Happy Khmer New Year 2025!

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 Monday April 14 to Wednesday 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).

Enjoy Khmer New Year in Massachusetts with these events:

Events

April 18, 2025 – Friday

2025 Khmer New Year Blessing Ceremony
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: 465 School St, Lowell, MA

April 19, 2025 – Saturday

Khmer New Year Celebration
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Roberto Clemente Park, Washington Park, 747 Middlesex St, Lowell, MA

2025 Khmer New Year Parade
Time: 4:30 PM
Location: 465 School St, Lowell, MA

April 26, 2025 – Saturday

2025 Khmer New Year Festival

Time: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm

Location: Lynn Commons, Lynn, MA

Join us for a vibrant day filled with delicious food, traditional music, cultural performances, contests, raffles, games, and so much more. This is a family-friendly event open to everyone in the community!