Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap
Overview
Mobile ticket
Phare Circus is more than a conventional acrobatic circus. The artists create and perform stories based on their own life experiences. Drawing from recent history, folklore and modern society, the artists blend drama, dance, live music and circus arts to share a part of their lives with audiences.
The performers come from unimaginably difficult social and economic background. They discover and develop their skills at Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. They are able to earn a good living and transform their lives at Phare Circus, breaking the cycle of poverty.
By attending a Phare Circus show, you enjoy Siem Reap's best live entertainment, financially support the school and provide opportunities for Cambodian artists.
Choose the Phare Insider options for show tickets plus an exclusive guided backstage tour.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Seating begins at 30 minutes prior to scheduled showtime. No entrance permitted once the show has started.
Refunds or changes must be made 1-day in advance.
Late arrivals may be re-accommodated to another day if space is available. No refund for late arrivals.
Travelers who require wheelchairs are to inform us in advance for prior arrangements.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Experience Cambodia's most unique, authentic live entertainment by the graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. Phare is more than a conventional acrobatic circus. Performers use theater, live music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The artists create the stories themselves based on the real-life experiences of themselves and their families. Expect the unexpected. NOTE: Phare Insider guests should arrive by 6:15pm for the backstage visit to the artist, technician and costume work areas.
What‘s Included
Siem Reap's most original, authentic live performance.
Choose Phare Insider options for tickets + backstage visit to artist, technician, costume work areas
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drink available for purchase during free pre-show entertainment
Meeting points
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Intersection of Ring Road and Sok San Road Siem Reap Cambodia
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
Phare Insider Seat B - 6:15pm
Backstage tour
Tickets in Section B seating
Soft drink or domestic beer
Preferred Open (B) - 8:00pm
Section B includes open seating in the rear half of the middle seating area.
Open Seating (C) - 8:00pm
Open seating along both sides of the stage. View for some seats may be partially obstructed due to tent supports.
Phare Insider Seat A - 6:15pm
Backstage tour
Tickets for Section A seating
Soft drink or domestic beer
Preferred Reserve (A) - 8:00pm
Reserved seating in the front half of the middle seating area including a refillable sports bottle filled with cool water.
Phare Insider Seat C - 6:15pm
Backstage tour
Tickets in Section C seating
Soft drink or domestic beer
Reviews
1,980 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Skip the food and enjoy the show!
166dl,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Food/Beverage before: (2 stars) A rather chaotic process of exchanging $ bills for $ tokens which are then used to buy food/drink from a collection of stalls. Food is predominantly cooked to order (Good!) but results in confused groups of people waiting for food (no tickets are issued) Bad! Tokens can be exchanged back to $, but at the end of the show, the stall is closed. Very Bad! The Show: (4 Stars) The “circus” was a human acrobatic show based on a bar and the characters that frequent it. Accompanied by a “rock” band which blended local sounds with more mainstream music, the show was a collection of tumbles, tricks, juggles which were well executed and fun to watch. The show lasts about 70 minutes and there is a chance to meet the performers after.
Great visit
DarrenandCaroline,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent evening out in Siem Reap at this circus. We had the set meal which was great, and the acrobats in the show were highly talented and skilled. Totally recommend a visit and nice to support the local community. Picked up some lovely locally crafted souvenirs in the gift shop.
Entertaining show
967jamiek,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I joined the experience solo. Got my on ride there. The spectator stands for the show were packed...mostly from tour buses. The performance told a story about how local Cambodians prayed for rain as the weather there is very hot year round. This story line was contrasted to how visitors felt when they arrived during the months of rain (considering it more of a nuisance to their plans). The act involved acrobatics, juggling and other physical gymnastics. I felt like the performers did an overall entertaining/great job and worth it was worth the cost.
Skilled athletes with whimsical fun!
Shirley V,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful fun evening! Worth every penny ! Children and adults both enjoyed
Worth a visit if you have a spare night in Siem Reap
Michelle H,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Diverse food, drink options pre-show. The tent is quite hot despite fans, seats are quite uncomfortable if tall but show was enjoyable. Funny, talented performance
Awesome experience with very talented performers telling a story from Cambodia.
michele b,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The whole evening was fabulous. We had a 3 course meal - chicken and mango patty to start, steamed fish and rice with sweet & sour sauce for main and mung bean with tapioca for desert. I had a delicious monitor and my husband had beer. We were entertained by children from Phare school who told a story through dance. They performed beautifully. We were then privileged to watch an hour of hugely talented dance, drama, acrobatics, live music, painting and circus.
Great evening’s entertainment
Robert M,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a really enjoyable evening at the Phare Circus. We got there early and enjoyed some very tasty street food whilst we watched some young Cambodian children doing traditional dances. The circus was great - what really struck us was how much the performers enjoyed themselves and how they added drama to the show. Definitely worth visiting when in Siem Reap
Absolutely incredible - the best show I’ve ever seen
Aaron B,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Phare Circus was honestly one of the best live shows I have ever seen. I’m usually pretty critical and, according to my wife, not the easiest person to impress or predict… but this absolutely blew me away. From the pre-show entertainment to the main performance, the whole experience was outstanding. The pre-entertainment by the up-and-coming young artists was so good and such a great way to start the night. Then the main show just took it to another level. The talent, energy, humour, storytelling and skill of the performers were amazing from start to finish. It was entertaining, emotional, fun and genuinely unforgettable. You can see how much hard work and passion goes into every part of the performance. On top of that, the food was also really good and very reasonably priced, which made the whole night even better.
Unique local experience. ...
Mary P,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Unique local experience. High energy, Fun show. Love it supports education and culture. Drinks and food available.
Nice for my son; for us we would have skipped if we didn’t have him but that’s cause we have seen many circus shows
Angelswife,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Nice experience for kids - if it was just us adults we would have skipped it. Our son who is 5 was mesmerised. We got there at 6pm and the food choices are quite limited and pricey by Cambodian standards if you like eating street food - would advise to eat before going. Son enjoyed his burger; and we had noodles and chicken satay. $20 in total but I w was as defo still hungry. Would advise there to be also some veggie only dishes - like a portion of pak Choi for example. The show itself was nice - seating we had the cheapest tier and saw perfectly - would not have spent more. It’s 60mins and people arrived late…. So we started late. Pre show is children doing traditional dance. Around 15mins.
From US$18.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Phare The Cambodian Circus