer New Year in Siem Reap, the evenings quickly turned into full-on street parties, especially around Old Market and Pub Street. We’d been warned it would be chaotic, but we still wanted to see it for ourselves, so we headed out with friends and walked along the riverside towards Pub Street.

Within seconds, we looked like drowned rats and were covered in talcum powder. There was no malice in it, though; everyone was laughing, joking and having fun.

The closer we got to Pub Street, the busier it became, to the point where we struggled to keep track of each other. Pub Street itself was absolute chaos, with revellers spilling out into the road from bars and restaurants and Khmer New Year songs blasting from all directions.

At its busiest, the whole area felt packed shoulder to shoulder, with water fights and talcum powder in full flow. It was a bit much for some of us, as you could barely move, so we eventually admitted defeat and escaped to a quieter nearby bar.

That was our experience of Siem Reap during Khmer New Year, and it gives you a good idea of the kind of energy the festival can have in the busiest tourist areas. For 2026, though, the official programme suggests a more structured set-up across different city zones, with a stronger emphasis on traditional games, performances, riverside activities and religious events alongside the usual festive atmosphere.

Angkor Sankranta Festival

Another major part of Khmer New Year in Siem Reap in past years has been the Angkor Sankranta Festival. Traditionally, this was one of the biggest highlights of the celebrations, with events, shows, ceremonies, games, food and performances linked to the Angkor area and the wider city.

As festival formats can change from year to year, it is best to treat our visit as an example of what Angkor Sankranta has felt like in the past, rather than assuming the set-up will be exactly the same in 2026. This year, the official Siem Reap Sankranta programme points to a broader city-wide celebration across multiple zones, with activities centred around the river, performance areas, traditional game zones, food vendors and Pub Street.

The following is based on our own experience of attending Angkor Sankranta in previous years, to give you a feel for the atmosphere.

Our Experience of Angkor Sankranta

A jam-packed schedule was promised for the three days, but as it’s such a challenge to get there and back due to the traffic, we just went on the second day of the celebrations.

We got tuk tuks from Siem Reap town, which took around 45 minutes to get there. The traffic was pretty bad, especially as we neared the entrance to the Temple complex, but eventually, we made it.

After looking at the map and programme, we decided it would be too difficult to try to be in set places at set times, so we opted to just wander to see what was going on.

On the opposite side of the moat to Angkor Wat, we came across an area with lots of traditional Khmer New Year games taking place; some of us quickly got involved in a giant tug of war. We then watched some other games that were in progress.

Soon after, we stumbled upon a traditional music and dance show and were quickly dragged into the centre and encouraged to join in the traditional dancing. After we pottered around a bit more, looking and sampling some of the local street food… it was the first time I’d ever tried palm fruit.

Next up was a bit of a walk past the Terrace of the Elephants and past the Bayon Temple to another section of the Festival. Here they were displaying the Guinness World Record attempts for the year. A giant chicken’s nest and a giant ‘chapei dong veng’, which is a traditional two-stringed, long-necked guitar. 

At this point, despite there still being much more to see, we decided to head back to Siem Reap in a ploy to avoid the crowds when everyone else left later!

Our ploy wasn’t that successful. We managed to find tuk tuks, but they took us the long way round to avoid the worst of the traffic. It took us a good hour and a half to get back to town.

Despite this, the journey back was very entertaining; the roads were lined with local families who attacked the passing traffic with deluges of water and showers of talcum powder. There were even groups of people in the back of pickups armed with watery weapons.

It was hilarious (if a little dangerous) and by the time we got back to Siem Reap, we were soaked to the skin!

Andy made a vlog on Angkor Sankranta, which you may find interesting.

Siem Reap Khmer New Year 2026 Programme and Map

The official Siem Reap Sankranta 2026 celebrations will run from 13th to 16th April 2026, with activity centred along the river and spread across several different zones in the city.

Looking at the map and programme below, this year’s celebrations are a little different from the free-for-all some people might expect, or be used to from past years. This year, there are separate areas for religious events, traditional games, performances, food stalls, exhibitions, and the Pub Street zone.

There are six main celebration zones shown on the official map:

• Zone A – Religious Event Zone
• Zone B – Mixed Performing Arts and Khmer Traditional Games Zone
• Zone C – Boating and Exhibition Zone
• Zone D – Mobile Food Vendor Zone
• Zone E – Corporate Mixed Performing Arts Zone
• Zone F – Pub Street Zone

Other useful points marked on the map include pagodas, hospitals, first aid points, police posts, public toilets, and parking, which should make it easier to navigate if you are heading into the centre during the busiest parts of the festival.

