You know how it seems like every year has something new to offer? It looks like 2025 will be a fun year! There will be a lot going on in the next twelve months, from holidays to changes in the weather. Here, we will tell you about the most important events and features on the Cambodian calendar 2025 ahead of time. There will be important dates we will talk about, and we will also talk about what to expect from the seasons. You can use this to plan your next trip or just find out about important holidays. It has all the important information for the year. Get ready to find out what 2025 has in store! This will help you figure out how to handle the new experiences and changes in your plans that are coming up over the next 365 days.
A Look at the Cambodian Calendar
Cambodia’s year is split into 12 months, which are based on the lunar schedule. The new moon starts the month and the full moon ends it. This means that some years have 12 months and others have 13. The Cambodian calendar does not have a set date for the New Year like the Gregorian calendar that most of us are used to. The lunar calendar says it happens around the middle of April.
Time of Year
Cambodia has two rainy seasons: one from May to October and one from November to April. The wet season is when the monsoons come and flood the countryside. The dry season is when it is hot and dusty. The Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River both have huge changes in water levels from one season to the next.
Party times
Cambodia has a lot of big events around the time of the Khmer New Year in April. As a blessing, people clean and decorate their homes, go to churches, and splash water on each other. In September, the Bonn Pchum Ben festival remembers the dead. Families who have lost a loved one meet at temples to remember them by giving food to the monks. In September, there is also the Boat Racing Festival, which has fun boat races, food, and entertainment.
Growing things
A lot of Cambodia is still used for farming, and rice is the main crop. It is important to plant and gather rice during the rainy season. A lot of Cambodians who live in rural areas are subsistence farmers, which means they grow mostly food for themselves. A lot of people also fish, especially around the Tonle Sap lake. For fish and other aquatic life, the wet season is a good time to breed because the water levels rise.
Khmer people stay very close to the natural rhythms by using the lunar schedule. Cambodians’ lives are still affected by the modern world, but their ancient beliefs and customs still shape how they live, work, celebrate, and try to figure out what life is all about. The Cambodian calendar shows how the people there value both the present and the past.
Important dates and events in 2025
Cambodian New Year
Cambodian New Year events in the middle of April are always a big deal. The crop season ends with the Khmer New Year, which takes place from April 14–16. As a way to bless each other for the new year, people will splash water on each other in parades and dances. There is no work or school for a week so that families can go to churches and spend time together.
On May 11
Visak Bochea Day, people remember when Buddha was born, when he became enlightened, and when he died. People walk around churches and pagodas with candles lit. On May 13–14, which is His Majesty the King’s birthday, there are also fireworks, parades, and talks.
From June to October, it rains a lot.
Cambodians honor their dead relatives on Pchum Ben, which takes place from September 08th to September 23th and is also known as “Ancestors’ Day.” People go to temples and give monks and ghosts food as an offering.
In November
Just in time for the Water Festival (November 4–6), the dry season comes back. In Phnom Penh, the event marks the turn of the Tonle Sap River. Lots of food, boat races, and fireworks. A lot of people gather along the river to watch the fun.
December
International Human Rights Day is on December 10 and Angkor Wat Day is on December 14. This day celebrates Angkor Wat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. International New Year’s Eve is on December 31, and things get festive in places like Time’s Square. At midnight, there is a countdown, music, and fireworks.
Because Cambodia’s calendar is based on the moon, some holidays and events may have different times every year. But these long-standing celebrations and cultural customs show off Cambodia’s rich history, religion, and values. Taking part in the celebrations is a great way to learn about how people live in Cambodia.
![theofferingsofkhmernewyearcasualshotsduringlockdownstockpackunsplash arisecambodiacom The offerings of Khmer new year Casual shots during lockdownThe Cambodian Calendar 2025](https://arisecambodia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/the-offerings-of-khmer-new-year-casual-shots-during-lockdown-stockpack-unsplash-300x200.jpg)
What the weather will be like in Cambodia in 2025
The weather in Cambodia in 2025 will stay hot and humid. There will be two main seasons a year: dry and wet.
The dry season (from December to May)
Cambodia has hot, dry weather from December to May. The daytime high will be between 86 and 95 F (30 and 35 C), and it is not likely to rain. People who are sensitive to dust and dry weather may have trouble breathing. People like to travel at this time because showers will not likely get in the way of their plans.
The Time of Rain (June to November)
Cambodia often gets drenched in heavy rain during the wet season, especially from July to September. It will stay hot, between 82 and 88 °F (28 and 31 °C), but the humidity will rise, making it feel very stifling. Some parts of the country may flood, so check the road conditions before you go anywhere. It will rain in short bursts, most often in the afternoon and evening, but it might still be sunny sometimes. Cambodia’s scenery come to life with lush greenery and flowers in bloom when it rains.
The monsoons in Cambodia bring more heavy rain, and they are part of the seasons. It rains in the northeast from October to March and in the southwest from May to October. Along with rain, monsoons often bring strong winds and storms.
The weather in 2025 will probably be like it has been in recent years, but climate change could cause changes in the decades to come. Scientists say that extreme weather like heat waves, droughts, and storms will get worse and happen more often in Cambodia. The temperature will also rise. But for now, if you are going to Cambodia in 2025, pack for a hot and humid tropical environment, and be ready for both sunny skies and sudden rain. Even though the weather is hard to predict, the Cambodian people will always be friendly.
About the 2025 Cambodian Calendar
When is the New Year in Cambodia?
The Cambodian New Year, which is also called Chaul Chnam Thmey, will take place on April 14th and 15th, 2025. It is the end of crop season and the start of rainy season during these three days of dancing. You can spend time with your family and friends because most Cambodians will not have to work.
How is the weather in 2025?
The weather in Cambodia is tropical rainfall, which means it is hot for most of the year. From December to April, it does not rain much, and the usual high temperature is 32°C. Wet weather, or the rainy season, lasts from May to November. It rains in the afternoon, and the temperature drops to about 28°C. Between September and October is when it rains the most.
Are there any holidays or important events to keep an eye on?
Other important holidays and cultural events in 2025 are the following:
- The Khmer New Year, which happens from April 14th to 16th, is a big holiday in Cambodia.
- The birthday of King Sihamoni (May 13th–15th)
- Pchum Ben Day
- The Tonle Sap River turns around during the Water Festival
Should I know anything else?
Here are some more things you should know about your trip to Cambodia in 2025:
- There is no need to swap money because US dollars are accepted everywhere.
- People usually try to get the best deal when they shop at local markets. You should start at half of the price being asked as a general rule.
- Tipping is not popular in Cambodia, but it is nice to do so at nice restaurants.
- Dress simply, especially when you are at a religious place, because most Cambodians are Buddhist.
- Get the shots you need, like Hep A/B and Typhoid shots, and think about taking malaria pills.
Have fun on your trip to 2025’s Kingdom of Wonder! People in Cambodia are nice, the food is delicious, and the scenery will take your breath away.
You might also want to read:
Chinese New Year in Cambodia : Everything you need to know
Visak Bochea Explained: Everything You Need to Know
Cambodian New Year: Everything You Need to Know
A Closer Look at Cambodia’s Water Festival and Its Significance