A Weekend of Culture: From Kites to Giant Glowing Puppets
Sometimes Siem Reap just decides to stack up the experiences and hand them to you back to back. The day before, I'd been at the Siem Reap Kite Festival getting humbled by local kids who could fly a $2.50 paper kite better than I ever will. Now, on Saturday evening, February 21st, the city had something even bigger in store — the Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade.
This annual event has been lighting up the streets of Siem Reap since 2007, when it started as a small community arts project. It's grown into Cambodia's largest children's community arts initiative, and this year's edition — themed "The Wild Parade!" — celebrated Cambodia's extraordinary wildlife through eight massive, glowing puppets crafted entirely by local kids. I'd been looking forward to this one ever since I heard about it, and when evening rolled around, I headed out to catch the start.
Organized Chaos at the Starting Line
The parade kicked off from Wat Damnak, one of Siem Reap's prominent pagodas, around 6:30 in the evening. Getting there early was the right call, but "early" is a relative term when half the city shows up to the same spot. The scene at the starting point was controlled chaos — a crush of spectators, performers, children in costume, and massive puppet structures all jockeying for position in a space that suddenly felt very small.
People were shoulder to shoulder trying to get a good vantage point. Kids weaved between legs. Puppet handlers maneuvered their giant creations into formation. The energy was electric — that buzzing anticipation you get right before something big kicks off. Organizers estimated up to 20,000 spectators would line the streets, and standing there in that crowd, I believed it.
Then the fanfare started. A small circus act performed in front of the parade — a nod to the event's deep connection with Phare Ponleu Selpak, the renowned Battambang-based arts organization whose visual arts graduates guide the children through the entire puppet-building process. A man on stilts towered above the crowd. Horns blared. And just like that, the Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade was underway.
The Dove of Peace Leads the Charge
Leading the entire procession was the centerpiece of this year's parade — a giant white Dove of Peace with wings that actually flapped as it moved down the street. Glowing from within, this thing was massive, and the symbolism was impossible to miss. Peace and unity at the front, with all of Cambodia's wildlife following behind. Strong opening statement.
Behind the dove came a cavalcade of kids playing these small kazoo-type instruments — the kind you blow into while pressing keys to play notes. Hundreds of them, all dressed up and marching with genuine excitement. The sound was joyful and slightly chaotic in the best possible way. You could tell these kids had been practicing, but they were also just having the time of their lives.
Then came the main event — the puppets themselves. Eight giant illuminated creatures parading through the streets of Siem Reap, each one built from rattan, bamboo, tissue paper, and glue by hundreds of children from local schools and NGOs. These kids had spent weeks in workshops at Wat Damnak designing and constructing these things under the guidance of professional artists. The craftsmanship was seriously impressive for work done primarily by young hands.
Eight Wild Creatures Light Up the Siem Reap Streets
This year's Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade theme — "The Wild Parade!" — put Cambodia's wildlife front and center. Each puppet represented a species found in the country, from iconic animals to rare and endangered ones. The full lineup included a dove, hog deer, hairy-nosed otter, Asian elephant, gibbon, great hornbill, bent-toed gecko, and a lightning bug.
The great hornbill was my personal favorite. This thing was wild — a massive blue glowing bird that looked almost otherworldly against the darkening sky. The design was ambitious and the execution was clean. The only problem was trying to photograph it. The intense blue glow absolutely blew out the camera sensors in the low light, turning every shot into a washed-out mess. Get it? Blew out? The hornbill blew out the sensors? I'll see myself out.
The Asian elephant was a giant pink creation that commanded attention simply through its sheer size. The gibbon — which I initially pegged as an orange monkey with absurdly long arms — swung through the crowd with its handlers working the limbs. Then there was the bent-toed gecko, a massive green creature whose unwieldy tail nearly slapped me in the face as it passed. I was standing maybe a bit too close to the parade route on that one. Lesson learned.
Some of these puppets stretched between four meters and considerably higher, all lit from within so they glowed like lanterns against the night sky. The effect was stunning. Each one told a story about Cambodia's natural heritage, and the conservation message was woven into every creation without being heavy-handed about it.
Following the Parade Through Siem Reap
The parade route snaked from Wat Damnak along the river, winding through the heart of Siem Reap before eventually concluding at the Royal Gardens near the city center. The whole procession took a couple of hours to complete its route, and I made the decision to follow it on foot rather than stake out one viewing spot.
After the last puppet tail passed me at my initial position, I walked ahead and tried to keep leapfrogging the parade — getting in front, watching it approach, then moving ahead again. This gave me multiple angles and perspectives on the whole thing, which was great for the experience but brutal on the feet.
The route along the river was particularly striking. The puppet glow reflecting off the water, the crowds lining both sides of the street, kids running alongside the procession — it was one of those scenes that makes you stop and take stock of where you are and what you're doing with your life. Here I am, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, watching giant glowing animals built by children parade through ancient streets. Not a bad Saturday night.
I'll be honest though — today my feet are paying the price. My sandals had a small rim on the heel that I didn't notice was digging in during the walk. By the time I got home, the damage was done. Sometimes that's the cost of a good experience. You trade a little physical comfort for something that stays with you a lot longer than the blister does.
Built by Kids, and That's What Makes It Special
Here's the thing that hit me hardest about the Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade — all of these puppets were made by children. Not professional artists. Not adult craftsmen. Kids from local schools and NGOs who spent weeks in workshops learning how to design, build, and illuminate these massive structures.
