The best ballet, opera and dance shows

London has a fantastic variety of productions, from Giselle and La bohème to the family-friendly Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Whether you’re already an aficionado or looking to try your first dance or opera performance, the capital is the ideal place to look. There are numerous London ballet shows and London opera shows on offer, featuring some of the most talented artists in the world and often taking place in the most splendid venues in the theatre district.
There is also a wide variety of London dance shows and opera productions to suit all tastes, from Matthew Bourne’s revolutionary Swan Lake to the Royal Ballet’s family-friendly Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, from the English National Opera’s hilarious Marriage of Figaro to the Royal Opera’s heart-rending La bohème. You can find our 10 best dance shows for autumn here.
If you’re on the hunt for the best London ballet shows, best London opera shows and best London dance shows, then check out our top picks below and get booking now.
Toe-tapping, and toe-pointed, entertainment in London includes classical ballet, contemporary dance, circus, children’s shows and more.
 
In a nutshell: When Matthew Bourne’s radical version of classic ballet Swan Lake premiered almost 30 years ago, with its striking corps of all-male swans, it caused a sensation. Now the choreographer’s signature work is back in a revival that celebrates how this bold, witty and relatable production inspired the next generation of dancers – and invites a new generation of audiences to experience his dance revolution. Join Bourne’s lost prince, who, stifled by royal convention, discovers a whole new side to himself when he falls in love with the liberating male Swan.
“Matthew Bourne’s striking reimagining still has the power and passion to move. I’m sure I won’t be the only one flocking back to the theatre for another viewing.” Read the full review of Swan Lake
Booking: Dec 3-Jan 26 2025
In a nutshell: The world’s leading contemporary circus company celebrates its 40th anniversary by reviving one of its big hits, the enchanting Corteo. This carnival of wonder features a clown dreaming about a heavenly procession, and the acts really are sublime, from the aerialists who swing from giant chandeliers (and right over the audience) to the gravity-defying acrobats diving between gigantic cradles.
This show is especially well suited to the cavernous environs of London’s beautiful Royal Albert Hall, giving these extraordinary artists so much space to play – and to take daring risks. There’s a real sense of joy to this show that will appeal to young audiences too, whether it’s trampoline acrobats bouncing on a huge bed, performers clambering up a precarious freestanding ladder, or a goofy clown tripping over his feet as he tries to golf. It’s a jaw-dropping display.
Booking: Jan 9-Mar 2 2025
In a nutshell: It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without this popular festive ballet, which sees a young girl’s nutcracker doll come to life (think Toy Story with more pointe shoes). Clara helps her Nutcracker do battle with Rat King, and is then taken on a thrilling journey to the Land of the Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy – her dance is set to the famous part of Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous score.
Performed in the majestic surrounds of the London Coliseum, English Ballet’s new version, choreographed by artistic director Aaron S Watkin and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Arielle Smith, promises to bring fresh magic to this enduring, and beloved, story.
Booking: Dec 12-Jan 12 2025
In a nutshell: Mary Skeaping’s exquisite production of one of the great Romantic ballets is a highlight of English National Ballet’s repertoire. The eerie, tragic tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness sees peasant girl Giselle fall for the disguised duke Albrecht, only to have her heart broken when she discovers he’s engaged to someone else. Then the supernatural Wilis, the spirits of betrayed brides, gather to wreak a terrible revenge – but will Giselle intervene? This terrific ballet is an atmospheric thrill.
“Skeaping’s staging is particularly bewitching… For two marvellously lean hours, this show makes the 21st century fall beautifully and blissfully away.” Read the full review of Giselle
Booking: Jan 15-18 2025
In a nutshell: If you’re looking for a dance show with a difference, wing your way over to the Southbank Centre this Christmas for Circa’s exciting mash-up of ballet Swan Lake and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Ugly Duckling with incredible circus and cheeky comedy. This is the first time that the Australian circus company has performed its hit production in London.
Duck Pond packs in numerous different dance styles and extraordinary stunts, everything from a black swan performing burlesque to ducklings wearing yellow flippers and twirling mops, plus contemporary circus favourites such as the Cyr wheel, hula hoop tricks, and daredevil acrobatics. It’s punk entertainment with something for everyone, and should definitely ruffle a few feathers.
