Bon Om Touk — Cambodia's Water Festival — is the country's biggest celebration: three days of longboat racing, illuminated floats, moon-salutation ceremonies and ok ambok (flattened rice) as the Tonle Sap River reverses. Here are the 2026 dates as listed, what actually happens each day, and how a visitor should plan around the crowds.
Last updated: October 26, 2026 · Holiday dates checked against 2026 public-holiday listings in October 2026; festival programme details are confirmed closer to November — re-check before you travel
By Sophea Khim · Host & Editor, Wander Cambodia2026 holiday dates: November 23–25, 2026 (Monday–Wednesday). Base in Phnom Penh for the full national celebration on the riverside, or in Siem Reap for a smaller version paired with Angkor. Book hotels early, expect riverside road closures, and keep valuables zipped away in the crowds — see our scams and safety guide.
For months in the rainy season, the Mekong pushes water up the Tonle Sap River into the great lake. Around November the flow reverses, the lake drains back toward the Mekong, and fish pour out with it — historically one of the most productive freshwater fisheries on earth. Bon Om Touk thanks the water for rice and fish, marks the fishing season's start, and recalls a 12th-century naval victory. The full ceremonial name also covers the illuminated-float procession, the tasting of ok ambok, and saluting the moon (Sampeah Preah Khe).
Phnom Penh is the epicentre — biggest boats, the King in attendance at the official ceremonies, and well over a million visitors in a normal year. Stay near the riverside using our Phnom Penh guide, walk to the races, and plan meals away from the crush. Siem Reap is the gentler pairing: festival on the river in town, temples in the mornings — combine it with our Angkor Pass guide and note the pass's non-consecutive days let you rest on the busiest festival day.
Timing a trip around Bon Om Touk? Slot it into our 7-day Cambodia itinerary as the Phnom Penh finale, and taste the festival-season food in what to eat in Cambodia.
Check SafetyWing Nomad Insurance → — the cover many long-stay visitors here start with, and one you can start after you have already arrived. That is an affiliate link; Wander Cambodia may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Cambodia travel insurance guide.
Going this year? The festival is on November 23–25, 2026 — our timely Water Festival 2026 prep guide covers what to book now and how to handle the riverside crowds.
2026 update (checked October 31): the Phnom Penh celebration programme has been suspended for 2026 — see the Water Festival 2026 update for what is cancelled, what still runs, and how to re-plan.
The Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) public holiday in 2026 is listed as November 23-25, 2026 — three days, Monday to Wednesday. Festival programmes are confirmed closer to the dates, so check official announcements in November before finalising travel around a specific race or ceremony.
Bon Om Touk marks the end of the rainy season and the reversal of the Tonle Sap River, which flows back toward the Mekong as Tonle Sap lake drains — a rare natural reversal that restores fishing grounds. The festival gives thanks for water, fish and rice, and commemorates a historic naval victory.
Phnom Penh's riverside in front of the Royal Palace is the national centre, with longboat races, illuminated floats and fireworks. Siem Reap holds its own races and celebrations on the Siem Reap River, and provinces celebrate locally.
Yes, if you like festivals and book early — and expect crowds, road closures around the riverside, and peak-season prices. If you want quiet temples, visit Angkor the week before or after and come into the city just for festival evenings.
Coming for the season? Cambodia in November covers the month around the festival.
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