Top 8 Unmissable Things to Do During and After the Cambodia Water Festival 2025
Top 8 Unmissable Things to Do During and After the Cambodia Water Festival 2025
Every November, Cambodia comes alive with one of its most spectacular celebrations: Bon Om Touk, the Cambodian Water Festival.
For three days, you’ll find Phnom Penh’s riverfront buzzing with energy as brightly decorated boats glide along the Tonlé Sap, drums echo across the water, and crowds gather to celebrate centuries of tradition. The festival dates back to the 12th century, when King Jayavarman VII’s navy famously defeated invading Cham warships, and today it honours both that historic victory and the seasonal reversal of the river that nourishes the land.
If you're visiting during this vibrant period, you get the chance to pair the festival’s lively atmosphere with carefully curated experiences, from ceremonial rituals on the riverbank to exploring the city’s markets, culture, and hidden corners.
Join our Senior Product Executive, Noemi, as she shares her expert insights on the best experiences during the Cambodia Water Festival.
What Festivities to Expect at Bon Om Touk 2025
While villages across Cambodia mark the Water Festival in their own local ways, the capital, Phnom Penh, is where the celebration truly comes alive.
Each November, the city’s riverfront becomes a stage for centuries-old traditions, vibrant competitions, and nightly spectacles that draw people from near and far. From the thrilling long boat races along Sisowath Quay to reflective moon prayers, temple gatherings with Ambok, and dazzling nightly fireworks, there’s a rich variety of experiences that capture both the energy and cultural depth of Bon Om Touk.
1. The Long Boat Races
When it takes place: across the three days of the festival, and on the last day, the winner is crowned.
Colourful boats, ready to compete in the festival boat races
There’s no better way to feel the pulse of Bon Om Touk than by the riverbanks of Sisowath Quay.
Here, long, slender boats carved in traditional Khmer style slice through the water, each carrying dozens of rowers moving in perfect rhythm to the beat of the drums. Vibrantly painted with dragons, eyes, and intricate motifs, the boats are as much a feast for the eyes as the competition is for the senses.
Crowds gather along the quayside, cheering their favourites, while the air hums with anticipation and excitement that lasts all afternoon - it's a spectacle not to be missed.
Noemi's top tip:
2. Sampeah Preah Khe Moon Prayer Ceremony
When it takes place: the second night of the festival.
Royal Palace
Amid the vibrant energy of Bon Om Touk, a quieter, more reflective celebration exists, known as the Sampeah Preah Khe, or Moon Prayer Ceremony.
This ritual takes place in front of the Royal Palace, where locals gather to express their gratitude to the moon, honouring its role in bringing prosperity and a bountiful harvest. As you watch the ceremony, you'll see offerings placed with care, gentle chants rising over the river, and participants in traditional dress moving gracefully.
This serene event serves as a counterpoint to the bustling riverfront races, providing a moment to pause, connect with Khmer culture, and witness a centuries-old spiritual tradition in full bloom.
Noemi's top tip:
3. Auk Ambok Temple Gatherings
When it takes place: midnight on the final day of the festival.
Traditional Cambodian dish, ambok
As the Water Festival comes to an end, the aroma of toasted rice fills the temple courtyards during the Auk Ambok celebrations, a beloved tradition of Bon Om Touk. On the festival's final night, locals gather under the moonlight to share Ambok, a dish made from flattened rice mixed with banana and coconut.
Prepared especially for this occasion, this symbol of gratitude and a wish for good fortune in the year ahead.
Join residents as they make offerings to Preah Mea Kongkea, the goddess of water, before sharing spoonfuls of this sweet, comforting treat. Whether enjoyed at a temple or in a family courtyard, it’s a simple yet powerful way to feel part of Cambodia’s living traditions.
Noemi's top tip:
4. Bandet Pratib Fireworks
When it takes place: every night of the festival.
Bandet Pratib Fireworks
As the sun sets and the riverbanks come alive with music, Bon Om Touk sparkles each night with the Bandet Pratib fireworks, a mesmerising 20-minute display that lights up Phnom Penh’s skyline. Just before midnight, crowds gather along the Tonlé Sap and Sisowath Quay, eyes lifted as bursts of gold, crimson, and silver dance across the water.
The air hums with celebration - drums echo in the distance, children cheer, and the scent of grilled street food drifts through the crowd. Locals and visitors alike pause to take it all in, the reflections of the fireworks rippling across the river. It’s a nightly reminder of the festival’s magic, and a fitting tribute to Cambodia’s joyful spirit.
Noemi’s top tip:
Exploring Phnom Penh and Beyond During the Festival
As Bon Om Touk lights up Phnom Penh, the city pulses with life, from shimmering riverfronts to bustling markets and hidden laneways. Cyclo rides, street food, and historic landmarks offer endless discovery, while just across the Mekong, stilted villages, silk-weaving communities, and lush forests invite ethical wildlife encounters, blending festival spectacle with authentic, unforgettable Cambodian experiences.
1. City tour of Phnom Penh
Royal Palace
Cambodia’s capital comes into its own during Bon Om Touk, a city where golden spires shimmer beside faded French façades, and the hum of street life feels even more electric.
