Phnom Penh’s riverside will be quiet this year during what’s normally Cambodia’s biggest annual celebration. The Royal Government has suspended the 2026 Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) celebrations in the capital, with the boat races and riverside festivities along the Tonle Sap called off for November 23-25.
Why the Festival Was Cancelled
Prime Minister Hun Manet issued the suspension via a government circular, citing the ongoing border situation with Thailand and the government’s priority of supporting displaced civilians. As of late June 2026, more than 21,000 Cambodians remained unable to return home after Thai forces occupied villages near the border or because of unexploded ordnance left behind. The circular instructed authorities to keep “paying high attention to the well-being” of displaced citizens, soldiers, and the families of those injured or killed in the border clashes.
This marks the second consecutive year Phnom Penh’s celebrations have been suspended. Cambodia has cancelled the capital’s Water Festival nine times since 2010, for reasons ranging from natural disasters to public health emergencies to border tensions.
What Still Happens in November
The three-day public holiday on November 23-25 remains unchanged, so travelers should still expect increased domestic travel and tighter hotel availability around those dates. The cancellation applies specifically to Phnom Penh’s riverside events — the boat races and illuminated-boat displays in front of the Royal Palace — while provincial celebrations, including smaller Water Festival activities in Siem Reap, are expected to go ahead depending on local arrangements.
Planning a November Trip
Travelers who built a November itinerary around the Phnom Penh festival should adjust expectations: the riverside spectacle that normally draws huge crowds to Sisowath Quay won’t take place this year. Our Cambodia Events November 2026 guide has the full monthly calendar, including the Tini Tinou circus festivals in Siem Reap and Battambang that are still going ahead. For Phnom Penh itself, the Phnom Penh Riverside guide covers what’s worth doing along Sisowath Quay outside festival season.
Bottom Line
The 2026 Phnom Penh Water Festival is officially suspended, the second year running, as Cambodia’s government keeps its focus on the Thailand border situation and displaced residents. The public holiday stands, but travelers hoping to see the famous boat races on the Tonle Sap should look to Siem Reap’s smaller celebrations instead, or plan around a different time of year.
Source: Phnom Penh Post
Pingback: Cambodia Events November 2026: Festivals & Things to Do
Pingback: Cambodia Protests Border Buddha Statue - Cambodia With Me