AMAZING VIBE & ENERGY, TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CAMBODIAN YOUTH
More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent, making Phare Circus the top-rated evening entertainment in Siem Reap.
Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s (www.phareps.org) vocational training center in Battambang. The association was formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an art teacher using drawing classes as therapy and wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived and troubled youngsters in Battambang. They founded an art school and public school followed to offer free education. A music school and theatre school were next and finally, for the kids who wanted more, the circus school. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the alternative schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive outreach programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales.
Phare The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.

AMAZING VIBE & ENERGY, TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF CAMBODIAN YOUTH
More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.
Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s (www.phareps.org) vocational training center in Battambang. The association was formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an art teacher using drawing classes as therapy and wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived and troubled youngsters in Battambang. They founded an art school and public school followed to offer free education. A music school and theatre school were next and finally, for the kids who wanted more, the circus school. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the alternative schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive outreach programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales.
Phare The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.
Siem Reap
Showtime & Venue Hours
- Performances nightly
- Cambodian Street Food, drinks, shopping and pre-show entertainment from 5:30pm
- Show time 8:00pm (show lasts 1-hour, followed by the opportunity to chat and take photos with the performers)
TICKETS
SECTION A
- US$38.00 Adult (age 12+)
- US$18 Children (age 5-11)
- Reserved Seating in the front three rows of the middle section.
- Refillable sports bottle filled with cool water.
SECTION B
- US$28.00 Adult (age 12+)
- US$15 Children (age 5-11)
- Open seating in the rear three rows of the middle section.
SECTION C
- US$18.00 Adult (age 12+)
- US$10 Children (age 5-11)
- Open seating in the two side sections. Some spots have partially obstructed views.
Looking for Phare shows in Battambang?
Visit the Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school in Battambang to watch a circus show by the students or take a tour of the campus. Learn more about where it all started.
SUPPORTING A CAUSE
Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school
Phare, The Cambodian Circus is the social business extension of Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. The circus provides well-paying job opportunities to the school’s graduates, breaking the cycle of poverty. Revenue generated funds the school’s academic and artistic education programs as well as community support and engagement.
Phare Ponleu Selpak – roughtly translated, The Brightness of the Arts – is a Cambodian non-profit arts school located in Battambang, offering support to children, youth and the surrounding communities through artistic, educational, social and community outreach and engagement programes.
Over 1000 students are empowered every year through our schools and programes: performing, visual and applied arts leisure classes, and vocational training aid children and young adults to develop their creativity, communication and concentration skills, and to access a sustainable artistic career whilst preserving and promoting Cambodian arts and culture.
Find out more about Phare Ponleu Selpak: phareps.org
Special set menu, show packages or buffet dining – also for groups – please contact us:
+855 (0)92 225 320
+855 (0)15 499 480
sales@pharecircus.org
NEWS
Giant Puppet Parade 2016
The Giant Puppet Parade is back! Read more about the 2016 event. Phare Ponleu Selpak artists lead kids from various ourganizations to build giant puppets for the parade.
Influence: The Beginnings
As we welcome “Influence” to the Siem Reap big top, guests might be interested to know more about the story behind it. Many of the themes are universally recognizable, while others are very specific to the Cambodian experience.
« L’Or Blanc » en tournée française 2023
Pour la 4ème année consécutive, “L’Or Blanc” de Phare Circus revient en France! En savoir plus sur « L’Or Blanc » et comment acheter des billets.