Must-see entertainment in Cambodia

  • SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - JULY 01:  Cambodian circus artists perform in front of a crowd of foreign tourists on July 1, 2015 during a performance of "Eclipse" at Phare - The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Phare Ponleu Salpak is an organization providing free education and artistic training to Cambodian children. Students in the organization's circus program often go on to careers performing both internationally and domestically at venues like Phare - The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap.  (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

    Phare the Cambodian Circus

    Siem Reap

    Cambodia's answer to Cirque du Soleil, Phare the Cambodian Circus is so much more than a conventional circus, with an emphasis on performance art and a…

  • Phare Ponleu Selpak

    Battambang

    Battambang's signature attraction is the internationally acclaimed circus (cirque nouveau) of this multi-arts centre for Cambodian children. Although it…

  • Traditional Dance Show

    Phnom Penh

    For this must-see performance, put on daily by Cambodian Living Arts, artists come from CLA's incubator program and work on specific shows for up to two…

  • Meta House

    Phnom Penh

    This German-run cultural centre screens art-house films, documentaries and shorts from Cambodia and around the world at its rooftop cinema. Films are…

  • Prumsodun Ok & Natyarasa

    Phnom Penh

    Cambodia's first gay dance company infuses Khmer classics with a contemporary (and LGBTQ+) spirit at its evocative performances in the Counterspace…

  • Sacred Dancers of Angkor

    Siem Reap

    There are countless apsara dance shows around Siem Reap, but only the Sacred Dancers of Angkor can claim royal patronage from HRH Princess Norodom Bopha…

  • KAMA Fish Island Arts Centre

    Kampot

    Founded by Julien Poulson of legendary band Cambodian Space Project, this social enterprise has moved into a large new creative space on the outskirts of…

  • Sovanna Phum Arts Association

    Phnom Penh

    Regular traditional shadow-puppet performances and occasional classical dance and traditional drum shows are held here every Friday and Saturday night…

  • Bambu Stage

    Siem Reap

    Bambu Stage offers an eclectic variety of traditional entertainment, including a nightly shadow puppet show that weaves a historical tale of the Cambodian…

  • Angkor Dynasty

    Siem Reap

    Move over Macau (and Las Vegas): the Angkor Dynasty show has come to town. This is an epic multimedia performance that tells the story of Angkor through…

  • NPA Explosive Detection Dogs

    Siem Reap

    Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has been training sniffer dogs to assist in landmine clearance in Cambodia and not had a single casualty to date. See these…

  • New Cambodian Artists

    Siem Reap

    This small contemporary-dance theatre is set in a black box on the east side of the river and has been making a name for itself thanks to the innovative…

  • Bophana Centre

    Phnom Penh

    Established by Cambodian-French filmmaker Rithy Panh, this is a free audiovisual resource for filmmakers and researchers. Visitors can explore its archive…

  • Chatomuk Theatre

    Phnom Penh

    Check the flyer out front for information on performances at the landmark Chatomuk Theatre, located in the heart of Phnom Penh's popular riverfront…

  • Counterspace Theater

    Phnom Penh

    This black box theatre, opened in 2018, runs a regular program of dance, performance, music, poetry, film screenings, talks and more. The resident company…

  • Apsara Theatre

    Siem Reap

    The setting for this Cambodian classical-dance show is a striking wooden pavilion finished in the style of a wat. The price includes dinner. It tends to…

  • Major Cineplex

    Phnom Penh

    The smartest cinema in town, with seven screens, including a business-class-like VIP screen and a 4DX screen for interactive viewing (complete with moving…

  • Flicks

    Phnom Penh

    Flicks shows at least three movies a day (more on weekends) in an uber-comfortable, air-conditioned screening room. As a bonus, you can watch all films on…

  • Sharky's

    Phnom Penh

    An old-school Phnom Penh hangout, long famous for billiards and babes, Sharky’s has done a good job of redirecting its focus towards quality live music…

  • Top Cat Cinema

    Kampot

    Film showings are by appointment on an 8m high-definition screen (for groups of at least six) or on large flat-screen TVs (for smaller groups). Movie…

  • Rosana Broadway

    Siem Reap

    Bringing a bit of Bangkok-style Broadway to Siem Reap, this show includes cultural dances from the region and a not-so-cultural ladyboy cabaret. It was…

  • Temple Club

    Siem Reap

    Temple Club stages a free traditional-dance show upstairs nightly, providing punters order some food and drink from the very reasonably priced menu.

  • Smile of Angkor

    Siem Reap

    Popular with some Asian tour groups, this is the glitziest dinner-dance show in town, but in reality it doesn't live up to the hefty price tag.

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