Introduction
Many South and Southeast Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, celebrate their New Year on the solar calendar. Called by different names such as Choul Chnam Thmey, Khmer New Year, Sangkran, Pi Mai Lao, Thingyan, and Aluth Avurudu, the New Year is celebrated in mid-April. These festivals link the sun’s movement into Aries, featuring similar traditions.
What is the Khmer New Year?
Khmer New Year is one of Cambodia’s biggest traditional festivals. It is also known as Chaul Chnam Thmey, or Moha Sangkranta in Khemr or the Cambodian New Year, and is a three-day holiday in Cambodia. “Chaul Chnam Thmey” means “enter the new year” in English. The Khmer New Year is based on the traditional solar New Year. This year, the Cambodian New Year is from Tuesday, 14 April to Thursday, 16 April 2026, and the animal for the year is the Snake.
History of the Khmer New Year
The Khmer New Year starts from Tuesday, 14 April, to Thursday, 16 April 2026, per the ancient Khmer horoscope reading.
Earlier, it began on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar, either in November or December. But in the 13th Century of the Angkor Era, the Khmer King, either Suryaraman II or Jayavaraman VII, changed to the fifth month of the Lunar Calendar in April, i.e., the Solar Calendar. The reason for this shift was that 95% of the Khmer population were farmers, and the busiest period was from November to March due to harvesting. As April is free of rain, tends to be hot, and is an ideal time to go on vacation after collecting their income, this month was an ideal time to do so. Hence, April was the right time to celebrate the Khmer New Year.
How is the Khmer New Year Celebrated?
The Khmer New Year is all about family and community celebrations. Schools hold events for their students 2 weeks before the festival, followed by 3 days of school and public holidays.
The 3 Day of Khmer New Year has its unique name and related customs:
Day 1 Moha Sangkran
“Moha Sangkran” is the first day of the new year. It is the welcoming of New Angels, who come to protect the world for a year. The leaders of these angels are “KimiteaTevi”. On this day, family members clean and decorate the house, prepare food and drinks, and offer fruits and food to monks for blessings.
Day 2 Veareak Vanabat
The second day is “Veareak Vanabat”. Families dedicate the ceremony to their ancestors at monasteries. On this day, they offer gratitude and gifts to the elders and distribute charity to the less fortunate. In the evening, they visit the temple and observe the custom of building sand mounds. This brings prosperity and longevity to the Cambodian people.
Day 3 Veareak Laeung Sak
The final day of the Khmer New Year is “Veareak Laeung Sak”. In the evening, they perform the last ceremony, called “Puthu Srang Preah.” Here, they bathe the statue of the Buddha, grandparents, or elders with holy, fragrant water to show gratitude and apologise for mistakes.
What Do You Do on Khmer New Year?
One of the most essential aspects of human life is entertainment. The Khmer New Year features a variety of activities and games for everyone, from young children to adults, to spend quality time together.
Creating a Water Basin
On day one, the local people prepare a water basin with flowers like Jasmin, five incense sticks, candles, desserts, fruits, drinks, etc.
Playing traditional games
The second day includes playing the traditional Khmer games, such as:
- Tossing towels called “Chol Chhoung.”
- The scarf-hiding game is called “Leak Kon Saeng.”
- Tug-of-war called “Teanh Proat.”
- The traditional “Bos Ang Kunh” game involves coordinating hands and eyes to enhance concentration.
- Catch the baby hawk called “Chab Kon Kleng.”
- Pagodas and other localities are filled with happy classical songs and dance.
Feasting
Are you wondering what they eat during the Khmer New Year? The answer is that there are many mouthwatering options you can gulp down. On the third day, the families prepare delicious traditional foods like:
- The “Nom Ansom” is served with a sweet, sticky rice dessert.
- The “Khmer Curry” is cooked with lots of herbal ingredients.
- “Khmer Fish Amok”, a steamed fish curry made with coconut milk in banana leaves
- “Kralan” is a tasty rice cake made with coconut milk and nuts, steamed and roasted inside the bamboo.
Fireworks and street parties
The last day is celebrated with fireworks and street parties in Cambodia. They create a joyous atmosphere by celebrating it with family and friends.
Where to Celebrate Khmer New Year 2026 in Cambodia?
