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Cambodian New Year, also known as Chol Chnam Thmey in Khmer, is the most important holiday in the Cambodian calendar. This annual event takes place in April and the festivities last for three days, from April 14 to 16. It is a celebration that is both convivial and spiritual and has great cultural importance for the country. In this article, you will learn about the origin of this holiday, as well as the traditions and celebrations associated with the Cambodian New Year 2026.

Khmer Apsara dance is taught nationwide in Cambodia, featuring graceful movements and intricate hand gestures. Visitors can enjoy nightly performances in major cities, especially Siem Reap near Angkor Wat.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Khmer created that very active martial art, which was known as Bokator; it influenced the Khmer Empire, once established with a territory spreading over most of present-day Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Its presence since the Neolithic period can be evidenced through carved reliefs or archaeological excavations, especially at Angkor and several provinces of Cambodia. Originally, Bokator served the purpose of ensuring survival against both predators and war. The art, with its techniques, has been passed on from one generation to another and has become a foundation of Khmer culture. The fighters then built their strategies by imitating the actions of tigers, eagles, and other animals symbolizing might and agility.

The much-anticipated Angkor Sankranta 2026 is set to take place from April 14 to 16 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This vibrant festival will feature an array of cultural performances, traditional games, culinary delights, and artistic showcases, making it an unmissable event for travelers seeking an authentic Khmer experience.

Have you ever wondered how a civilization can tell its story through carved stones, graceful dances, or hand-woven scarves? Khmer art is all of these things at once: a mixture of stories, beliefs and know-how that continues to live on in Cambodia, but also in formerly Khmer lands, such as Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar or Malaysia. This heritage is the soul of a people who built a powerful empire between the ninth and fifteenth centuries.