Khmer festival at the temple · April
Choul Chnam Thmey is the Khmer New Year: three days of blessings, merit-making, games, music and shared food. Each April our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa (Stittsville) gathers families from across the region to welcome the new year together.
Choul Chnam Thmey
បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរChoul Chnam Thmey (ចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី, “entering the new year”) marks the end of the harvest season and the start of the Khmer year. It falls in mid-April, and in Cambodia it is celebrated over three official days; in 2026 these were April 14–16.
Traditionally each day has its own meaning. Maha Sangkran, the first day, is for cleaning and decorating the home, welcoming the new year and making offerings at the temple. Virak Vanabat, the second day, is a day for giving: gifts for parents and elders and help for those in need. Vearak Loeng Sak, the third day, is when Buddha statues and elders are honoured with scented water, and families ask for blessings and forgiveness.
At Watt Ratanakpratib
The temple usually holds its own Khmer New Year celebration on the weekend nearest the official days, as it did on April 11–12 in 2026. Families, elders and children come together for:
Traditional customs of the season, which you may see families observe at the temple, include building sand stupas, pouring scented water over Buddha statues and elders as a blessing, and offering food to the monks. The programme and times for each year are shared on our events page and on Facebook.
When
ពេលវេលាThe 2026 date is from the temple’s official events list. The temple has not yet announced its 2027 celebration. The official days usually fall in mid-April; the temple confirms its own date once its yearly list is published, and this page will be updated.
Apr 11 – 12, 2026
Merit-making, blessings, traditional games, music and food to welcome the new year. The official days are in mid-April; the temple usually holds its celebration on the weekend nearest to them, as it did on April 11–12 in 2026.
Apr 14 – 16, 2027 · Official days; the temple celebration is usually the nearest weekend
The official days of Khmer New Year are in mid-April. The temple usually holds its main celebration on the weekend nearest to them, so its own dates will be confirmed once the 2027 list is published.
សូមអញ្ជើញមកចូលរួមបុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរនៅវត្តរតនប្រទីប ក្រុងអូតាវ៉ា
Before you come
Nothing more is expected of you than respect and an open heart. See our visit page for directions and parking, and visiting with respect for simple customs.
The temple is at 5883 Hazeldean Road, Stittsville, Ottawa, with a free on-site parking lot. On big festival days it fills early, so please arrive early or carpool with other families.
Through the Khmer year
បុណ្យប្រពៃណីExplore more of the Khmer calendar at our temple, or see every date on the events calendar.
One full-moon day honouring the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away.
Read the guide
Fifteen days of remembering ancestors with food and merit offered to the monks.
Read the guide
The yearly robe-offering ceremony after the Rains Retreat, held in harmony by the community.
Read the guideEveryone is welcome at our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa, whether you are Khmer, Buddhist, a neighbour or simply curious. Festivals are made by many hands, so if you would like to help in the kitchen, with parking or with setup, we would love to hear from you.