The Cambodian New Year happens throughout the country. You donot need to go for off-beat travel or rural villages to feel the essence of the festival, as most bustling celebrations happen in Kampot, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang.
Kampot
Kampot shines during the Khmer New Year, and nearly 1 million people gather in the city for the festival. Here you can experience the authentic vibe and culture as locals share their traditions with wide arms. Here, you can experience the temple ritual, joyous water fights and special Khmer New Year foods like Kralan and Num Ansom. The traditional games and Apsara dances enrich the experience. You can also visit the nearby Bokor National Park during your festive trip.
Phnom Penh
The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is the centre of celebration. The entire Royal Palace is decorated with lights and has an exclusive fireworks show. The street around the Palace is filled with food stalls selling traditional Cambodian cuisine. People gather to offer prayers and donations, and participate in fun activities and games.
Siem Reap
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat temple is located in Siem Reap. The festival attracts nearly 1.8 million visitors. The temple is filled with lights, and the community celebrates with traditional dance performances and music. Street fairs feature local crafts and food stalls.
Battambang
You must attend to witness the boat race on the Sangker River that happens at Battambang. The city also hosts street fairs and cultural performances. Travellers can visit the local pagodas and temples to offer prayers and observe traditional ceremonies.
redBus lists multiple bus operators on its site for the cities mentioned above. You can reserve your bus tickets online from anywhere, based on the timing, seats, and bus type you want to travel in.
How to Say Happy New Year in Khmer?
Here is how to wish someone Happy Khmer New Year:
| Khmer Greetings | Pronounce | Meaning in English |
| សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី | Soursdey Chnam Thmey | Happy New Year |
| សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី! សូមរីករាយសុខសប្បាយ! | Soursdey Chnam Thmey! Som riekreay sok sabay! | Happy New Year! Wishing you happiness and good health! |
| ឆ្នាំថ្មីសូមអោយប្រពរពរអ្នកសុខសប្បាយ | Chnam Thmey som arprapoun neak sok sabay | For the New Year, I wish you good health. |
Don’t forget to say these greetings in a polite way by placing your hands in a prayer-like gesture called “Sampeah”.
Top 5 Latest updates on Khmer New Year 2026
- The Cambodian government is prohibiting the throwing of water and talcum powder in public and is placing greater emphasis on traditional games, cultural performances, and temple rituals.
- Pre-New Year events have begun, including traditional ox-cart racing (e.g., in Kampong Speu) and large community gatherings in the diaspora, such as Oakland, California, and Gwangju, South Korea.
- Celebrations feature “Angkor Sangkran”, including traditional Khmer folk games, classical dancing, and Buddhist rituals like the Srong Preah (washing Buddha statues).
- A major Angkor Sangkran event is scheduled to take place in Siem Reap, highlighting the cultural heritage.
- Festive gatherings in Phnom Penh, such as those at Wat Phnom, are a focal point.
Conclusion
Khmer New Year is a celebration of rich heritage and a time to reflect on gratitude. It is that time of year when families gather to honour their ancestors, and you get to dive into the heart of Cambodian cultural celebration, creating a lifetime of memories.
Sursedey chnam thmey!
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Khmer New Year?
The Khmer New Year 2026 is from 14 April to 16 April.
- What day is Khmer New Year?
This year, the Khmer New Year is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- When does the Khmer New Year start?
The Khmer New Year 2026 starts on Tuesday, 14th April.
- Why is the Khmer New Year important?
Khmer New Year holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, making it a time of renewal to honour ancestors and seek blessings for the coming year.
- What are the Purposes of the Khmer New Year Celebration?
The purpose of the Khmer New Year Celebration is to mark the end of the harvest season, welcome the new lunar year, honour the ancestors, cleanse away misfortunes, and promote good luck and prosperity.
- When does the Khmer New Year end?
The Khmer New Year will end on Thursday, 16th April.
- Why is the Khmer New Year in April?
The Khmer New Year is based on the solar calendar, aligning the sun’s movement with Aries.
- Why do we celebrate the Khmer New Year?
We celebrate by observing traditions, welcoming the new year, offering food to monks, participating in cultural and religious rituals, and spending time with family.
- What is the First Day of Khmer New Year called?
The First Day is called the Moha Sangkran.
- How to write Happy New Year in Khmer?
You can write it as “Soursdey Chnam Thmey” or “ សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី “.