The artist team guiding them comes from Phare Ponleu Selpak's Visual Arts School in Battambang — an organization with deep roots in empowering Cambodian youth through arts education. The whole project is designed to build confidence, encourage self-expression, foster teamwork, and instill pride in Cambodia's cultural and natural heritage. And honestly, it works. You can see it in those kids' faces as they march down the street carrying something they built with their own hands.
I couldn't help but think back to my own circus days running The Imperial OPA. We used to build giant puppets too — big parade structures on PVC pipe frames that we'd heat-bend into shape. Looking at these Cambodian creations made from rattan, bamboo, and papier-mâché, I have to admit their material choices were probably smarter than ours. Lighter, more flexible, more forgiving. Hindsight and all that.
After the parade concluded at the Royal Gardens, the puppets were put on display for the public to admire up close. According to organizers, they'll remain on display for several days before being exhibited at sponsor locations around the city and even at children's hospitals, where they continue to inspire long after the parade night fades.
More Than a Parade: The History Behind the Puppets
The Giant Puppet Project was co-founded in 2007 by Siem Reap-based architect Stuart Cochlin and UK community artist Jig Cochrane. What started as a small puppet-making workshop for local kids has grown into one of Southeast Asia's biggest children's arts events. In its early years, only about 200 people lined the streets to watch. By 2017, that number had swelled to over 20,000.
The project took a break in 2018 and was disrupted again by Covid in 2020 and 2021, but it's come roaring back in recent years. The connection with Phare Ponleu Selpak — founded in 1994 by Cambodian refugees to empower vulnerable children through education and arts — gives the project a backbone of genuine social impact that goes way beyond putting on a pretty show.
Each year brings a new theme. Previous editions have explored road safety, endangered species, hygiene, and Cambodian mythology. The 2025 parade featured nine puppets based on mythological figures including Garuda, Ganesha, and Hanuman. This year's wildlife theme felt especially relevant given the growing conversation around conservation in Cambodia. It's educational without being preachy, which is exactly how you get a message across to both kids and adults.
The Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade happens on the last Saturday of February each year, so if you're planning a trip to Cambodia around that time, put this on your calendar. It's free, it's spectacular, and it's the kind of authentic community event that most tourists never even hear about.
What Living in Siem Reap Actually Feels Like
Weekends like this one — a kite festival on Friday, a Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade on Saturday — are exactly why I chose to base myself here. The city has this unique quality of feeling both big and small at the same time. Big enough to have world-class events and a diverse international community. Small enough that you bump into friends on the street and hear about happenings through word of mouth and Facebook ads.
The mellow pace of life here suits me. There's no rush. Events unfold naturally, and you show up when you show up. The community is tight-knit — expats and locals mixing at these cultural events without any pretense or separation. It's the kind of place where a random Saturday night can turn into something you'll remember for years.
I will say though — I'm starting to think about the upcoming rainy season. Right now, in the dry season, there's no shortage of outdoor activities and cultural events. But I wonder how much of that slows down when the rains arrive. Will the festivals keep coming, or does everything shift indoors? It's a genuine question from someone who's still figuring out the rhythms of this place.
For now, I'm soaking up every outdoor event I can find and staying curious about what's happening next weekend. If the past two days are any indication, Siem Reap has plenty more to offer. The key is just saying yes and showing up.
Getting There and What to Know for Next Year
If you want to catch the Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade next year, here's the practical rundown. The parade takes place on the last Saturday of February, starting around 6:00-6:30 PM from Wat Damnak. The route winds along the river through central Siem Reap and finishes at the Royal Gardens.
Get there early if you want a good viewing spot near the starting point — it gets packed fast. Alternatively, find a spot along the river route where crowds thin out slightly and you get the bonus of the puppets reflecting off the water. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to follow the parade on foot. Trust me on this one. My heels are still reminding me.
The event is completely free. No tickets, no entrance fees. Bring cash for food and drinks from street vendors along the route. A tuk-tuk to Wat Damnak from most areas in central Siem Reap will cost you a dollar or two. For more on navigating the city, check out our guide to getting around Cambodia.
After the parade, the puppets remain on display at the Royal Gardens for several days. If you miss the parade itself, you can still check out the creations up close — though you'll miss the magic of seeing them glow and move through the streets at night.
Pro tip: Follow the Giant Puppet Project on Facebook for announcements on dates and themes. They also run children's workshops in the weeks leading up to the parade where kids can join in making hand-held decorations to carry during the procession.
Puppets, Community, and the Kind of Night You Can't Plan
The Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade was one of those experiences that exceeded expectations in every way. I showed up expecting a decent evening out and walked away genuinely moved by the creativity, the community spirit, and the sheer ambition of what these kids pulled off.
Giant glowing wildlife parading through ancient streets. Children playing instruments and marching with pride. A city coming together on a Saturday night for something that costs nothing but gives back everything. This is the Siem Reap that doesn't make the tourism brochures but absolutely should.
Between the kite festival and this parade, I'm convinced that February is the month to be in this city. The dry season brings out the best of the cultural calendar, and these community events provide the kind of authentic experiences that no temple tour can replicate. If you're planning a trip to Cambodia, time it right and you'll see a side of this country that most visitors miss entirely.
Have you ever seen a giant puppet parade? Or built something massive out of papier-mâché and bamboo? I'd love to hear about it — drop a comment and let me know what you think about this kind of community art.