Siem Reap events & things to do in December 2026
Start with APOPO Visitor Center, Old Market and Pub Street, plus Artisans Angkor. December in Siem Reap averages 30°C / 86°F highs, 22°C / 71°F nights, and about 2 rainy days.
Expect 30°C/86°F days and about 2 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- APOPO Visitor Center★ 4.9 · 1.9k reviewsThe center explains the mine-detection rats used in Cambodian demining work, with demonstrations and context for the landmine problem around the…
- Old Market and Pub Street★ 4.4 · 7.1k reviewsPsar Chaa sells fruit, spices, souvenirs, and food stalls beside Pub Street bars and restaurants.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Siem Reap in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
86°F / 71°F
29.8°C / 21.8°C
RainPrecipitation
2d
0.7in · 17mm
LightDaylight
11.2h
December is dry and peak season, with comfortable mornings and crowded sunrise spots.
Holidays, observances & long weekends
- Dec 26-Dec 29Long weekend with bridge day
About Siem Reap
City overview
Siem Reap is the Cambodian base for Angkor Archaeological Park, with the Siem Reap River, Old Market, Pub Street, Wat Bo, and Kandal Village forming the city map after temple hours. The city itself adds Khmer performance, Angkor National Museum, craft workshops, and Tonlé Sap village access, so a good route alternates Angkor mornings with Old Market, Wat Bo, and river evenings.
Food & drink
Siem Reap food is gentler than Thai spice but still specific: fish amok is a coconut-curry custard often steamed in banana leaves, bai sach chrouk is grilled pork over rice, and num banh chok is rice noodles with herb-rich fish gravy. Old Market stalls, Wat Bo Road restaurants, Pub Street kitchens, Road 60 vendors, and Sombai workshops add beef lok lak, kuy teav, Khmer curry, palm-sugar sweets, and green mango salad.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Artisans Angkor
- 2Angkor Wat
- 3Angkor Thom and Bayon
- 4Ta Prohm
- 5Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- 6Wat Bo
- 7Angkor National Museum
- 8War Museum Cambodia
1Artisans Angkor
4.4★ · 2,867outdoorOpen dailyThe craft workshop teaches stone carving, lacquerware, silk painting, and woodwork in a town where temple tourism supports many craft businesses.
Wikipedia
2Angkor Wat
4.8★ · 43,054indoorThe 12th-century temple built under Suryavarman II is the Angkor headline, with sunrise views across the moat, long bas-relief galleries, and the central towers north of Siem Reap.
Wikipedia
3Angkor Thom and Bayon
4.8★ · 14,480indoorOpen dailyJayavarman VII walled capital holds Bayon face towers, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, and gates reached on the main Angkor loop.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Ta Prohm
- 5Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- 6Wat Bo
Neighborhoods
1Old Market and Pub Street
This is the busiest visitor core, with Psar Chaa, Pub Street, night-market lanes, bars, souvenir stalls, and tuk-tuk queues beside the river.
2Wat Bo Village
Wat Bo is calmer and restaurant-heavy, with the pagoda, small hotels, cafes, guesthouses, and local streets east of the Siem Reap River.
3Kandal Village
Kandal Village is compact and design-minded, with coffee shops, boutiques, Common Grounds, galleries, and walkable lanes north of the Old Market.
Day trips
37km / 50-60min by tuk-tuk or car from Old Market
Banteay Srei
The pink-sandstone temple has unusually detailed carvings and works best as a morning extension from the Angkor pass route.
30km / 45min by car plus boat from central Siem Reap
Kampong Phluk and Tonlé Sap
The stilt village and flooded forest show Tonlé Sap seasonal water levels, with the most dramatic lake scenery during high water.
50km / 1.5-2h by car from Siem Reap
Phnom Kulen
The mountain has waterfalls, riverbed carvings, temples, and picnic areas tied to Khmer history outside the main Angkor complex.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks, remorks, taxis, bicycles, and hotel cars handle most movement, with temple circuits usually priced by small loop, grand loop, or day rate. Buy the Angkor pass before temple touring and group Old Market-Wat Bo-Kandal Village on foot after dark.
Planning a Siem Reap trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Siem Reap in December
- What to pack for Siem Reap in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Siem Reap checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 30°C / 86°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 22°C / 71°F.
- Sun protection and comfortable walking shoes; rain is usually limited this month.
- How many days do you need in Siem Reap
- 4 days covers the main Siem Reap highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Siem Reap worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Siem Reap averages 30°C / 86°F highs, 22°C / 71°F nights, and about 2 rainy days.
Ready to plan Siem Reap?
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