December is one of the best months to visit Cambodia. The weather is generally dry and comfortable, the main tourist season is underway, and several major cultural, sporting and coastal events take place across the country.
The biggest event of the month is the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon on December 6, when thousands of runners and spectators gather at Angkor Archaeological Park. Later in December, the Sea Festival moves to Preah Sihanouk Province, bringing concerts, food, sports and coastal activities to Cambodia’s southern coast.
December also brings the Christmas and New Year festive season to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Cambodia’s beach destinations, while Peace Day on December 29 is an official national holiday.
Best Cambodia Events in December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 6 | Angkor Wat International Half Marathon | Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap | International Sports Event |
| December 18–20 | Sea Festival 2026 | Preah Sihanouk Province | Coastal Festival |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve Celebrations | Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & major tourist destinations | Festive Events |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Nationwide | Festive Season |
| December 29 | Peace Day in Cambodia | Nationwide | National Holiday |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve Celebrations | Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & coastal destinations | New Year Event |
1. Angkor Wat International Half Marathon — December 6, 2026
Location: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Type: International running and charity event
The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon is one of Cambodia’s best-known international sporting events and one of the most unusual races in Southeast Asia.
The 31st edition takes place on December 6, 2026, with the start and finish area in front of Angkor Wat. The course passes through the Angkor Archaeological Park, including some of the area’s famous temple landscapes.
The event attracts runners from Cambodia and around the world and raises money for humanitarian causes, including support for landmine victims and children’s healthcare in Cambodia.
Even if you are not participating in the race, it can affect your visit to Angkor that morning. Roads and parts of the archaeological park are used for the event, so travelers planning a sunrise visit should check the latest arrangements before heading to the temples.
If you are coming specifically for the race, staying in Siem Reap is the obvious choice. See our guides to where to stay in Siem Reap, the best hotels in Siem Reap and Siem Reap Travel Guide.
It is also worth planning your temple visit around the event using our Ultimate Angkor Wat Guide and Angkor Wat Sunrise Guide.
2. Sea Festival 2026 — December 18–20
Location: Preah Sihanouk Province
Dates: December 18–20, 2026
Type: Coastal tourism, cultural and entertainment festival
The 12th Sea Festival takes place in Preah Sihanouk Province from December 18 to 20, 2026.
The annual festival rotates between Cambodia’s four coastal provinces — Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Koh Kong and Kampot — and is designed to promote Cambodia’s coastline, marine tourism and coastal communities.
The 2026 edition is being held under the theme “Sea Value: Blue Economy Connects Coastal Biodiversity.”
Travelers can expect a mixture of concerts, food, cultural performances, sporting activities, tourism showcases and beach-related events. The festival is particularly relevant for visitors already planning a December trip to Cambodia’s southern coast.
Preah Sihanouk Province also provides access to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, making it possible to combine the festival with a beach holiday.
See our guides to Sihanoukville, Sihanoukville to Koh Rong and Koh Rong if you are planning to combine the event with the islands.
3. Christmas Eve in Cambodia — December 24
Location: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and major tourist destinations
Date: December 24, 2026
Type: Festive and entertainment events
Christmas is not a traditional Cambodian national holiday, but December 24 is an increasingly active night in Cambodia’s major tourist destinations.
International hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the coastal resorts usually organize Christmas Eve dinners, live entertainment and special events for international visitors.
Siem Reap is particularly active because the city has a large concentration of international hotels and resorts. For example, Park Hyatt Siem Reap has announced a Christmas Eve celebration on December 24 featuring festive food, live culinary stations, entertainment, Christmas carols, Santa and Khmer performing arts.
Travelers should treat individual hotel events as separate programmes rather than assuming that there is one official city-wide Christmas celebration. If you want a particular Christmas dinner, reservation is recommended.
For accommodation, see our guides to where to stay in Siem Reap, luxury resorts near Angkor Wat and the best hotels in Siem Reap.
4. Christmas Day — December 25
Location: Major tourist destinations nationwide
Date: December 25, 2026
Type: International festive season
December 25 is not one of Cambodia’s official national public holidays, but Christmas is widely celebrated by hotels, international restaurants, resorts and businesses serving foreign visitors.
In Siem Reap, travelers can find Christmas brunches, roast dinners, live entertainment and family activities at major hotels. Phnom Penh also has a large selection of Christmas dining and entertainment options.
