Discover Phare Circus: Battambang’s World-Class Circus Show

A must-see cultural destination in Siem Reap, Phare Circus combines acrobatics, live music, dance, and compelling storytelling to highlight contemporary Cambodian art while promoting meaningful, ethical tourism.

Introduction To Phare Circus

For anyone visiting Siem Reap, Phare Circus is not your typical circus – it’s a night of vibrant performances that combine Traditional Cambodian culture with storytelling, contemporary circus arts, dance, live music, and a form of visual theatre. Phare Circus represents a reflection of Cambodian culture and community through the creative vision of the founding group.

Phare Circus combines acrobatics, live music, dance, and compelling storytelling

You will come away from seeing the show, not only entertained but also having done something meaningful to help the local community. The artists that perform at Phare Circus have been trained at a nonprofit arts school called Phare Ponleu Selpak – all ticket sales from shows directly support the free education, arts training, and employment of young Cambodian performers. Phare Circus represents a way to take part in responsible and sustainable tourism in Cambodia while enjoying a wonderful show!

History Of Phare Circus

Phare Circus has its origins in Battambang, Cambodia, in 1994, when nine Cambodian men returned from a refugee camp following the Khmer Rouge regime. Upon returning home, the men each began working on recovering themselves through drawing with art teacher support. The art support provided the men with a creative outlet that led them to healing. The experience of working together inspired the creation of the Phare Ponleu Selpak, which is an Arts and Education Association that provides free education and creative opportunities to at-risk youth.

The Association has undergone major growth from an arts public school into a Music and Theatre Program and finally evolved into a Professional Circus Training Program for students who wish to pursue the Arts long-term. Today, Phare Ponleu Selpak currently supports approximately 1200 students attending Public Education and 500 attending other Artistic subsidised institutions, along with an extensive Community Outreach Program.

In order to help develop a base of performing artists, Phare: The Cambodian Circus was created to provide these artists with a professional platform to earn a fair wage, as well as to instill pride in their work and themselves. Phare possesses the ability to use its performances as a mechanism to eradicate the cycle of poverty and to promote authentic Cambodian stories to the world.

Top 3 Iconic Attractions In Phare Circus

When attending the Phare Circus in Siem Reap, you’ll experience a unique cultural experience where all three components, dinner, shopping, and spectacular Circus performance, come together to create an extraordinary night. Each part of the circus provides an opportunity to engage, interact, and connect with the Cambodian culture through creativity and community spirit.

Phare Boutique – Cambodian Art And Crafts

Before the main performance, many guests will likely take time to browse through the Phare Boutique, where they can find a variety of locally-produced, handmade products. Many of the products sold in the Phare Boutique are original paintings created by students of Phare Ponleu Selpak, as well as other works by Cambodian artisans.

Purchasing items from this boutique allows you to take home a piece of Cambodian culture and support local artisans and their livelihoods while gaining a greater understanding of the artistic benefits provided to society by the local craftspeople.

Phare Café – Dining And Street Food Experience

Phare Cafe is situated between the boutique and big top tent, offering a wonderful pre-show dining experience featuring a large selection of both local Cambodian and International Cuisine. You will find many favorite dishes in Siem Reap made with ingredients grown locally, such as Fish Amok and Beef Kroeung, and enjoy beverages, snacks, as well as light meals while you await the performance.

There is an exciting, lively atmosphere within the cafe due in part to the open ambiance, colorful lighting, as well as seating arrangements designed to accommodate large gatherings such as groups of friends, families, or couples looking forward to their evening ahead, enjoying good food and conversation.

The Big Top – Main Performance Arena

Attending Phare Circus ahead of time allows you to experience many different aspects of entertainment, such as watching the training sessions of the dancers and interacting with fellow audience members prior to the show.

You can find numerous food booths and vendors close by that sell typical street foods from Cambodia, small snacks to tide you over until the show starts, and drinks to cool off from the heat, and provide you with an opportunity to taste the local cuisine before you watch the circus performance. The entire area is very active and has a vibrant and lively atmosphere reminiscent of a fantastic night out in Siem Reap.

5 Unforgettable Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss

Visiting Phare Circus goes beyond being a performance; it’s an experiential journey into another culture. Every step of the process, from entry into the venue to the last note of the performance, presents an opportunity to create unforgettable moments in the lives of everyone who attends.

Experience A Live Story-Driven Circus Show

The central feature of the Phare Circus experience is the live show, which combines acrobatics, theater, dance, and music in a compelling and dramatic performance. Every performance tells a different story that draws inspiration from Cambodian society and culture and ensures that no two visits are ever the same.

With seats shaped like a circle and placed very close together, you are able to feel every nook and cranny of the acrobats as they turn and flip in mid-air, and are immersed in every bit of the performance as they experience humor and suspense, and experience the deep emotion conveyed during this performance.

