Celebrate Khmer New Year This April

Creation, charity, and cleansing: Nonotuck Resource Associates wishes our community a Happy Khmer New Year! A holiday chock full of celebration over the course of three days, Khmer new year (also known as Cambodian new year) usually begins on either April 13 or 14, and is meant to mark the end of the harvest before the rainy season in Cambodia.

Khmer New Year is based around the Khmer calendar, a lunisolar system that determines the dates of traditional festivals and religious observances in Cambodia.

This year, Khmer New Year is celebrated Saturday, April 13 to Tuesday April 16.

Each day of the celebration is built around specific themes:

Day One

Day one, ‘ known as Maha Songkran,’ is a day celebrating the creation of the world. In Khmer tradition, people clean their houses to welcome God’s angels, who created the world. Families will often place an idol of Buddha on an altar on this day.

Day Two

Day two, known as “Vanabot” or “Virak Wanabat,” is a time to think of the less fortunate. People offer charity by helping the poor, servants, and homeless. Families may go to monasteries to pay respect to their ancestors, and it is also a time for family members to exchange gifts.

Day Three

On the third day of New Year celebrations, known as “Leang Saka,” Buddhists wash and clean statues of Lord Buddha with scented water to ensure that Cambodia receives all the water it needs in the coming year. Another tradition is for children to bathe their parents and grandparents in return for blessing and good advice for the future.

Send us all the ways you celebrated, whether it be pictures, videos, or any media, and we will share on social media!

Email Joshua Murray (murray@nonotuck.com).

Khmer New Year Events

April 12

Annual Cambodian Flag Raising at the Lowell City Hall

Join CMAA, the City of Lowell, Lowell Community Charter Public School, and Lowell Public Schools in raising the Cambodian flag in recognition of the Cambodian community in Greater Lowell!

This event will be held at the Lowell City Hall at 10am, and will be streamed live on LTC channel 6 for those who cannot make it in person.

Come kick off Khmer New Year with us during the month of April!

April 20

Cambodian New Year Celebration

Join CMAA and community partners on April 20 for our annual community event celebrating the Cambodian New Year at the Lowell Senior Center from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event will feature delicious Khmer food, beautiful traditional outfits, and live performances of Cambodian folk dance.

The events are free and open to the public. Everyone is urged to join, relish the cuisine, engage in the celebrations, and discover more about Cambodian culture. Those who wish to support CMAA can visit one.bidpal.net/LOWELLKNY24 to make a donation or learn more.

For more info/, contact Nich Chea at nchea@cmaalowell.org or call (351) 500-6454.

Khmer New Year Parade at the Lowell Senior Center

12:30 p.m.

We are excited to invite you to be part of the Khmer New Year Parade that will be traveling through the Lowell Highlands!

Lowell Senior Center to Clemente Park (Pailin Park)

Below is how you can take part in this event:

1. If you have a Cambodian flag, present it in front of your house to be a part of Khmer New Year month.

*CMAA is giving away small Cambodian flags, which can be picked up at our office.

2. Our parade may interrupt your traffic, so we thank you for your understanding!

3. Watch the parade live on our Facebook Page

Khmer New Year Celebration at the Clemente (Pailin) Park

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

This event will be hosted by the Clemente Park Committee

Facebook Event: Click here for KNY Pailin Park Page

April 27

2024 Khmer New Year Community Fair

10-5 p.m.

The Kakrona Center is holding their annual Khmer New Year Celebration on Lynn Common on April 27 from 10am-5pm, with a rain date of May 4th. The event will start with a parade, more details TBA.

They will have vendors, performances, live music, prizes, games, and-for the first time-food trucks.