What’s On During Khmer New Year in Siem Reap in 2026?

13th April – is when the programme kicks off, with boat rides along the river from 9 am to 9 pm and a food exhibition booth open until 10 pm on the western side of the Siem Reap River. So even before the main holiday dates begin, the city should already feel lively.

14th April – the official schedule ramps up properly. There is a New Year’s Angel reception from 10:48 am to 12 pm, followed by a full day of celebrations including food exhibitions, boating, hand drum music, traditional Khmer folk games, regional activities, a boat racing programme from 2 pm to 4 pm, and performing arts into the evening.

15th April – the day begins with a religious programme and sandhill ceremony from 8:30 am to 10 am, which is a lovely reminder that Khmer New Year is not just about the crowds and street atmosphere, but also about tradition and merit-making. After that, the day continues with boating, live entertainment, traditional games, boat racing and evening performances.

16th April – celebrations continue with a boating programme from 9:30 am to 9 pm, traditional Khmer folk games, regional activities, performing arts, and live entertainment with hand drum music and a concert running into the evening. One of the most important cultural moments of the day is the Bathing Buddha Statues ceremony, from 1 pm to 3 pm in Zone A.

Overall, the official programme shows a wide mix of religious events, traditional games, performances, riverside activities and food stalls across the city. You should still expect Siem Reap to feel busy and festive, especially around the river and Pub Street, but there is clearly plenty going on across the different zones. This year, though, the programme makes it clear that there is plenty to enjoy beyond just getting soaked.

Quick Tips for Using the 2026 Siem Reap Sankranta Programme

If you want the most cultural side of the festival, head towards the religious and traditional activity zones earlier in the day.

If you are more interested in atmosphere, food and entertainment, the riverside, performance zones and Pub Street area will probably be the liveliest places to be later on.

And, because the celebrations are spread across multiple zones, it is worth wearing comfortable shoes and carrying water, especially in the April heat.

Safety for Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

Khmer New Year in Siem Reap was a fantastic, friendly, lively festival to be a part of, but due to the water and talcum powder throwing, and alcohol, it can also be dangerous on the roads.

There’s an increase in road traffic accidents caused by people swerving or being surprised by water attacks when on their motos or cycles. The combination of water and talcum powder also makes the road surface slippery, resulting in skidding and crashes, especially when mixed with speeding and drink driving.

Personally, I would avoid riding a bicycle or motorcycle during Khmer New Year. After being squirted directly in the face when riding my bicycle on the first day of the festival and nearly coming off it, I decided the bike would remain safely at home for the rest of the celebrations. You also need to stay alert when walking around town, as normal road rules don’t apply. Keep your wits about you.

There’s little violent crime during Khmer New Year, but one thing to be aware of is an increase in opportunistic pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially in crowds.

There’s probably not much chance of it happening, but to be on the safe side, I’d recommend the following: don’t take a bag out with you, don’t carry large amounts of money and don’t walk around with your camera or phone out.

I just stashed my money in my bra and kept my iPhone in the waistband of my jeans. If you take these precautions you should be fine.

One other thing to remember is that Khmer New Year falls at the hottest time of the year, so be sure to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen when out and about.

Where to Stay in Siem Reap

It’s difficult to recommend places to stay in Siem Reap because there are just so many hotels, guesthouses and hotels in and around town. Which you choose very much depends on what you’re looking for, so be sure to do some research before arriving.

Popular hostels include Lub D, Onederz, and Pool Party Hostel.

If you’re looking for something a bit quieter, there are many guest houses. Of these, our favourite guesthouse is Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel, which we absolutely love. I even took a birthday staycation there, which was amazing.

Other good guesthouses are Eureka Villas and Babel Guesthouse.

Then, of course, there are many hotels which range widely in price depending on the location, quality and facilities. Jaya House River Park, Navutu Dreams Resort and Wellness Retreat, Victoria Central Residence are all great options at the higher end of the scale.

BOOK SIEM REAP ACCOMMODATION HERE

FAQs About Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

Khmer New Year in Siem Reap is still one of the most exciting times to be in the city. Even after all these years, it remains one of the most memorable festivals we experienced in Cambodia, and one I’d happily recommend timing a trip around.

Have you spent Khmer New Year in Siem Reap or anywhere else in Cambodia? If so, please do tell us about it in the comments.

Planning Your Trip to Siem Reap?

Planning your trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia? Here are some of our recommended useful resources to help you have the best time possible.

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