Booking: Dec 19-30
In a nutshell: Curiouser and curiouser… Tumble down the rabbit hole and into Lewis Carroll’s brilliantly bonkers fantasy world, spell-bindingly translated into dance by Christopher Wheeldon for the Royal Ballet. All our favourite characters are brought to life, from the despotic Queen of Hearts to the grinning Cheshire Cat, the eccentric Mad Hatter and the anxious White Rabbit, as well as the courageous adventurer Alice. This is a real treat for audiences of all ages, making it the perfect choice of dance show for a family outing.
“It isn’t only one of the funniest and most magical works in the Royal Ballet’s repertory (though it certainly is that), but also one of the most beautiful.” Read the full review of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Booking until: Jul 6 2025
London is the home of world-leading companies such as the Royal Opera and English National Opera, producing performances of both brand-new and classic works, with homegrown talent and visiting international superstars.
In a nutshell: Puccini’s masterwork is extremely appropriate opera viewing for this time of year, since its story begins on Christmas Eve. Bohemian artist friends Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline and Schaunard are all struggling to stay warm and pay the bills (and keep the landlord at bay). Rodolfo meets and falls in love with seamstress Mimi, but this cold, hard winter will test their passionate young love. It’s a triumphant return for Richard Jones’s acclaimed Royal Opera production, starring Olga Kulchynska as Mimi, and Pene Pati and Stefan Pop as Rodolfo.
“This is a virtuoso display of visible stagecraft: Parisian arcades slide into the Café Momus and out again onto the street; the snow drifts down, magically lit, but we can see that we are in a story.” Read the full review of La bohème
Booking: Dec 13-Jan 17 2025
In a nutshell: English National Opera has brought back its much-loved Jonathan Miller production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, which sets the action in 1950s Little Italy in New York, and turns its volatile characters into violent gangsters. Rigoletto makes a joke about the wrong man, sinister Mafia boss The Duke, who strikes back by seducing his daughter Gilda. Rigoletto, incensed by this attack on his family, vows to take his own vengeance.
Weston Hurt stars in this revival as Rigoletto, alongside Yongzhao Yu, Robyn Allegra Parton, Amy Holyland, Patrick Alexander Keefe and William Thomas, directed by Elaine Tyler-Hall. Prepare for a fast-paced, blood-thirsty mobster saga: it’s opera meets The Godfather, on an epic scale.
Booking until: Nov 21
In a nutshell: If you want a madcap romp of an opera, Mozart’s comic gem is definitely the best pick. Taking place on a single day, it’s a battle of the sexes as the unfaithful Count Almaviva sets out to seduce his servant Figaro’s fiancée Susanna, but she and the Countess concoct a plan to thwart him. There’s also a scheming enemy, a long-lost family reunion, and plenty of joyous farce as people hide in closets, wear disguises, and jump out of windows.
The Marriage of Figaro also features a glorious score, with famous arias such as Voi che sapete and Non piú andrai. The exciting director Joe Hill-Gibbins helms this dynamic new production, which gives the story a fun contemporary framing, and the cast is led by David Ireland and Mary Bevan.
Booking: Feb 5-22 2025
In a nutshell: Leading Scottish composer Thea Musgrave has set the story of her nation’s doomed queen to music in a much-anticipated English National Opera premiere production. The Catholic Mary I of Scotland ruled briefly in the turbulent 16th century, riven with political and religious division, but she was forced to abdicate, betrayed by her husband, and imprisoned by England’s Protestant queen (and Mary’s cousin) Elizabeth I, who saw her as a rival for the throne.
It’s a great subject for drama, featuring royal battles, faith, civil war, family and love, and Musgrave is adding an atmospheric Highlands-rooted score to this intriguing mix.
Booking: Feb 15-18 2025
In a nutshell: Harry Fehr sets his new production of Donizetti’s opera romcom L’elisir d’amore in England during the Second World War, and wittily frames it like an episode of a TV sitcom. Country house estate worker Nemorino has long harboured feelings for Adina, lady of the manor, but she pretends not to feel the same way.
So, he asks travelling salesman Dulcamara for a love potion, but instead of bringing the couple together, as he’d hoped, Nemorino becomes irresistible to the Land Girls, while the jealous Adina punishes him by taking up with someone else. Can they untangle this mess in time? It’s hilarious and heartwarming watching them work it all out.
Booking: Nov 15-Dec 5