An excellent way to explore is on a cyclo ride, a traditional three-wheeled bicycle taxi still woven into daily life. Glide through wide boulevards lined with colonial buildings, passing Wat Phnom, the city’s namesake temple, and the elegant Independence Monument. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll see both the familiar landmarks and the hidden corners that give Phnom Penh its unique energy, from lively markets spilling onto the pavements to quiet lanes where time seems to slow.
If you're keen to delve deeper, guided tours offer a window into the city’s complex past and vibrant present. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, where intricate Khmer artistry shines at every turn, before pausing at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a sobering yet essential look into Cambodia’s history.
As evening falls, join locals on the Tonlé Sap riverfront promenade, where the scent of grilled street food fills the air and impromptu music and laughter flow as freely as the river itself.
Cambodia Highlights
Angkor Wat
Extend your adventure with Noemi’s five-day Cambodia Highlights itinerary, from Phnom Penh’s riverfront buzz to Siem Reap’s legendary Angkor temples. With expert guides, scenic stops, and carefully chosen hotels, it's Cambodia’s culture made smooth.
2. Take a Foodie Tour
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Traditional Cambodian cuisine
Phnom Penh’s culinary scene is as lively and layered as the city itself.
From bustling street markets to refined dining rooms, each meal offers a glimpse into Cambodia’s culture. Wander through Phsar Kandal Market, where the aromas of fresh herbs, sizzling skewers, and sweet tropical fruits mingle with daily life. Sample local snacks, observe chefs carefully shaping dishes, and enjoy flavours that range from crisp spring rolls to fragrant curries; every bite reflects the city’s character.
For a more refined approach, Phnom Penh also offers fine-dining venues that highlight local ingredients in creative ways. Restaurants such as Sombok showcase dishes inspired by Cambodia’s provinces, presented with modern techniques in thoughtfully designed spaces.
Whether savouring a coconut dessert, sipping strong Cambodian coffee, or watching the riverside come alive at sunset, dining in Phnom Penh is a rich, sensory experience that brings the city vividly to life.
Culture and Cuisine of Cambodia
Traditional Cambodia cuisine
Join our Culture and Cuisine tour to explore Phnom Penh and beyond with a local guide. Sample street food, dine at Sombok, cycle Silk Island, and enjoy hands-on cooking, all with transfers, guides, and entry permits arranged for you.
3. Mekong River
Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Mekong River
Flowing through lush landscapes and vibrant communities, the Mekong River offers a glimpse of Cambodia beyond the city.
From Phnom Penh, you can cross the river to explore quiet islands, stilted villages, and traditional silk-weaving communities, pausing to meet artisans, watch fishermen at work, and witness local life unfold at a gentle, unhurried pace. Along the way, the river’s banks are dotted with temples, pagodas, and colonial-era towns, providing both cultural context and breathtaking scenery.
Further north, the Mekong widens into a network of islands and flooded forests where kayaks and local boats reveal hidden corners of the countryside. Wildlife is abundant, from birds flitting through the canopy to the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, while riverside markets and family-run eateries offer the freshest regional ingredients. Travelling this route, whether by boat, bike, or on foot, creates a multi-sensory experience where the sounds, smells, and colours of the Mekong come vividly to life.
Journey Along the Mekong
Sunset on the Mekong River
Travel along the Mekong River from Laos into Cambodia, exploring lush islands, flooded forests, and riverside villages. Encounter local communities, spot wildlife including Irrawaddy dolphins, visit ancient temples, and finish at Angkor Wat, with all transfers, guides, and activities included on our 'journey along the Mekong' tour.
4. Discover the Wildlife of Cambodia
Elephants roaming in the lush forests of Cambodia
Cambodia’s landscapes teem with diverse wildlife, from the lush forests of Mondulkiri to the winding waters of the Mekong River. Outside Phnom Penh, you can see rescued sun bears at Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, learning about rehabilitation and conservation.
At the Elephant Valley Project, elephants roam freely through the jungle, and you can participate in their care and feeding while prioritising the animals’ welfare, observing them respectfully in their natural habitats. Throughout the tour, expert guides emphasise ethical encounters, ensuring every interaction supports protection, recovery, and sustainability.
Further afield, the Mekong River near Kratie offers glimpses of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins gliding through calm waters, while Gibbon Valley in the east provides opportunities to spot colourful birds and primates in largely untouched forests.
Each wildlife encounter combines observation with conservation awareness, allowing travellers to enjoy Cambodia’s natural wonders responsibly. From riverbanks and flooded forests to remote sanctuaries, every sighting tells a story of the country’s rich biodiversity and the ongoing efforts to safeguard it for generations to come.
Wildlife and Culture of Cambodia
Sun Bear in Cambodia's forests
On our wildlife and culture of Cambodia tour, you can encounter Cambodia’s remarkable wildlife ethically, from caring for rescued elephants and sun bears to observing gibbons in protected forests. Along the Mekong, spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins, all while exploring the country’s rich cultural and historic sites.
Plan Your Tailor-Made Cambodia Adventure
Experience Cambodia your way with a bespoke itinerary designed around your interests, pace, and schedule. Whether you want to explore Phnom Penh during the Water Festival, glide along the Mekong River, savour local cuisine, or encounter wildlife ethically in Mondulkiri and Kratie, we can craft a personalised journey to bring Cambodia’s vibrant culture, history, and natural beauty to life.