Each year, right after the harvest season and just before the start of the rainy season, Cambodians worldwide celebrate one of the most important holidays of the year: Khmer New Year. The local language calls it “Choul Chnam Thmey,” which means: “Enter the New Year.”

Celebrations last for three days, beginning with New Year’s Day, usually on the 13th or 14th of April. The starting date of the festivities can vary and depends on the ancient horoscope Maha Sangkran. Translated from Sanskrit, Sangkran means movement or passage, therefore referring to the movement of the sun, which is actually moving from one zodiac into the other.

The Khmer zodiac originated from the Chinese zodiac; that’s why the animals are the same. Like Chinese astrology, each sign has traits that are uniquely reflected in the people born under animal signs’ respective years.

When is Khmer New Year?

In 2025 Khmer New Year is celebrated from Monday, Apr 14th to Wednesday, Apr 16th, 2025.

A Short History of the Khmer New Year

Khmer New Year was initially held on the first day of the first lunar month in autumn, that is, November and December. In the 13th century, the Khmer King (either Suriyavaraman II or Jayavaraman VII) moved the festival to the fifth lunar month, April.

November through March is when the Khmer farmers are at their busiest, reaping the harvest from the rice fields. Since 95% of the Khmer population are farmers, the Khmer people can only find time to rest in April.  

The weather during this month is sweltering. It’s the opportunity for everyone to take a vacation after all the hard work. Therefore, April is the best month for the Cambodian people to celebrate New Year.

The first day of Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

On the first day of the Khmer New Year celebration, people dress up nicely and gather together for prayers. They burn candles and incense sticks at shrines and visit temples to bring offerings to the monks and receive blessings.

The second day of Cambodian New Year

The second day, also known as Virak Vanabat, is all about helping others. People make donations to charities to help the poor and less fortunate among us. On this day, they will also attend special ceremonies at the monastery dedicated to family ancestors.

The third day of New Year Celebrations in Siem Reap

On the final day, called Vearak Loung Sak in Cambodia, people wash Buddha with a mixture of scented water and perfume. This gesture can be seen as washing away bad and evil deeds, and it is supposed to bring good luck in the new year. Children will also wash their parents and grandparents on this day to apologize for any mistakes made in the past year, and while doing so, they get best wishes and wise advice to live happy throughout the year.

Traditional Games

Throughout the festivities, plenty of traditional games are played. Adults and children flock to the streets to dance and play. Most of the games find their origin in the Northern part of India and are quite different from those in other parts of the world. Let’s explore a few.

Chol Chhoung:

A chhoung is a piece of scarf rolled into a ball, with a size of a coconut. This game is played by two groups, standing opposite each other. The Chhoung is being thrown from one group to another, and when someone gets hit by it, one group starts dancing while the other group sings to the dance.

Chab Kon Kleng:

This is a Khmer game usually played by adults on the night of the first New Year’s Day. One of the game’s partakers is being appointed as the hen, who is supposed to protect her chicks from an evil crow. While both sides sing a song of bargaining, the chicks hide behind the hen, and it’s the crow’s challenge to “catch” as many chicks as possible.

Leak Kanseng:

A game played by children sitting around in a circle. One of the kids holds a “kanseng” folded in a round shape while they walk around the circle while singing a song. The kanseng has to be put behind one of the children sitting in the circle, and when the lucky kid realizes it’s behind him, he has to pick it up and playfully beat the person next to him with it.

We hope you enjoyed this introduction to Khmer New Year, and on behalf of the entire team, we’re wishing you a happy New Year and lots of fun in the celebrations. 

If you are still looking for a relaxing break away, have a look at the room offers of The Aviary Hotel. For more information and/or reservations, please contact us via reservation@theaviaryhotel.com.