Cambodia events in January include Victory Over Genocide Day and the Angkor Trail race. Angkor Photo Workshops also take place in Siem Reap. January falls in the heart of Cambodia’s cool, dry season, making it one of the most comfortable months to travel — and one of the busiest for international arrivals. The month combines a national day of remembrance with Angkor trail running and photography workshops in Siem Reap.
This guide lists the most important Cambodia events in January 2027, including confirmed dates, locations and practical information for travelers.
Cambodia Events in January: Calendar at a Glance
| Date | Event | Location | Type | Tourist Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | Nationwide | National Holiday | Low |
| January 7 | Victory Over Genocide Day | Nationwide | National Holiday / Remembrance | Medium |
| January 23–24 | Angkor Trail (Ultra-Trail Angkor) | Siem Reap / Angkor Archaeological Park | Sport / Trail Running | High |
| January 23–29 | Angkor Photo Workshops | Siem Reap | Photography / Arts | Medium |
January 1: New Year’s Day
When: January 1, 2027
Where: Nationwide
Type: National holiday
Cambodia observes the international New Year’s Day as a public holiday, alongside most of the world.
It is a quiet holiday rather than a major festival — government offices close and some Cambodian families use the day for a low-key gathering, but there is no citywide public celebration comparable to Khmer New Year in April.
For travelers, the main practical effect is that some banks and government offices will be closed, so plan visa or administrative errands around it.
January 7: Victory Over Genocide Day
When: January 7, 2027
Where: Nationwide, with the main state ceremony in Phnom Penh
Type: National holiday and day of remembrance
Victory Over Genocide Day marks the anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime on January 7, 1979, when Vietnamese-backed forces took Phnom Penh and ended the period historians estimate killed roughly a quarter of Cambodia’s population between 1975 and 1979.
It is a public holiday, marked officially with wreath-laying ceremonies and state events, though the date remains genuinely contested within Cambodia — some view it as liberation, others as the start of a decade of Vietnamese occupation, and the day carries real political weight domestically.
For travelers, it is a good opportunity to visit Phnom Penh’s Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields with a measure of added context, though both sites are open and worth visiting on any date.
Tourist tip: Some government offices close for the day; this rarely affects hotels, restaurants or transport.
Angkor Trail: Cambodia Events in January
When: January 23, 2027
Where: Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park
Type: International trail-running race
The 10th Ultra-Trail d’Angkor takes place on January 23–24, 2027, with races across the Angkor area near Siem Reap.
The event offers six distances to suit very different ability levels: a 100km ultra-distance course, a 64km “Bayon Trail,” a 42km marathon, a 32km “Jungle Trail,” a 21.1km half-marathon (“Naga Trail Angkor”), and 10km walk-and-hike/elephant-trail options, plus a new 4km kids’ race for ages 12–15.
Organizers describe the trails as newly cut and genuinely wild, weaving between temples rather than following paved tourist routes, and the race is approved by Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and the Cambodian Olympic Committee.
Even travelers not racing can expect a livelier-than-usual atmosphere in Siem Reap around race weekend, with runners and support crews from dozens of countries in town.
If you want to participate or simply watch, book accommodation in Siem Reap well ahead of the date, since race weekends compress the usual hotel supply.
Angkor Photo Workshops: January 23–29
When: Angkor Photo Workshops: January 23–29, 2027. The festival itself remains paused.
Where: Various venues around Siem Reap
Type: Photography and arts festival
The Angkor Photo Festival remains on pause in 2027. Angkor Photo Workshops are scheduled in Siem Reap for January 23–29.
The 2027 program focuses on workshops rather than the festival’s usual public exhibitions.
Workshops are scheduled for January 23–29, 2027. The festival itself remains paused.
January in Cambodia: Weather and Travel
January sits at the heart of Cambodia’s cool, dry season, generally considered the most comfortable stretch of the year to visit — lower humidity, minimal rain and cooler evenings than the rest of the year, especially around Siem Reap and the northern plains.
This is also peak international tourist season, so Angkor Wat and other major sites are at their busiest, and hotel prices in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh tend to sit at their annual high.
See our best time to visit Siem Reap guide for more detail on weather and crowd patterns this time of year.
Where to Stay in Cambodia in January
Your choice of base depends on which events you want to combine with your trip.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the obvious base for the Angkor Trail race and the Angkor Photo Workshops, and since January is peak season, book well ahead.
Compare different areas in our Where to Stay in Siem Reap guide, or browse the full range in our best hotels in Siem Reap guide.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the natural base around Victory Over Genocide Day if you want to visit Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, and is generally quieter and cheaper than Siem Reap in January.
See our guide to where to stay in Phnom Penh before booking, or compare properties directly in our best hotels in Phnom Penh guide.
Cambodia Events in January: What to Prioritize
If you are planning a Cambodia trip specifically around January events, here is a rough order of priority for international travelers:
- Angkor Trail — January 23–24, for runners or anyone who enjoys race-day atmosphere in Siem Reap
- Angkor Photo Workshops — January 23–29, for a free, culturally rich alternative to the temples
- Victory Over Genocide Day — January 7, primarily relevant if you are already planning to visit Phnom Penh’s genocide-history sites
New Year’s Day is worth knowing about for planning purposes but is not itself a reason to time a trip around.
Cambodia Events in January: Bottom Line
January is a quieter month for dedicated festivals in Cambodia, but it lands squarely in the best weather window of the year, and 2027 brings two genuinely worthwhile draws for the right kind of traveler.
Runners can plan for Angkor Trail on January 23–24. Photography enthusiasts can follow the Angkor Photo Workshops on January 23–29.
If you are planning a January trip, use this calendar as a starting point and check official event sources before traveling, since exact festival dates can shift from year to year.
