From five world premieres and dozens of repertory favorites to the company premiere of Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo & Juliet, New York City Ballet’s 2026–27 season promises timeless treasures and choreographic innovations.
The David H. Koch Theater | September 22–October 18, 2026
George Balanchine’s iconic Jewels sets off the 26–27 Season with its singular splendor, followed by five wide-ranging mixed repertory programs comprised of beloved classics and cutting-edge new works. The Fall Fashion Gala sees two world premieres from Jennifer Archibald and Alysa Pires, advancing the field of choreography in keeping with the mission set forth by our founders. Returning to the stage is Kyle Abraham’s emotionally resonant Love Letter (on shuffle), set to music by James Blake, paired with the highly technical divertissements of Resident Choreographer Justin Peck’s quixotic Pulcinella Variations. An enticingly eclectic program brings back two works recently added to the company’s richly varied repertory: Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky’s poignant Solitude from 2024 and Christopher Wheeldon’s streamlined Continuum, which made its NYCB premiere in Spring 2026. Following a lengthy hiatus, the company revives Balanchine’s avant-garde Pithoprakta, set to Iannis Xenakis’ experimental score, and additional highlights include favorites such as Balanchine’s bravura-filled Theme and Variations and Jerome Robbins’ eternally witty The Concert.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The David H. Koch Theater | November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027
NYCB’s landmark production of the holiday classic returns. Called “the gold standard” Nutcracker by The New York Times, Balanchine’s production helped to establish The Nutcracker and its score as perennial favorites in the United States. Each year, all 90 company dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands and more than 125 children, in two alternating casts, from the School of American Ballet join forces to make each performance as magical as possible.
The David H. Koch Theater | January 19–February 28, 2027
Winter 2027 begins with a two-week run of the much anticipated company premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s full-length Romeo & Juliet, “spinning an even more epic tale than usual” (Dance Magazine). On the heels of this exhilarating addition to the repertory, music from Tschaikovsky and Stravinsky is made visible in a trio of Balanchine masterworks—Mozartiana, Agon, and Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2—highlighting two of our founder’s most revered composers. Recent creations make swift returns to the stage, including Jennifer Archibald’s commission from the 2026 Fall Fashion Gala, Jamar Roberts’ mesmerizing and numinous Foreseeable Future from 2025, Tiler Peck’s exhilaratingly musical Concerto for Two Pianos, and Alexei Ratmansky’s satirical The Naked King. Teeming with showbiz glam and cinematic theatrics, fan-favorite Slaughter on Tenth Avenue caps a transportive program that also features The Four Temperaments, Balanchine’s vanguard leotard classic. The company reprises the full-length Jewels in all its timeless effulgence for five additional performances, marking the 60th anniversary of the work’s premiere in 1967.
The David H. Koch Theater | April 20–May 30, 2027
Spring 2027 commences with three programs spotlighting masterworks from founding choreographers George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. From Serenade’s breathtaking and resonant expression to Stravinsky Violin Concerto’s inventive partnering, Afternoon of a Faun’s poignant subtlety and Other Dances’ sophisticated purity, these treasures have captured the minds and hearts of audiences for decades. Following these cherished classics, world premieres from Justin Peck and Tiler Peck, as well as the company premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s fiery and fleet Fandango, centerpiece the six-week performance period. Moves, a daring Robbins creation scored solely by the sounds produced by the dancers themselves, and Oltremare, an emotional odyssey rich with brooding anticipation by Mauro Bigonzetti, make their returns after recent absences from the NYCB stage. The season concludes with two full lengths: Justin Peck’s vibrant Copland Dance Episodes, set to a selection of Aaron Copland’s seminal compositions, and Balanchine’s endlessly transporting adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a Shakespeare comedy translated with crystalline lucidity into classical dance storytelling.
Galas & Special Events
Oct 1: Fall Fashion Gala
Celebrated for her work’s singular blend of classical and hip-hop styles, choreographer Jennifer Archibald, founder and artistic director of the Arch Dance Company, takes on her first commission for the company, while Alysa Pires returns with her second piece for NYCB following 2023’s jazz-inflected Standard Deviation.
Oct 18: Adrian Danchig-Waring Farewell
The Fall Season concludes with a Farewell Performance honoring Principal Dancer Adrian Danchig-Waring, who retires from NYCB after more than 23 years. For this one-time-only occasion, choreographer Pam Tanowitz will create a world premiere pièce d’occasion. The program will also feature works closely associated with Danchig-Waring: Lar Lubovitch’s Each In Their Own Time, in which Danchig-Waring originated his role, and Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and Agon.
Feb 28: Taylor Stanley Farewell
The Winter Season concludes with a one-time-only Farewell Performance for Principal Dancer Taylor Stanley to mark their retirement from NYCB after 17 years with the Company. The program will include Balanchine’s Emeralds (from Jewels) and other repertory to be announced.
May 6: Spring Gala
An evening of new thrills and timeless treasures awaits guests of this annual springtime celebration, culminating in the world premiere of the latest ballet from Resident Choreographer Justin Peck. Additional programming will be announced at a future date.
Subscriptions and Tickets
Season subscriptions are available now.
Single tickets will go on sale August 3 and Nutcracker tickets will go on sale in September. Stay tuned!
Featured Image: New York City Ballet in Justin Peck’s Copeland Dance Episodes © 2023 Erin Baiano
All performance photography © Erin Baiano and Paul Kolnik.
