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Siem Reap Tours
Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap
5

Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap

By Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Immerse yourself in Cambodian folktales and history while watching talented young acrobats and aerialists perform live feats before your eyes by booking yourself a ticket to Phare, a circus arts performance staged right in Siem Reap. There are six acts in total, depicting everything from traditional elements of Cambodian society to interactions between locals and tourists.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 5-99
Duration: 1–3 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket

Highlights
  • Learn about Cambodian life in an entertaining way
  • Watch theatrical and acrobatic performances from a young troupe
  • Choose from preferred seating or general admission tickets
  • Premium seating comes with free sports bottles for water

  • Siem Reap's most original, authentic live performance.
  • Phare Insider option includes backstage visit to artist, technician, costume work areas
  • Entry/Admission - Phare, The Cambodian Circus
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drink available for purchase during free pre-show entertainment


  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6719REPPHARE

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • 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.

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6719REPPHARE

From
₱1,074.47
per adult
Select date and travelers

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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Phare, The Cambodian Circus
    13,068
    Siem Reap, Cambodia
    Joined in February 2013
  • SillengTUKTUK
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A breathtaking blend of acrobatics, dance, and storytelling. Phare combines traditional Cambodian themes with modern circus arti
    A breathtaking blend of acrobatics, dance, and storytelling. Phare combines traditional Cambodian themes with modern circus artistry. Prepare to be wowed by the skill and artistry of these young performers.
    Written July 22, 2024
  • AudeG173
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Can't recommend enough, it's amazing !
    The Phare Circus is AMAZING ! We were blown away by the qualitfy of the show and the perfomances of the artists. Time flew by and it was already the end. It was poetic, funny, impressive. The live music give another dimension to the show. Also the Phare Circus is a social project that need support so please go to see them and support their art, it's so important! Also the boutique is high quality, we found some amazing things. Also we went a little bit early and had some amazing food there, at 7pm, a kids show was displayed and it was so cute. 10 out of 10!
    Written June 5, 2024
  • alshobaa
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Phare - the best show in town
    It was incredible experience with an extraordinary performance by passionate artists; it was much more than an entertainment with social messages. We enjoyed the performance, the expressions, the message, the music and the energetic atmosphere. The show is dedicated to an NGO which is educating 1200 students and 150 artists. Therefore it is also soul fulfilling experience.
    Written May 22, 2024
  • 422dyd
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great place to see a quick circus in Siem Reap. The staff is very friendly and welcoming.
    The amazing place in siem reap. A great place to see a quick circus in Siem Reap. The staff is very friendly and welcoming to the guests who come to the circus show. I will invite my family to see circus again next month when I got a free time. ❤😎
    Written May 18, 2024
  • F_redivo
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Phare circus show in Siam Reap!
    This circus show is stunning and highly recommended for families. Beyond the prowess, stamina and coordination, the purpose of the circus school is admirable as it funds and supports students from underpriliged communities. Definitely a unique must do while in Siam Reap! Morever the live cooking stations before the show are fresh and super tasty.
    Written April 9, 2024
  • Ros0604
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely brilliant - just go!!
    Absolutely brilliant show! Very entertaining and extremely high quality. Can’t recommend it highly enough. The food available before the show is also good - food court style.
    Written February 6, 2024
  • Curlgolf
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun show
    Skilled performers (acrobats, jugglers etc) and a band that keeps up a lively Cambodian rhythm make for a very enjoyable show.
    Written February 5, 2024
  • 2791jane
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great evening!
    Excellent show for a very worthy cause. Very entertaining and fun. Restaurants had great variety. Totally recommend!
    Written February 5, 2024
  • itsaanth
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unexpectedly Amazing!
    Such a fantastic group of performers and what a show. This was my highlight of Siem Reap. I wasn’t expecting such a world class performance and I’m so glad we went. This is an absolute must do, if you’re in Siem Reap.
    Written February 4, 2024
  • julieb0wen
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun evening
    We absolutely loved the show and the experience. They are very talented performers. There is also a lot of humour and the feeling that they are having a great time.
    Written January 31, 2024
  • Ashley S
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating and thrilling
    The show uses acrobatics and live music to tell a parable-like story of the struggle between individuality and conformity/control. Much like Cirque du Soleil, the acrobatics are stunningly good and very, very entertaining. But still the show has a distinctly Cambodian feel. Before the performance at 8pm we arrived early (at 7pm) to watch local children perform traditional dance routines on a small stage separate from the main in-the-round venue. They were great and the dances, all to a very slow and controlled tempo, were interesting to see. We would very definitely recommend Phare, for both adults and children. Children will thrill at the athletic feats and the amazing costumes/imagery and adults will probably pick up more on the overall story/theme.
    Written January 28, 2024
  • Kristiana S
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing experience in Siem Reap
    If you want to see something different than the pub tours with drunk people, you are at the right place. We LOVED the show! The artists were wonderful young people with a lot of passion about what they are doing and a lot of talent. The show was amazing from the beginning to the end. We would definitely visit again. Worth every dollar! Thank you for the wonderful evening. Special greetings to the only girl on the team, you were great!
    Written January 26, 2024
  • Suzie G
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    Had a great evening here. Took a tuk tuk from the centre and arrived early so we could get some food and drinks from the lovely food and drink stalls. There is also a pre show with some of the younger group members performing before which was cute. We booked the middle tier of tickets and had a great view. Loved the story behind the circus and how they help young people from difficult background. The performers were fabulous and the show lasts about an hour which is perfect.
    Written January 23, 2024
  • khunsreynin
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Truly amazing
    The show is amazing every time we visit. The food is a bit pricey for locals but it's nice. The place is organized and environmentally aware like they do not use single use plastics.
    Written January 22, 2024
  • PWSyd
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Entertaining night of culture
    Awesome night of local culture that provides a bit of the traditional as well as modern performing arts. It’s fun, funny and just a delight. Definitely added a perfect end to our experience in Cambodia. And great to be supporting a genuine local enterprise.
    Written January 8, 2024
See all 13,068 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,410 reviews
Excellent
1,284
Very good
92
Average
21
Poor
10
Terrible
3

