Cambodia has a wealth of traditional and international festivals. These are times of great rejoicing for the people; many of which flock to the capital to join in the celebrations and witness the organised fireworks displays. At these times the Nation unites with a shared common understanding of values and traditions. Even in times of hardship, the people try even harder to make these occasions special. All the traditional festivals are influenced by the concepts of Buddhism, Hinduism and Royal cultures. The following events are the most important celebrations organised throughout the year:

Water Festival Phcum Ben King Sihanouk's Birthday Celebration Khmer New Year

Royal Ploughing Festival Independence Day National Day Other Holidays and Festivals

This spectacular event is the most extravagant festival in the calendar, convened over a three-day period commencing with the last full moon in October or the beginning of November. Up to a million people from all walks of life and from all over the country flock to the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers in Phnom Penh , to watch hundreds of brightly colored boats with over 35 paddlers in each, battle it out for top honors. These boat races date back to ancient times, marking the strength of the powerful Khmer maritime forces during the Khmer Empire. In the evening, brightly decorated floats cruise along the river complementing the nightly fireworks display. There is often a parallel festival at Angkor Wat. Although smaller in scale, it is just as impressive due to the backdrop of Angkor. 

The festival marks the changing flow of the Tonle Sap River and is seen as a thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land and an abundance of fish. What is remarkable about this phenomenon is that the Tonle Sap River flows upstream during the rainy season, and then changes direction, as the rains cease and the swollen Tonle Sap Lake empties back into the Mekong River , leaving behind vast quantities of fish. This is one of the only waterways in the world to experience this unique phenomenon.

This is the most culturally and religiously significant event of the year. This "festival of souls" concentrates on blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends who have passed away. All Buddhist temples, especially Wat Phnom in the heart of the city, are focal points for this festival. The majority of Cambodian people visit their family temples during this period to make traditional offerings and prayers.

This celebration, revering the country's beloved King, takes place in late October or early November. People from all over the country journey to Phnom Penh to join in celebrations and festivities held throughout the capital. Often the King's birthday and the Water Festival coincide, resulting in a mammoth celebration in front of the Royal Palace and along the riverfront. Provincial villagers who would ordinarily not visit Phnom Penh will save up and make this occasion their sole visit to the capital.

Celebrated at the same time as the Thai New Year, this festival marks the turn of the year based on the ancient Khmer calendar and marks the end of the season's harvest. Cambodians decorate their homes to please the 'Heaven God' and many people can be seen on the streets armed with small bags of water and water pistols to 'bless' people passing by. This festival is one of the happiest times of the year with joyous smiling faces at every turn.

Cambodia has a deep connection with the earth and farming, and there is a strong astrological belief that the Ox plays an instrumental role in determining the fate of the agricultural harvest each year. Every year, in May, this cultural ceremony takes place in the large park next to the Royal Palace and in front of the National Museum . The King plays a key role in this celebration by driving an Ox and depicting real ploughing activities in the process of growing rice. The Ox is given a selection of foods and beverages to consume and the royal soothsayers interpret what the Ox has eaten as an omen for the coming year. For this festival both men and women can be seen wearing brightly coloured traditional Khmer costumes.

This important ceremony takes place at the site of the Independence Monument , at the junction of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevards. The ceremony celebrates Cambodia 's gaining of independence from France in 1953. All over the city flags adorn shop fronts with banners signifying the national pride of the Khmer people stretched over main thorough fares.

Due to the large number of people of Chinese origin, many of which run Cambodia 's business enterprises, Chinese New Year is widely celebrated. No Chinese festival would be complete without fireworks and this time of year is no exception with many wealthy families organising their own private displays, lighting up the skies for all to see.

One of the more recent additions to the festival calendar, this day marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime. However, for many Khmers, it also marks the start of the Vietnamese regime, seen as another period of foreign occupancy.

Cambodia also celebrates other special days including: International Women's Day , International Worker's Day, Genocide Day, Vesak Buchea Day - The anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, Chol Vassa - Buddhist Lent and International Human Rights Day.