The story of Phare: Phare Ponleu Selpak ("the light of art" in Khmer) was founded in 1994 by 9 former refugees returning from Thailand with the help of a French NGO. The school now trains 1,200 students annually in visual arts, music, theater, and circus. The performers are all students or alumni of the school.

The Show

Each show tells a story — drawn from Khmer mythology or the Cambodian collective memory — using acrobatics, dance, theater, and live music as the only languages. Not a single word is spoken. The performance lasts about 1 hour.

The technical level is stunning: human pyramids, balancing on canes, contortion, fire juggling, aerial acrobatics. What sets Phare apart from a traditional circus is the emotional storytelling that runs through each act. You laugh, hold your breath, and sometimes feel unexpectedly moved.

Standard Price 18-38 USD depending on the seat
Duration About 1 hour (without intermission)
Schedule Shows every evening, usually at 8 PM or 9 PM
Address Phare Circus, Sok San Road, Siem Reap

How to Book

Direct booking on the official website (pharecircus.org) is the best option — you choose your seat on the tent's seating plan, and the purchase goes directly to the school. You can also book through GetYourGuide.

In high season (November-March), the best seats sell out several days in advance. Book as soon as you know your dates in Siem Reap.

Arrive early: The bar opens 45 minutes before the show. Enjoy a lychee cocktail or an Angkor beer in the ambiance of the tent before the lights go out. The atmosphere before the show starts is part of the experience.

Choosing Your Seats

The tent is semicircular. The "gold" seats (front rows, slightly elevated in the center) offer the best view. The standard side seats are still very good — the tent is small, and there are no bad seats. Avoid the extreme sides if you have a choice.

GetYourGuide — Book the Phare Cambodian Circus
Tickets with seat selection · Instant confirmation · Flexible cancellation
On nous pose souvent ces questions

Questions fréquentes

Tickets range from 18 USD (standard seats) to 38 USD (premium seats, best sightlines). Prices vary slightly depending on the shows — the most popular shows may cost a bit more. A bar on-site offers drinks before and during the show. Online booking in advance is highly recommended.

Phare offers several different shows in rotation — each has its own story, acrobatics, and musical style. Shows change regularly. Check the schedule on pharecircus.org or phare.com.kh. All shows are of very high quality — the choice depends on your availability rather than a preference between shows.

Yes, absolutely. Phare is one of the best family activities in Siem Reap. Children love the acrobatics and live music. The shows are free of violence and shocking content. Recommended from ages 5-6.

A bar with drinks (cocktails, beers, soft drinks, light snacks) is available before the show and during intermission. It is not a restaurant — dine before or after. Many restaurants in the Pub Street area are a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride away.

Yes, the school's campus in Battambang (the city of origin) welcomes visitors during the day. If you pass through Battambang in your itinerary, it's a very enriching stop. The school in Siem Reap is separate from the main campus.