Why You Shouldn’t Miss Phare, the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap (2025 Guide)
When you think of Siem Reap, your mind probably jumps straight to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Fair enough – they’re definitely iconic! But after a few days of visiting the beautiful temples in Siem Reap, even the most enthusiastic traveler starts craving something a bit different. That’s where Phare Circus comes in. If you’re looking for something fun, culturally rich, and genuinely unforgettable, this is one show you won’t want to miss. Not to mention – every ticket you buy goes towards supporting a fantastic cause.
What Exactly Is Phare Circus?
First things first: this isn’t what you’re picturing in your mind when you hear the word ‘circus‘. There are no poorly treated animals jumping through hoops or clowns in tiny cars. Phare Circus is more like a high-energy fusion of theatre, dance, acrobatics, music, and storytelling. A genuinely incredible experience filled with Khmer culture and the visual arts.
If you’ve ever heard of Cirque du Soleil, you’ll have a rough idea of what to expect – stunning performances with gravity-defying acrobatics and powerful storytelling. But where Cirque du Soleil is a polished global brand, Phare Circus brings something far more raw, intimate, and heartfelt. It’s infused with Cambodian culture, history, and real-life stories performed by young artists who trained through the social arts school at Phare Ponleu Selpak. It feels less like a spectacle and more like a deeply personal experience that will give you a new appreciation for Cambodia’s place in the world of performance.
The performers at Phare Circus are all graduates (or students) of Phare Ponleu Selpak, an arts school based in Battambang, Cambodia. Many of them come from challenging backgrounds, and the school provides free education and professional arts training. So when you buy a ticket, you’re not just seeing a show – you’re also supporting a social enterprise that empowers Cambodian youth through the arts.
What Makes It So Special?
Each show tells a different story, often rooted in Cambodian history, folk tales, or modern-day issues. One night you might watch a provoking performance about life under the Khmer Rouge – like the tale in “Sokha” – and the next it could be a playful comedy with wild acrobatics exploring the cultural differences and interactions between Cambodians and foreigners like the brilliant story in “Same Same But Different”. The performances change frequently and to see the current schedule you can visit the Phare Circus website (listed below).
This probably goes without saying but the performers are insanely talented. Their gravity-defying flips, contortion, powerful acting, and the kind of energy that hits you in the chest will leave you in awe of what humans can actually do! The tales are told through physical performance so it’s completely accessible no matter where you’re from or what language you speak.
Phare Circus is also small and intimate which is what makes the experience feel so special. The big top holds around 300 people, so you’re close to the action wherever you sit. There’s honestly not a bad seat in the house! This is also why we recommend booking your ticket in advance during the busy months of the year.
Showtimes, Tickets, and Practical Info
Show Schedule:
Phare Circus Siem Reap typically runs nightly performances at 8:00 PM, and though it’s unlikely, the schedule could vary slightly depending on the season or delays. It’s best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date info. Each performance lasts roughly 1 hour and is followed by the opportunity to meet the performers and take photos!
Ticket Prices (as of 2025):
Section A: From $38 USD for adults and $18 for children under 12
Section B: From $28 USD for adults and $15 for children under 12
Section C: From $18 USD for adults and $10 for children under 12
Prices vary depending on the seat location. Section A gets you front and center, but trust us, even Section C offers a great view. See the image below for a seating chart!
Location:
The Phare Circus big top is just a few minutes from the center of Siem Reap (around 2km), near the end of Sok San Road. It’s easy to get to by tuk tuk, bike, or on foot if you’re staying nearby as there are several hotels in the area. A tuktuk from the Pub Street area should only cost a couple of dollars – for simplicity we recommend you use one of the common ride hailing apps in Cambodia like Grab or PassApp if you don’t already have a regular tuktuk driver taking you around town! If you don’t have a tuktuk to take you home, there will be drivers waiting outside the venue at the end of the night.
Booking:
You can book in advance (recommended in high season), or buy tickets at the venue directly on the day. You can place online bookings on the Phare, The Cambodian Circus website (linked below) which also let you choose your seat. If you’d prefer, most hotels, tour guides, or travel agents in town can also book tickets for Phare Circus Siem Reap – this is actually a good, easy way to support them as they’ll likely receive a small commission!
Insider Tips for the Best Experience
Arrive Early: Whilst the performances start at 8, doors open for the evening experience at 5:30pm. We recommend arriving early because there’s more to the venue than the amazing performances that happen in the big top. Grab some incredible food at the Phare Cafe and enjoy some great traditional Cambodian street food (not included in ticket price) and then check out the Phare Boutique for some shopping and souvenirs! Vegetarian options are available at the Phare Cafe and you can contact them in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
We recommend arriving no later than 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the show.
Support Local: There’s some great goodies available at the Phare Boutique, which sells some amazing hand crafted souvenirs and artwork from the incredibly talented Phare visual artists. Even if you don’t decide to buy one of the beautiful art pieces – you’ll definitely need to grab a Phare Circus t-shirt or water bottle for yourself or your friends back home! This is a great place to grab some souvenirs outside of the usual Siem Reap markets.
Go More Than Once! If you’re in town for a while, check the show schedule! Because of the rotating schedule, you might be able to check out more than one of the Phare Circus performances, which we highly recommend. The stories are so well crafted and vastly different to each other that we recommend seeing as many of them as possible!
Take Photos (But Respectfully): Photos are allowed, but no flash! The lighting is actually really good for phone pictures, especially during the acrobatics. You’ll be able to get some great snaps to show off to everyone you know.
Wear the right clothes: Siem Reap in general can be pretty hot! The big top does use evaporative coolers to help keep the temperature down, but it’s not air conditioned. So if you’re not quite used to the hot weather of Cambodia make sure you wear light, breathable clothing. As with anywhere in Cambodia, we also recommend applying some mosquito spray – just in case!
Is Phare Circus Worth the Price?
Absolutely! It’s not the cheapest thing you’ll do in Siem Reap, but it’s one of the most memorable. The production value, the performers’ talent, and the heart behind it all make it feel more than worth the money. We think it’s SO worth the price, you should do it more than once if you get a chance to see different performances! Whilst there are lots of “Free attractions in Siem Reap”, there are also many that are WELL WORTH the money, and Phare Circus is definitely one of them.
Plus, your ticket helps fund education and art programs for young Cambodians, which alone is a good reason to go. The fact that it’s an incredible night out means that really, you’ve got no excuse not to!
If you want to experience something unique while you’re in Siem Reap – something that blends modern performance with deep cultural roots – then Phare Circus should be high on your list, right up there with visiting Angkor Wat. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a fun window into the resilience, creativity, and soul of Cambodia and it’s not to be missed.
So whether you’re a solo backpacker, a couple looking for a memorable date night, or a family wanting something everyone will enjoy, Phare Circus delivers every time. The only thing you need to think about is whether you’ll be heading back to your hotel when it finishes or if you’ll be heading to the famous Pub Street to continue your night amongst the fun Siem Reap nightlife! (Maybe not recommended if you’ve booked yourself in for an Angkor Wat sunrise tour the next morning!)
Useful Links
Official site & tickets: Phare Circus
Instagram: @pharecircus
Location on Google Maps: search “Phare Circus Big Top” or click HERE
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