December brings warm days, little rain and some of the most comfortable conditions of the year for exploring Cambodia. Christmas is not a traditional Khmer celebration, but Siem Reap’s international character means the festive season is visible across the city, while New Year’s Eve brings a noticeably livelier atmosphere. 

For couples and families, the appeal lies in the contrast: Angkor at sunrise, Khmer food, Cambodian craftsmanship and warm evenings in town rather than a conventional winter break. 

Why visit Siem Reap during the festive season?

Christmas and New Year fall during Cambodia’s dry season, generally between November and April. 

December and January are among the more comfortable months for being outdoors, with cooler mornings and lower humidity than during much of the year. That makes a real difference in Siem Reap, where temple visits, markets and much of daily life are experienced outside. 

It is also one of the most popular periods to visit. The city feels more animated, restaurants are busier and the main sites of Angkor naturally attract more travellers. 

The best approach is to plan the experiences that matter most, then leave enough space in the programme to enjoy the destination without rushing. 

Begin Christmas Day at Angkor 

For a memorable Christmas morning, sunrise at Angkor Wat is difficult to match. 

Arrive before dawn, then stay after the sun has risen. Once the first wave of visitors begins to move on, the galleries, courtyards and bas-reliefs can be explored at a slower pace. 

December’s cooler mornings make this a particularly pleasant time of year to spend longer at Angkor. 

The rest of the day can remain deliberately light: a late breakfast, time by the pool or at the spa, followed by a longer dinner in the evening. 

Look for Cambodian-made gifts 

The days before Christmas are a good time to explore Siem Reap’s craft scene. 

At Artisans Angkor, Cambodian craftspeople continue to work with traditional skills including stone and wood carving, lacquer and silk. 

Made in Cambodia Market is another worthwhile stop for locally produced craft and design, while Psar Chas, the Old Market, offers a more traditional market atmosphere in the centre of town. 

Textiles, ceramics, jewellery and decorative objects made in Cambodia also make more distinctive gifts than conventional souvenirs. 

Enjoy the days between Christmas and New Year The days between the two celebrations are well suited to a slower rhythm.

Alternate major temple visits with time around Wat Bo, the river and central Siem Reap. Browse local shops, stop for lunch, book a spa treatment or spend an evening discovering traditional Khmer dance at the Apsara Theatre. 

Welcome the New Year in Siem Reap 

New Year’s Eve brings a different energy to the city. 

The streets around the Old Market and Pub Street become the liveliest part of central Siem Reap, with restaurants, bars and visitors gathering as midnight approaches. Previous New Year celebrations in the city have included countdown events, entertainment and festivities around the centre. 

There is no need to spend the entire evening in the busiest streets. A long dinner followed by a walk into the centre later in the evening can offer the festive atmosphere without making Pub Street the focus of the night. 

Wat Bo provides a useful contrast, remaining close to the centre while offering a calmer setting once the celebrations begin to wind down. 

Book the festive season early 

Christmas and New Year coincide with one of Siem Reap’s busiest travel periods. 

Accommodation, private temple guides, restaurants, spa appointments and cultural performances can all become harder to secure as the festive season approaches. 

For Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027, booking the key elements of the stay early leaves far more freedom once in Siem Reap. 

The appeal of spending the festive season here is precisely that it feels different: warm mornings at Angkor, Khmer food, Cambodian craftsmanship and lively evenings in town, with enough time to slow down between them. 

Angkor Village Hotel is particularly well suited to a festive-season stay in Siem Reap. Set in the quieter Wat Bo quarter, it keeps the temples and city centre within easy reach while offering a more peaceful setting to return to between outings. For couples and families alike, it creates the right balance for Christmas and New Year: cultural days, unhurried evenings and time to enjoy the celebrations at a slower pace.