Khmer New Year, also known as Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of the most significant cultural celebrations for Cambodians around the world. In 2025, this joyful event will be observed from April 14th to April 16th, marking the end of the harvest season and ushering in a new year full of hope and prosperity. Whether you’re part of the Khmer community or simply interested in experiencing this vibrant tradition, this guide will take you through the history, customs, and modern-day celebrations of Khmer New Year.
What is Khmer New Year?
Khmer New Year is a three-day festival that celebrates the Cambodian solar New Year. The event is rich in cultural customs and rituals, focused on honoring ancestors, family, and the divine. It’s a time to refresh, reflect, and renew for the year ahead. Traditionally, the holiday follows the lunar calendar, which means its dates shift each year, but it always falls in April.
How to Celebrate the Cambodian New Year 2025 in Puget Sound
If you’re in the Puget Sound area and want to celebrate Khmer New Year in 2025, you’re in luck! Several events will take place throughout the region to bring the Cambodian community together. Here are some exciting celebrations you can join:
Khmer New Year – Chaul Chnam Thmey
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Location: Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126
Details:
Celebrate the Khmer New Year with a full day of festivities, including cultural presentations, traditional blessing dances, a shared community meal, and lively Romvong dancing with karaoke. The event also features a raffle, photo booth, and grocery bag giveaways. Programming runs from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s Khmer New Year Celebration
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Location: STAR Center, 3873 S. 66th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Details:
Join the Asia Pacific Cultural Center for its third annual Khmer New Year celebration—a lively and family-friendly event highlighting Cambodian traditions. The day includes cultural performances, religious ceremonies, crafts, games, and a colorful parade. Attendees can also enjoy fashion shows, live entertainment, and a “Taste of Asia” food experience featuring Cambodian chicken curry. Admission is free, and the event runs from 10 AM to 5 PM.
22nd Annual Khmer New Year Street Festival
Date: April 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: SW 98th Street, White Center (between 15th and 16th Ave SW)
Admission: Free
Details:
Celebrate Khmer New Year with a vibrant day of cultural festivities in White Center! This free, family-friendly event features traditional monk blessings and food offerings, captivating Khmer music performances, and a fashion show with skits. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of authentic Cambodian cuisine from local vendors, take part in fun games and contests, and connect with nonprofit organizations serving the community.
Learn Khmer History, Paint Easter Eggs, & Trip to DripTea
Date: Friday, April 4
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Location: The GAL (Sinegal 120)
Details: Dive into the rich history of Khmer culture while getting creative with Easter egg painting led by Darozyl. Afterward, the group will head to DripTea for a refreshing treat.
Khmer Film Night
Date: Friday, April 11
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: MPC Screening Room (LEML 111), 1st Floor of Library
Details: Get an exclusive viewing of a captivating Khmer film by Darozyl. With limited spots available (max 25), this intimate screening is sure to spark meaningful conversation.
Khmer New Year’s Temple Field Trip
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Watt Dhammacakkaram, 3006 S Juneau St, Seattle, WA 98108
Details: Experience the vibrant celebration of Khmer New Year at the temple, complete with music, dancing, and delicious food. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Mam’s Bookstore Field Trip
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 12:00 – 2:30 PM
Location: 3rd Floor Lemieux Library → Mam’s Bookstore, 608 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Details: Explore the heart of the Khmer community by visiting Mam’s Bookstore, a local gem. The group will meet at Lemieux Library and take the streetcar for a shared adventure.
Whether you’re celebrating at one of these fantastic events or hosting your own gathering, these festivals are an excellent way to experience the cultural richness of the Khmer community and join in the festive spirit of the New Year.
Key Traditions and Celebrations of Khmer New Year
- House Cleaning and Decorating
Before the festivities begin, families spend time cleaning and decorating their homes, symbolizing the removal of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune. The decorations often feature intricate Khmer motifs and traditional symbols. - Prayers and Offerings to Ancestors
The first day of Khmer New Year, known as Sangkran, is dedicated to honoring ancestors. Families visit temples to make offerings of food, incense, and flowers, seeking blessings for the year ahead. This is also when the famous Buddhist Water Festival takes place, where people offer water to monks for purification. - Traditional Games and Sports
Throughout the three-day celebration, Cambodians engage in traditional games such as angkul, a Cambodian version of tug-of-war, and lom-vong, a traditional Khmer circle dance. These games bring communities together, fostering a sense of unity and fun. - Food, Fun, and Festivities
Khmer New Year is not complete without delicious food and festivities. Traditional dishes such as amok (a fish curry), nom banh chok (rice noodles), and sweet desserts like kralanh (sticky rice) are enjoyed by families and friends. These foods symbolize good health and prosperity for the upcoming year. - The Water Festival and Sand Pagodas
On the second day, Family Day, many Cambodians participate in the tradition of building sand pagodas at local temples or in their communities. These pagodas are symbolic of the spiritual journey to the afterlife. In some regions, people also partake in water fights and splash each other as a way of cleansing and purifying themselves for the new year.
Why is Khmer New Year Important?
Khmer New Year is more than just a celebration—it’s a time for family, spirituality, and cultural preservation. It serves as a reminder of Cambodia’s rich traditions, its Buddhist roots, and the importance of community. Whether you’re joining in as a Cambodian or simply as someone curious about the celebration, Khmer New Year is an excellent way to learn about the culture, share in the festivities, and usher in the new year with hope and joy.
The Cambodian New Year 2025 promises to be a time of joy, reflection, and connection for families and communities across the globe. If you’re in Puget Sound, the region offers plenty of opportunities to join in the celebrations, whether at the neighborhood level or larger cultural events. Embrace the spirit of renewal and celebrate this beautiful holiday with love, respect, and gratitude.
