Thousands Celebrate Khmer Culture at 17th Annual Cambodia Town Parade and Festival in Long Beach

Long Beach, CA – April 6, 2025 — By Ken Heang

The streets of Long Beach came alive yesterday as thousands gathered to celebrate the 17th annual Cambodia Town Parade and Cultural Festival, one of the city’s most vibrant and unifying community events.

This year’s celebration introduced a new parade route and festival location, but maintained the heart of what has made the event beloved since its inception in 2005—community pride, cultural celebration, and a joyful spirit of unity.

The festivities began at 9 a.m. with a traditional interfaith blessing on Anaheim Street, just in front of MacArthur Park. From there, the colorful parade made its way down Anaheim Street and Alamitos Avenue, featuring traditional dancers, community organizations, marching bands, and dignitaries representing Long Beach’s diverse population.

The parade concluded at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus, where the cultural festival officially kicked off. Attendees were treated to an array of live performances, local Khmer artisans, family-friendly games, and a wide variety of Cambodian food vendors.

“We have all kinds of Cambodian food. We welcome people to walk around and try it all,” said Cambodia Town board member Richer San. “Along with peace, this event also allows us to promote our community, welcoming people into it. We love seeing people going into our restaurants and shops along the Anaheim corridor.”

Originally founded to celebrate the Cambodian New Year and unify Long Beach’s Cambodian community—the largest outside of Southeast Asia—the parade has since grown into a multicultural event that highlights the city’s rich diversity. In 2007, Long Beach formally recognized this heritage by naming a 1.2-mile stretch of Anaheim Street “Cambodia Town.”

Yesterday’s event served not only as a joyous celebration of Khmer culture, but also as a reminder of the resilience, pride, and contributions of the Cambodian-American community in Long Beach.

The Cambodia Town Parade and Cultural Festival continues to be a cornerstone event, honoring tradition while inviting people from all backgrounds to share in the beauty of Cambodian culture.