Khmer traditions, music, dance and cuisine were on full display at the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival on Saturday, April 4, in Long Beach.
The opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Children serve lemonade as the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The18th annual Cambodia Town Parade kicks off with confetti poppers on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, mayor Rex Richardson and his wife Dr. Nina Nieves Richardson participate in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Members of the Cambodian Association of America participate in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade as it travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Richenny Bovannak helps her sister Richtevy Bovannak with her headpiece during the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Eleven-year-old Jorani Ros watches as the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Buddhist monks lead a prayer during the opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Members of TCC Family Health walk in the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Hmong Association of Long Beach performs during the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade as it travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Members of the Cambodian Association of America wave to attendees of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade travels north on Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Show Caption
1 of 14
The opening ceremony of the 18th annual Cambodia Town Parade on Anaheim St. in Long Beach on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Hundreds of people converged along city streets to celebrate the Southeast Asian country’s new year, culture and heritage.
This year’s theme, “Peace Through Culture: Celebrating Unity Through Diversity,” offered a reminder that Long Beach is stronger when its many parts come together, organizers said.
“This year’s theme speaks to the heart of who we are,” Sithea San, chair of Cambodia Town, which organizes the event each year, said during opening remarks. “It honors the resilience of the Cambodian community, our shared heritage and the beautiful tapestry of culture, and that makes Long Beach one of the most vibrant cities in America.
“For over 18 years, Cambodia Town has stood as a beacon of Khmer heritage, the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia, and the first Cambodia Town on Google Maps – I mention that every year,” San said. “Today, we celebrate our culture, unity and strength that binds us together.”
The event kicked off with remarks from local elected officials and an interfaith program and traditional blessing. The crowd of people continued to grow, many wearing traditional Cambodian attire, as they got closer to watch.
“It’s such a treat to come out every single year to celebrate with our dedicated Cambodian community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson during the event.
Officials also announced that the city has a final concept of the Cambodian Town gateway entrance, which will be installed near MacArthur Park, before the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“I want to make sure that we know in unity that we advocate not just for our neighbors here in Long Beach but for peace across the United States and around the world, including Cambodia,” Councilmember Suely Saro said. “Our voice does not stop at our borders, we stand in solidarity with those seeking peace and justice, dignity and freedom everywhere. This is how Cambodia Town has grown to what it is today, and that is how we will continue to move forward – in unity.”
The parade began at the intersection of Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue and traveled through the heart of Cambodia Town – a roughly one-mile stretch of Anaheim Street between Atlantic and Junipero avenues.
The parade showcased traditional Khmer dance, music, costumes and community floats. The final destination for hundreds was Long Beach City College’s Trades, Technology and Community Learning Campus, where the Culture Festival got underway.
For Christina Sem, 36, from Oakland, it was her first time participating in the parade. She wore a Cambodian silk fabric, and a scarf with a Romduol — the national flower of Cambodia with deep ties to Khmer heritage and ancient temple culture.
“We’re doing Chhayan, a traditional Khmer musical dance,” she said, who brought her two sons and fiancé to be part of the parade as well. “It’s my first time and I want them to experience it as well, and to actually know the culture. Because I feel like as of right now, our culture is fading and I want the next generation to keep it going.”
For some revelers, this was their first time at the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival, for others this event has become a family tradition.
Julie Duch, 34, from Los Angeles, wore her Cambodian traditional wear to attend the parade for the first time.
“It’s never something that I was able to do as a child, so it actually feels really nice to reconnect with my culture by doing something like this,” Duch said. “I’m proud and happy to be here.”
Something about Cambodian culture that Duch said more people should know about is how hospitable Cambodians are.
“I was lucky to visit Cambodia recently for the first time and everyone there is just so welcoming,” she said. “They literally treat you like family and I think that’s one of the biggest things about our culture is that immediately your family.”
The Cambodian and entire Long Beach community coming together is one of the things that Sao Chan Kry, 43, from Long Beach, looks forward to every year.
“Long Beach is a melting pot,” Chan Kry said. “I recommend others to share our culture, get to know our culture, and understand why we’re here, because we’re the second largest Cambodian community outside of our homeland.”
People attending the festival had the opportunity to learn more about Cambodian art and cuisine, as well as watch live performances, from dances to singers.
Long Beach resident Kim Sin, 33, said her favorite part about the parade and festival is getting to see everyone come together to celebrate Cambodian New Year.
“It’s kind of nice to have this to highlight our culture,” Sin said. “I feel like Cambodians are not as known compared to other Southeast Asian countries, so it’s nice to be able to have a place to celebrate our culture.”
Sin recommends that everyone come out to the event that is cherished year after year.
“You can get a feel of our community, not just Cambodian New Year but Long Beach as a whole and its diversity,” she said. “If anybody does decide to come out, there’s always a place for everyone.”