2018 Christmas Dance Shows - Complete Guide

This time of year is our absolute favourite for seeing dance shows! It’s usually battle of The Nutcracker during this festive show season, but that’s a bonus for you because it means you’re likely to catch a gorgeous interpretation of the show no matter where you are in the country! We’ve highlighted a few of our favourite Nutcracker performances for you here, along with other must-see Christmas dance shows so you'll have lots of dance show ideas!

England

North

• The Lowry, Salford - La Fille Mal Gardee, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet - on until 27th Oct

• Leeds Grand Theatre - The Nutcracker, performed by Royal Ballet - 4th - 16th Dec
• Blackpool Grand Theatre - Beauty and the Beast Pantomime - 7th Dec - 6th Jan

East

• Whitby Pavilion Theatre - Coppelia: Vienna Festival Ballet - 30th Nov

Midlands

Birmingham

• Royal Albert Hall - The Nutcracker, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet - 28th - 31st Dec

Birmingham Hippodrome

• The Nutcracker, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet - 23rd Nov - 13th Dec

South

London

• London Coliseum - The Nutcracker, performed by English National Ballet - 13th-30th Dec

• Peacock Theatre - The Snowman - 22nd Nov - 6th Jan

Sadler’s Wells

• Swan Lake, by Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures - 4th Dec - 27th Jan
• Rambert2 - 6th - 10th November

Lilian Baylis Studio

• A Child's Christmas, Poems and Tiger Eggs, performed by Ballet Cymru - 3rd-4th Nov

Royal Opera House

• La Bayadère - 1st - 17th Nov
• The Nutcracker, performed by The Royal Ballet - 3rd Dec - 15th Jan
• Les Patineurs 18th Dec - 4th Jan
• The Unknown Soldier, performed by The Royal Ballet - 20th - 29th Nov

Surrey

• Rose Theatre - Hansel and Grettel - 6th Dec - 6th Jan

Canterbury

• Canterbury Marlowe Theatre - The Three Musketeers, performed by Northern Ballet - 31st Oct - 3rd Nov

Scotland

Ediburgh Festival Theatre - Cinderella, performed by Scottish Ballet - 8th-30th Dec

Wales

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

• Snow Maiden, performed by Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia
• Cinderella, performed by Russian State Ballet of Siberia

Ireland

The Nutcracker by Ballet Ireland is touring near you this season! Check your local theatre to find your nearest production. 

How to See Dance Shows Without Travelling Far

Can’t get out to any shows this festive season? VUE cinemas are screening dance shows by the Bolshoi Ballet and The Royal Ballet this season, like festive favourite The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet and Sleeping Beauty. Want a different approach to The Nutcracker? We're so excited for the release of Disney's remake starring Sergei Polunin and Misty Copeland! 

Thanks for reading our list of Christmas dance show to watch this year! We hope it's giving you lots of dance show ideas. 

Inspired by The Nutracker costumes? Get your prima ballerina look: dance leotards, dance costumes, dance tights, dance shoes, dance bags.