At a glance
The short version
- Dates
- 23-25 November 2026
- Where
- Phnom Penh riverfront, with smaller races elsewhere
- When
- The full moon of Kadeuk - usually November, occasionally late October
- How long
- Three days
- What happens
- Longboat racing by day, illuminated floats and fireworks at night
- The crowd
- Well over a million people come into the city
- Book ahead
- Months, for anywhere central. This is the busiest week of the Phnom Penh year
Bon Om Touk celebrates something genuinely remarkable: the Tonle Sap river reversing its flow as the Mekong drops and the lake begins to drain.
Cambodia marks it with three days of longboat racing on the Phnom Penh riverfront. The boats are long, narrow and crewed by dozens of rowers from provinces all over the country; at night illuminated floats move along the water and there are fireworks.
Should you plan around it?
It depends what you came for. The city is at its most alive and its most crowded – well over a million people come in, and central hotels book out months ahead. If you want atmosphere, come. If you want space, travel two weeks either side and you will barely notice it happened.
Questions travellers ask
When is the Cambodian Water Festival?
It follows the lunar calendar and falls on the full moon of Kadeuk, normally in November. In 2026 it runs 23 to 25 November.
Is it worth planning a trip around?
If you want scale and atmosphere, yes - there is nothing else like it in Cambodia. If you want quiet temples and easy restaurant tables, travel a fortnight either side.
Will everything be closed?
Government offices and many businesses close. Restaurants and hotels very much do not.
Is it safe in the crowds?
It is a family festival, but the riverfront is extremely dense. Keep valuables close and agree a meeting point.
