Cambodia’s public holidays are a blend of Buddhist ceremonies, royal commemorations, and historical milestones. In 2026, the calendar continues to offer several multi-day breaks, particularly the Khmer New Year in April and the Water Festival in November.
Below is the official list of public holidays for Cambodia in 2026:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 (Thu) | International New Year’s Day |
| January 7 (Wed) | Victory over Genocide Day |
| March 8 (Sun) | International Women’s Day |
| April 14 (Tue) | Khmer New Year (Day 1) |
| April 15 (Wed) | Khmer New Year (Day 2) |
| April 16 (Thu) | Khmer New Year (Day 3) |
| May 1 (Fri) | International Labour Day |
| May 1 (Fri) | Visak Bochea Day |
| May 5 (Tue) | Royal Ploughing Ceremony |
| May 14 (Thu) | King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday |
| June 18 (Thu) | Queen Mother’s Birthday |
| September 24 (Thu) | Constitution Day |
| October 10 (Sat) | Pchum Ben Day (Day 1) |
| October 11 (Sun) | Pchum Ben Day (Day 2) |
| October 12 (Mon) | Pchum Ben Day (Day 3) |
| October 15 (Thu) | King Father’s Commemoration Day |
| October 29 (Thu) | King’s Coronation Day |
| November 9 (Mon) | Independence Day |
| November 23 (Mon) | Water Festival (Day 1) |
| November 24 (Tue) | Water Festival (Day 2) |
| November 25 (Wed) | Water Festival (Day 3) |
| December 29 (Tue) | Peace Day in Cambodia |
Major Holidays in Cambodia 2026
Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year)
Falling in mid-April, this is the most significant holiday in Cambodia. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year. Families gather, visit pagodas, and engage in traditional games. In 2026, this 3-day holiday falls from April 14th to 16th.
Pchum Ben (Ancestors' Day)
This 15-day religious festival culminates in a 3-day public holiday. It is a time for Cambodians to pay respects to their deceased ancestors through food offerings at pagodas. For 2026, the main public holidays are observed from October 10th to 12th.
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival)
The Water Festival marks the reversal of the Tonle Sap River's flow and the end of the rainy season. It is celebrated with massive boat races in Phnom Penh and is one of the most vibrant times to be in the capital.
Holiday Considerations for Employers in 2026
Under the Cambodian Labour Law, employees are entitled to paid time off for these holidays. If an employee is required to work during a public holiday, they must be paid a premium rate (typically 200% of their regular wage).
Managing these calculations, alongside NSSF (National Social Security Fund) contributions and Personal Income Tax (PIT) withholdings, can be complex for foreign enterprises.
Seamless Workforce Management in Cambodia
As an employer, you need to take public holidays in Cambodia into account for payroll and compliance management. To help you streamline this process, our partners from RecruitGo provide end-to-end Employer of Record (EOR) and Payroll Management services.
They act as your local legal entity, ensuring that:
- Local Compliance: Your employment contracts and payroll processes fully adhere to Cambodian law.
- Accurate Payroll: We handle complex holiday pay calculations, tax filings, and NSSF contributions.
- Efficient Onboarding: Hire and manage Cambodian talent without the need to set up a costly local subsidiary.
Focus on your business strategy while RecruitGo ensures your team in Cambodia is paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with the 2026 holiday schedule.
Ready to scale in Southeast Asia? Contact RecruitGo to learn more about EOR solutions in Cambodia.