May is a transitional month in Cambodia, straddling the end of the hot season and the arrival of the first rains, and it is unusually rich in national holidays â four of them fall within a few weeks of each other, including one of the country’s most visually striking royal ceremonies.
This guide lists the most important Cambodia events in May 2027, including confirmed dates, locations and practical information for travelers.
Cambodia Events in May 2027 at a Glance
| Date | Event | Location | Type | Tourist Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | International Labor Day | Nationwide | National Holiday | Low |
| May 14 | King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday | Nationwide, main events in Phnom Penh | National Holiday | Low |
| May 20 | Visak Bochea Day | Nationwide, temples | Religious Holiday | Medium |
| May 24 | Royal Ploughing Ceremony | Phnom Penh | Royal Ceremony | High |
May 1: International Labor Day
When: May 1, 2027
Where: Nationwide
Type: National holiday
Cambodia observes International Labor Day as a public holiday, in line with most of the world, recognizing the achievements and rights of workers.
It is a quiet holiday for travelers â government offices and many businesses close, but there is no citywide public celebration to plan a trip around.
May 14: King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday
When: May 14, 2027
Where: Nationwide, with official ceremonies in Phnom Penh
Type: National holiday
Cambodia marks the birthday of reigning monarch King Norodom Sihamoni as a public holiday, with official ceremonies, blessing dances and portraits of the king displayed across public buildings and streets.
For travelers, it is primarily a day of closed government offices rather than a public spectacle â worth knowing about for planning purposes, but not a specific draw in itself.
May 20: Visak Bochea Day
When: May 20, 2027
Where: Temples and pagodas nationwide, including Angkor Wat and Wat Phnom
Type: Buddhist religious holiday
Visak Bochea Day, known elsewhere as Vesak or Buddha Purnima, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, all traditionally believed to have occurred on the same full-moon day.
Cambodians mark the day with temple visits, offerings of food, candles and flowers to monks, the ritual bathing of Buddha statues, and candlelit processions circling temple grounds after dark.
For travelers, it is a genuinely good day to be at a major temple â Angkor Wat in particular sees a quieter, more devotional atmosphere than a typical day, with local worshippers outnumbering tour groups.
Tourist tip: Dress conservatively (shoulders and knees covered) if visiting a temple on this day, and consider staying into the evening to see the candlelit procession.
May 24: Royal Ploughing Ceremony
When: May 24, 2027
Where: An open field near the Royal Palace and National Museum, Phnom Penh (exact site can shift year to year)
Type: Royal ceremony
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient rite, dating back over a thousand years, that marks the traditional start of Cambodia’s rice-growing season and is timed to the lunar calendar, which is why its Gregorian date shifts each year.
A member of the royal family or a designated official ploughs a ceremonial furrow with a pair of sacred oxen, accompanied by Brahman priests, while officials and the public watch a striking piece of pageantry that blends Hindu-influenced court ritual with Buddhist blessing.
The ceremony’s best-known moment for onlookers comes afterward, when the oxen are presented with a selection of foods â rice, corn, beans, sesame, grass, water and wine â and their choice is interpreted by royal astrologers as a prediction for the coming agricultural year, covering everything from harvest yields to rainfall to public order.
It is a free, public, and genuinely unusual event to witness, though exact viewing arrangements and crowd access can vary by year, so check local news or your accommodation for the latest details as the date approaches.
What Is May Like for Travelers in Cambodia?
May sits at the hinge between Cambodia’s hot season and its rainy season â expect high heat and humidity through most of the month, with the first substantial rains typically arriving by the final weeks.
Tourist numbers drop noticeably from the April peak, which means thinner crowds at Angkor Wat and other major sites, along with lower hotel rates â a reasonable trade-off for travelers who don’t mind the heat and the growing chance of an afternoon downpour.
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 May
Your choice of base depends on which events you want to combine with your trip.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the natural base for a Visak Bochea temple visit at Angkor Wat, and with tourist numbers down in May, it is also a good month to find better rates.
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 essential if you want to see the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, since it is held right in the city center near the Royal Palace.
See our guide to where to stay in Phnom Penh before booking, or compare properties directly in our best hotels in Phnom Penh guide.
May Events in Cambodia: What Should Tourists Prioritize?
If you are planning a Cambodia trip specifically around May events, here is a rough order of priority for international travelers:
- Royal Ploughing Ceremony â May 24, Phnom Penh, a rare and genuinely striking piece of royal pageantry unlike anything else on the calendar
- Visak Bochea Day â May 20, for a more contemplative, locally-flavored temple visit at Angkor Wat or any major pagoda
- King’s Birthday and Labor Day â May 1 and May 14, worth knowing about for planning purposes (closed offices) but not reasons to time a trip around
Bottom Line
May packs an unusual number of national holidays into a single month, and while most are quiet observances rather than public spectacles, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony stands out as one of the more distinctive royal traditions a traveler can witness anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Combine it with a Visak Bochea temple visit if your dates allow, and expect thinner crowds and lower prices as the shoulder season sets in.
If you are planning a May trip, use this calendar as a starting point and check official event sources before traveling, since exact ceremony arrangements can shift from year to year.
Sources
- PublicHolidays.asia â Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Cambodia
- Office Holidays â Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia 2027 (May 24)
- Office Holidays â Visak Bochea Day in Cambodia 2027 (May 20)
- Calendar Labs â Visak Bochea Day 2027 (May 20)
- Calendar Labs â King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday 2027 (May 14)
- Wikipedia â Public Holidays in Cambodia