JennMulch
Arlington, VA27 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
This show was great. The only reason I am not giving it an "Excellent" rating is because there was a strong smell of motor oil/gasoline in the circus tent that made me uncomfortable. Otherwise, this was an excellent excursion!

The acrobatics and story quality exceeded our expectations. We were whooping and wowing throughout the show.

We had the "cheap seats" and didn't miss a thing. The performers are oriented towards the better seats but we were just as entertained. The venue is small. But if seeing facial expressions matters to you, upgrade to the better seats.

The tent was warm but they provide handheld paper fans, which were great!

There were children/adults of all ages at the show, all seemed to enjoy. The fact that my older teenagers loved it means this is really something!

Nice touch to be able to buy popcorn and drinks as you enter :)

The story behind the circus is moving. By seeing this performance (and shopping in their art store) you are supporting a wonderful organization that is providing arts education in Cambodia.

Don't miss this show! But buy your tickets ahead of time. The later show was already sold out for the night we wanted so we did the earlier show. Enjoy!
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Phillip B
Courtenay, Canada1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
The performance was above and beyond expectations. The acting and story telling were a great addition to the acrobatic stunts being performed. Seat sections A and B are perfect for a head on view of the whole show. C seating is still great but from the sides. Small venue makes for a very close and personal experience, I recommend seeing this show if you only have one night in Siam Reap and definitely if you’re staying for longer than that!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bhrbabydoc
Naples, FL38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I attended this show because I had an extra night in Siem Reap and was looking for something to do. I am happy that I did! The performers were energetic and enthusiastic. The venue is intimate by circus standards...only 8 rows of seats...which brings the audience almost into the arena! I would recommend buying the "B" area ticket ($28). The less expensive seats are really "in the wings", and afford a much less favorable view of the action. The main benefit of the more expensive seats is that you get a reusable bottle of water to enjoy during the show. The profits from this troupe are used to support education and training of children in Cambodia who might otherwise not be able to afford schooling. A worthy cause, indeed!
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dr_gasman88
Sydney, Australia82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
A must-do while visiting Siem Reap, this is simply an amazing show - a combination of music, comedy, drama, and breathtaking acrobatic skill, from a small troupe of young Cambodians who are obviously having as much fun as the audience. The background of the circus, developed in a refugee camp and supporting free schooling for underprivileged children, just makes it all the more fabulous. Located about 10 minutes by tuk tuk from the centre of Siem Reap, the show runs for a little over an hour, after which there is an opportunity to chat to and have photos with the performers. There's also dinner available prior to the show, and a shop where you can purchase products made by graduates from the schooling program. Tickets are good value; the small venue in the round means that even the cheapest "C" seats afford a great view of the action. After the temples, this should be the second visit you make during your stay in Siem Reap. The vibe and energy and laughter will stay with you long after the show has finished. Highly recommended!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monika N
Cambodia41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We have a wonderful evening at the show with its high energy, funny and touching story. It's a creative and unique mix of acrobatics, Khmer storytelling and humour, music and enthusiastic performance .The artists keep the energy up the entire show and you can tell they LOVE what they are doing. My 5 year old was up and dancing at the end of the show and laughing throughout.

