Holidays and Festivals Most of the festivals in Cambodia have a religious origin and are usually celebrated in pagodas or private homes. January New Year public holiday in deference to Western calendar. National Memorial Day - 7 January - The Vietnamese freed Cambodia March International Women's Day - 8 March - Official holiday in Cambodia April Cambodian New Year/ Khmer New Year - 13-16 April - The New Year's festival spans three days following the end of the harvest season. Khmer clean and decorate their house with altars and offerings. Then they play traditional games. May International Labour Day - 1 May Visakha Bucha- The most important Buddhist Festival. Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. Celebrations take place in the pagodas around the country. People are offerings food and pray together with the monks. June International Children's Day- 1 June Samdech Preah Mohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday/ Queen's Birthday - 18 June - Public holiday September Pchum Ben Day - 16-18 September Constitution' s Day- 24 September October - Early November HM Narodom Sihanouk's Birthday and Water Festival, Moon Festival - 30 October - November - His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Narodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia was born on 31 October 1922 in Phnom Penh. Festivals take place throughout the capital for over three days and a grand fireworks display is organized at the riverbanks close to the palace. The Water Festival - is only festival celebrated with colorful processions. Hundred thousands of people are flocking the capital to celebrate this festival. November Independence Day - 19 November - the celebration of the date Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953 with parades and speeches of officials. December Human Right Day - 10 December