Updated July 2026
Quick answer: Khmer New Year 2026 falls on April 14–16 (Tuesday to Thursday), a 3-day public holiday. Together with Pchum Ben (October 10–12) and the Water Festival (November 24–26), Cambodia observes 22 public holidays in 2026 — factory operators should plan shifts and shipments around the three long breaks.
Cambodia Public Holidays 2026: Full Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | International New Year’s Day |
| Jan 7 | Wed | Victory over Genocide Day |
| Mar 8 | Sun | International Women’s Day |
| Apr 14–16 | Tue–Thu | Khmer New Year (3 days) |
| May 1 | Fri | International Labour Day |
| May 4 | Mon | Visak Bochea Day |
| May 5 | Tue | Royal Ploughing Ceremony |
| May 14 | Thu | King Sihamoni’s Birthday |
| Jun 18 | Thu | Queen Mother’s Birthday |
| Sep 24 | Thu | Constitution Day |
| Oct 10–12 | Sat–Mon | Pchum Ben — Ancestors’ Day (3 days) |
| Oct 15 | Thu | Commemoration of King Father Sihanouk |
| Oct 29 | Thu | King’s Coronation Day |
| Nov 9 | Mon | Independence Day |
| Nov 24–26 | Tue–Thu | Water Festival (3 days) |
| Dec 29 | Tue | Peace Day |
Note: several holidays follow the lunar calendar; final dates are confirmed by annual government sub-decree.
The Three Days of Khmer New Year and What They Mean
Khmer New Year (Cambodian New Year) is the country’s most important traditional festival, held every mid-April; in 2026 it runs April 14–16, three days in total. Each day traditionally has its own name and customs:
- Day 1 – Maha Songkran: the turn of the year, marking the end of the old year and the arrival of the new guardian deity (Tevoda). Homes are cleaned and decorated, and people wash the face, chest and feet at morning, noon and evening for good fortune.
- Day 2 – Virak Vanabat: a day of charity, when people give to the less fortunate and to elders, and dedicate merit to ancestors at the pagoda.
- Day 3 – Virak Loeung Sak: Buddha statues and elders are bathed in perfumed water, symbolically washing away past faults and inviting longevity, luck and prosperity.
The Gregorian dates are remarkably stable — Khmer New Year has fallen on April 14–16 for three years running:
| Year | Khmer New Year | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 14–16 | Mon–Wed |
| 2026 | April 14–16 | Tue–Thu |
| 2027 | April 14–16 | Wed–Fri |
Production Planning Tips for Factory Operators
- Khmer New Year (April) is the longest de-facto shutdown of the year — most workers travel home and the disruption typically spans a full week. Ship critical orders 2–3 weeks ahead.
- Pchum Ben (October) and Water Festival (November) are also peak home-travel periods; build buffers into Q4 delivery schedules.
- Work performed on paid public holidays attracts premium pay under the Cambodian Labour Law — see our Cambodia manufacturing labor cost analysis.
- MSEZ tenants get workforce-planning and compliance support through the zone’s one-stop service — contact us.
Shift Planning and Compliance Around Khmer New Year
- Actual downtime usually exceeds the 3 statutory days — many workers travel far to their hometowns, so factories often add flexible days or make-up rest. April is the longest production gap of the year; ship critical orders 2–3 weeks ahead.
- Holiday pay rates: under the Cambodian Labour Law, work on a paid public holiday is compensated at a premium (double time). Budget overtime before scheduling — see the latest Cambodia minimum wage update.
- Seasonal hiring: return-to-work rates fluctuate from late April into May, with temporary labour shortages. Plan new-plant recruitment away from the holiday window; for supply, see our Cambodia manufacturing labor cost analysis.
- Logistics and customs: customs, ports and freight all slow during Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival — build buffers into clearance timing; see the Cambodia import duties & customs clearance guide.
- QIP incentives are unaffected by holidays: a Qualified Investment Project keeps its tax incentives regardless of public holidays, but shutdown days still count against lead times — assess them separately. See business registration in Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Khmer New Year in 2026?
April 14–16, 2026. Khmer New Year is Cambodia’s most important traditional festival and falls on roughly the same dates (April 13–16) every year.
How many public holidays does Cambodia have in 2026?
22 days in total, including three 3-day breaks: Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and the Water Festival.
Do factories close during the Water Festival?
Yes — November 24–26, 2026 is a statutory holiday; most factories pause production and logistics slow down nationwide.
What are the three days of Khmer New Year called?
In order: Maha Songkran (the turn of the year), Virak Vanabat (a day of charity), and Virak Loeung Sak (bathing Buddha statues and elders in perfumed water for blessings).
When is Khmer New Year in 2027?
April 14–16, 2027 (Wednesday to Friday). Khmer New Year is very stable and falls on April 14–16 almost every year.
How many days do factories close for Khmer New Year, and how is holiday pay calculated?
Three statutory days, but actual downtime often reaches about a week as workers travel home. Work on the public holidays is paid at double time under the Cambodian Labour Law, so plan shipments and inventory 2–3 weeks ahead.