I would recommend to get seats in A or B. The theater is FULL and for the organization I'd recommend getting a bigger space given the popularity of the show to ensure everyone has a good view.

Will definitely be coming back with future guests!
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vernetta O
Manchester, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
My sister and nephew went to watch the Phare performance on 25th February 2020

The music dance acting acrobatics and contemporary tale entertained us throughout the performance. Great enthusiasm from the cast engaged the audience throughout. Truly amazing show with lots of laughter and cliff hanger moments...

Respect for the actors who not only showcase their amazing skills but support others to do the same

Highly recommend the Phare Circus
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christopher C
Chengdu, China15 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
I went to the show last night with my partner and it was an excellent show. However I was very disappointed that trip advisor stated it lasted 1hr 30 minutes when it only lasted one hour. After it ended the cicrus spent ten minutes talking about the group and started asking for donations. Our ticket was $28 and even for a show of 90 minutes that's pricey but for just an hour I felt like it was a rip off and asking for donations afterwards really?

The show was really good for as long as it lasted but very disappointed that the duration wasn't correct. Oh at the end they also asked everyone to give them a review on trip advisor too.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear N4693GBchristopherc, Thank you for sharing your experience of Phare, The Cambodian Circus. We regret it didn't meet your expectations. You are absolutely correct that the actual time on stage is about 60 minutes and we're working to have the TripAdvisor listing amended to reflect that. There is a FAQ page on the Phare website with complete details about the timing and other items related to the guest experience. To help guests plan their evening, it's worth noting there is more than the 1-hour live show. From 7:30pm to 8:00pm as guests are entering the big top, there are various video clips sharing background information about the performers and the school where they train. The actual live performance starts at 8:00pm and runs 60-75 minutes depending on many factors: which of the different stories is on stage, audience engagement and accomplishment of the techniques. At the end, there is a 5 minute speech about the school, followed by the opportunity to come on stage to chat and take photos with the artists. Guests generally exit the big top around 9:20 or so. With respect to the ticket prices, they're actually average for live performances in Siem Reap of comparable duration. The circus is the social business extension of Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school, which provides free artistic and academic education and social support services to at-risk Cambodian youth. Revenues generated at the circus currently cover 100% of it's operating expenses and pays approximately 50% of the school's annual operating budget. Guests who would like to make a contribution to the school are invited to do so at the end of the show. And, of course we invite guests to share their experiences on TripAdvisor and other social media. Constructive feedback is very helpful for us to continually improve guest experiences and all reviews help future guests better understand the experience and make their decision to visit or not. Thanks again for the feedback. It's very helpful in our efforts to deliver a positive guest experience. Sincerely, Craig Dodge Director of Sales & Marketing
Written February 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Geoff C
Nottingham, UK627 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Recommended to this as the best thing in Siem Reap and it was definitely a lot more comfortable than Angkor Wat! It's a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride out from town although I'm sure you could walk it. We went the whole hog and had the dinner and posh seats (gets you a nice posh recyclable water bottle). At $50 this was undoubtedly expensive by Cambodian standards but I don't mind if the profit is going to a good cause. The meal was very nice without being spectacular.

The performers were spirited, talented and above all, witty in a way I wasn't expecting. I'd been expecting something a lot more traditional - what I got was just a lot of exuberant fun. The audience is almost exclusively a bunch of well-fed tourists but everyone seemed to be coming out reliving the show and smiling fit to burst.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AnnaBananaPole
Essex, UK222 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019
I heard about the circus and really wanted to go, as I do circus skills as well.
The staff were very kind, helpful and made us feel very welcome.
Our seats were right at the front and were amazing. We had a great view of the stage.
I loved that they gave us fans because it does get very hot in the tent and a souvenir metal bottle with water which I loved.
The performers were amazing and it was great to see what they could do. I liked that you heard the story of the school and what they do and why they do it. Even though there wasn't much dialogue in the show, I could understand what they were trying to portray.
Overall, this was a great experience and was thoroughly entertaining throughout.
I would recommend anyone coming to Siem Reap to visit the circus to see what these talented students have achieved.
Written April 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve H
St Clair, Australia3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
While not knowing what to expect, we were blown away by this spectacular. The storyline was fun, the actors entertaining, and the skill breathtaking.
As an added bonus, the admission price is going to a great cause, providing employment and meaning to so many talented young lives.
Exceptional value for money. The reviews speak for themselves.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap provided by Phare, The Cambodian Circus

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