Khmer New Year (Angkor Sankranta)
Khmer New Year (Angkor Sankranta)
Khmer New Year — ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី — is Cambodia’s most joyful national celebration, a three-day festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the start of the new Khmer year. Unlike most Cambodian religious events, Khmer New Year follows the solar calendar, falling each year on April 13–15. This makes it one of the few major Cambodian festivals whose Gregorian date stays consistent year to year.
In Siem Reap, Khmer New Year is centred on the Angkor Archaeological Park in a celebration officially known as Angkor Sankranta — a large-scale government-organised event that uses the temples as a backdrop for cultural performances, traditional games, and national unity. It draws tens of thousands of Cambodians and visitors from across the country.
What Happens at Angkor Sankranta
Angkor Sankranta runs across the three public holidays and typically includes: traditional Khmer games (Angkunh, Teanh Prot, Chab Kon Kleng) played in the grounds of Angkor Thom and the outer precincts of Angkor Wat; Apsara dance performances by the national troupe; evening concerts on stages near the temple complex; and large communal gatherings with food, music, and family activities. Buddhist ceremonies take place at temples across the province, with monks chanting blessings for the new year.
Khmer New Year Beyond Angkor
The festival is not just a tourist event — it is the biggest family reunion holiday in Cambodia. Millions of Cambodians travel home to their provinces. Siem Reap city itself becomes both a destination (for Angkor Sankranta) and a transit point (for families heading to villages throughout the province). Streets, markets, and pagodas fill with families in new clothes, a tradition that symbolises leaving the old year behind. Water-throwing is a feature of the celebration — reminiscent of Songkran in neighbouring Thailand, though quieter in practice at Angkor itself.
Practical Information for Visitors
Angkor Park access during Khmer New Year requires a valid temple pass. Many restaurants and businesses in Siem Reap city operate on reduced hours during the three-day holiday, as local staff travel home. Plan meals and transport in advance. The atmosphere around the temples is festive and welcoming — families encourage visitors to join in traditional games and to observe ceremonies.
Khmer New Year 2027 falls on April 13–15, 2027. The annual date is consistent: always mid-April, always three public holidays. This is one of the easiest Cambodian festivals to plan around.
