Battambang Sangker River Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalBattambang

DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking

DurationAnnualEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival's distinguishing feature is its

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KHR

CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type

The story

Battambang Sangker River Festival in Battambang

Battambang runs its own provincial edition of Cambodia's water festival every October on the Sangker River, roughly a month ahead of the national boat races in Phnom Penh. Long-boat crews race in heats through the town center while riverside streets fill with food stalls, lantern-lit boats, and, since 2022, circus and dance performances staged by the Phare Ponleu Selpak arts school. Provincial winners advance to compete nationally.

Battambang's stretch of the Sangker River fills with dragon boats each October, about a month before Cambodia's national Bon Om Touk races take place in Phnom Penh.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The festival's distinguishing feature is its arts-school partnership: Phare Ponleu Selpak, the Battambang circus and performing-arts school that grew out of a refugee-camp arts program, stages fire performance, classical Khmer dance, and acrobatics on riverside platforms between boat heats, a pairing not found at Cambodia's other provincial water festivals

The mystery stays covered

Boat categories are split into International Standard Boats, Traditional Short Boats (three sub-classes), and Traditional Long Boats, with crews as large as 63 paddlers in a single long boat

The city starts moving

Because the event runs before Phnom Penh's national water festival, its winning crews go on to represent Battambang province at the capital's championship races

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The long-boat racing continues Cambodia's Bon Om Touk tradition tied to the Tonle Sap basin's seasonal flow reversal

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Battambang's specific addition

The sacred route

Living ritual

introduced in 2022 at the request of the provincial governor

The local code

Living ritual

is inviting performers from the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus and arts school to stage classical Khmer dance

Tradition 5

Living ritual

fire performance

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and acrobatics on the riverbank between boat races

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Battambang; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Lightweight, quick-drying clothes and sun protection (hat or umbrella) for daytime racing, since October afternoons in Battambang are hot and still within reach of late-monsoon showers...

Safety

Battambang Sangker River Festival is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Battambang, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

KHR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map13.10 N, 103.20 E Open in Google Maps

Battambang, Battambang Province, Cambodia

Nearest airportSAI — Siem Reap-Angkor

TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Battambang; closures can make normal travel slower.

Stay areaStay near workable transport in Battambang, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Battambang via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Battambang, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare fares Festival gearLightweight, quick-drying clothes and sun protection (hat or umbrella) for daytime racing, since October afternoons in Battambang are hot and still within reach of late-monsoon showers. Closed sandals or shoes with grip help on muddy or wet riverbank paths, and a light rain jacket is worth carrying in case an evening downpour hits the outdoor riverside stages.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Cambodia and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Battambang Sangker River Festival?

Battambang Sangker River Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Battambang Sangker River Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Battambang, Cambodia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Battambang, Battambang Province, Cambodia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

Listed datesDates TBA

Source statusDate announcement pending

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Battambang Sangker River Festival

Battambang Sangker River Festival in Battambang

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Battambang, Battambang Province, Cambodia

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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