Enjoy Pre-Show Dining And Drinks

Coming early allows tourists to access Cambodian food and drinks at Phare Café before the performances. You are able to sample local snacks, light meals, or a cold drink as you take in the vibrant and creative ambiance. Coming early allows you to take a moment to relax before the performance, observe other people, and take in the excitement that comes with a circus tent. The occasion also presents an opportunity to learn more about Cambodian culture, which further enriches your evening.

Explore The Phare Boutique

The Phare Boutique provides a rich insight into the creativity of the locals. At the Phare Boutique, you get the chance to view a number of souvenirs, artworks, and other craftwork examples produced by the Phare Ponleu Selpak students and students who have graduated from the program. Every item in the store carries a rich history and plays a direct role in contributing to the educational program of the circus. A visit to the store enables you to experience the Cambodian creativity.

Experience The Energy Of Live Music And Acrobatics

Another exciting experience offered at Phare Circus is the coordination of music and acrobatic acts. Music plays on various forms of instruments in live performances. The music is well-timed in harmony with all acts performed on stage. Notable acts include when circus performers engage in flip acts, balance acts, and synchronized acts in harmony with music. The experience of enjoying circus acts performed with music engages all the senses of viewers.

Talk With Talent At The Performer Interaction Zone

Once the event is finished, many attendees use their opportunity to speak directly with the talent, as most performers will usually be located around the exit area to obtain pictures, signatures, and have a few words exchanged. This experience enhances the overall visit by allowing an intimate encounter with the performer, thereby providing insight into how they arrived at this point in their career and a greater understanding of their life experience. So you should add this activity to your to-do list in Siem Reap.

Entrance Fee

Phare Circus is an evening performance that requires tickets and is priced according to seating category, so you can select the experience that best fits your viewing preferences and budget. The current ticket prices for the main show at the Big Top in Siem Reap are summarized below:

Seating Category	Adult (12+ years)	Children (5-11 years)	Details
Section A	38 USD	18 USD	Reserved seating in the front half of the middle area; includes a refillable sports bottle with cool water.
Section B	28 USD	15 USD	Open seating in the rear half of the middle area; a good balance of comfort and price.
Section C	18 USD	38 USD	Open seating in the two side sections; some seats may have partially obstructed views.

Opening Hours

The opening time before the show even starts is roughly two hours prior, at 18:00, to give visitors a chance to check out the boutique, grab a drink at the café, and find their seats. Early access also enables visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant environment, check out souvenirs, and grab a beverage prior to the show, especially when it is still off-peak tourist season, since a lot of tourists tend to occupy the area. The show starts at 19:30.

How To Get To Phare Circus

Getting to Phare, The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap can be via a tuk-tuk, taxi, or bicycle ride. When riding a bicycle, you can actually see the Old Stadium located about 10 to 15 minutes away from Old Market, depending on how you are traveling. Many hotels in Siem Reap and travel companies can organize transport for you as well.

By Tuk-tuk

The most popular and economical transportation service is provided by tuk-tuks. It’s quite easy to negotiate a ride charge, which may vary between 2 to 5 USD. Depending on your starting location, this charge will vary.

Taxi Or Grab

Taxis or Grab transportation are faster and more comfortable, especially when traveling in a group or with bags. It would cost 5-10 USD from Siem Reap to the circus.

By Bicycle

Cycling is also an enjoyable way to explore the city when you are staying close by. The rental of bicycles is around 1 to 3 USD per hour. This will give you enough time to enjoy the cycling before reaching the circus.

Things To Know Before Traveling To Phare Circus

Before going to see a show at Phare Circus, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you maximize this exciting and enriching cultural experience. Knowing what to expect is key to a pleasant and trouble-free night out.

It is advisable to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the performance in order to enjoy the venue’s ambiance, browse the boutique, and have some food or drink before the performance begins.
Booking tickets in advance, especially during peak travel times, is advisable since the shows usually sell out quickly.
It is best to carefully select your seating category, as seats that are closer to the stage are better for viewing acrobatic shows and performances.
Taking pictures during the performance will not be allowed, so you have to enjoy the show without taking photos.
Dress comfortably because the show is performed in a giant tent that may be warm.
Come early and have dinner at Phare Cafe before the show because the food service closes as the performance begins.
Never forget the fact that the ticket revenue from your attendance also contributes to local artists and educational initiatives.

Final Thoughts: Is Phare Circus Worth Visiting?

The Phare Circus experience is definitely one worth pursuing for those travelers in search of a meaningful experience. They can look forward to an entertaining experience that combines storytelling, physical acts, music, and Khmer artwork in a fascinating way. Apart from enjoying this experience, one will be contributing to community education in Siem Reap. Take this wonderful experience with Seni World and include it in your adventures in Siem Reap.

Content Seniworld