For travelers, the main practical consideration is that popular Christmas dinners and hotel events can sell out. If Christmas is part of your Cambodia itinerary, check individual venues and reserve ahead of time.
5. Peace Day in Cambodia — December 29
Location: Nationwide
Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2026
Type: National public holiday
Peace Day in Cambodia is an official national holiday commemorating the end of the country’s long period of conflict and the achievement of national peace and reconciliation.
The holiday falls on December 29 and marks the date associated with the country’s complete peace and national unity under the government’s “Win-Win” policy.
For tourists, Peace Day is primarily a date to know when planning transport, government services and business visits. Some public offices and businesses may operate differently because it is an official holiday.
It is also an opportunity to learn more about Cambodia’s modern history beyond the temples of Angkor. Travelers interested in the country’s twentieth-century history can include Phnom Penh’s historical sites in their itinerary.
See our Phnom Penh Travel Guide and Phnom Penh 2-Day Itinerary.
6. New Year’s Eve — December 31
Location: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Koh Rong and other tourist destinations
Date: December 31, 2026
Type: New Year’s Eve celebrations
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year in Cambodia’s main tourist destinations.
Siem Reap is particularly popular with international travelers. Restaurants, hotels, rooftop bars and entertainment venues organize gala dinners, live music, parties and countdown celebrations.
Phnom Penh offers a larger urban nightlife scene, while Sihanoukville, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are popular choices for travelers who want to celebrate New Year’s Eve by the beach.
Many events are announced by individual hotels and venues rather than through one national programme, so exact details vary. Travelers should check the venue directly closer to December 31.
Some luxury hotels have already published their 2026 programmes. Park Hyatt Siem Reap, for example, has announced a White & Gold Gala Dinner for December 31 with live entertainment.
If you want a beach New Year, see our guides to Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem and Sihanoukville.
December 2026: What Travelers Should Know
December is firmly inside Cambodia’s high tourist season. Dry weather, comfortable temperatures and clear conditions around Angkor make it one of the most popular times of year to visit.
That also means accommodation and transport can become more expensive, especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- Early December: Siem Reap becomes particularly busy around the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon.
- December 6: Expect temporary changes around Angkor Archaeological Park because of the race.
- December 18–20: The Sea Festival brings additional visitors to Preah Sihanouk Province.
- December 24–25: International hotels and restaurants host Christmas events.
- December 29: Peace Day is an official national holiday.
- December 31: Major tourist destinations become busy for New Year’s Eve.
If you are traveling during the second half of December, booking accommodation earlier is particularly sensible. Compare current options using our Cambodia hotel prices guide.
Where to Stay for December Events
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the best base for the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon and the strongest destination for travelers combining December events with Angkor.
It is also one of the best places in Cambodia to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with a large selection of international hotels, restaurants, bars and resorts.
See where to stay in Siem Reap, the best hotels in Siem Reap and hotels with Angkor Wat shuttle service.
Preah Sihanouk Province
If your priority is the Sea Festival and a beach holiday, staying in or around Sihanoukville gives you the easiest access to the December 18–20 programme.
You can then continue to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem for a quieter beach stay or a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the best option for travelers who want city nightlife, restaurants, rooftop bars and a more urban New Year’s Eve experience.
See our guides to where to stay in Phnom Penh and the best hotels in Phnom Penh.
December 2026 Cambodia Events Calendar: Quick Summary
- December 6: Angkor Wat International Half Marathon — Siem Reap
- December 18–20: Sea Festival 2026 — Preah Sihanouk Province
- December 24: Christmas Eve celebrations — major tourist destinations
- December 25: Christmas Day events — hotels, resorts and restaurants
- December 29: Peace Day in Cambodia — nationwide public holiday
- December 31: New Year’s Eve celebrations — nationwide, especially Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the coast
Sources
- Visit Cambodia — official Cambodia events calendar
- Angkor Wat International Half Marathon / Angkor Hospital for Children — official 2026 race information
- Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) — 2026 race calendar
- Agence Kampuchea Presse — Ministry of Tourism announcement for the 2026 Sea Festival
- Royal Government of Cambodia / official 2026 public holiday calendar
- Park Hyatt Siem Reap — official 2026 festive programme