Curated by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s 2025–26 season features original San Francisco Ballet commissions, uplifts ballet’s most visionary voices, and showcases the continued evolution of classical and contemporary ballet.Â
War Memorial Opera House | December 5–28, 2025
On Christmas Eve 1944, SF Ballet made history with the American premiere of Nutcracker, launching a national holiday tradition that continues to enchant audiences today. Set in 1915 San Francisco during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker takes place in a city celebrating a new age of technology and international collaboration, much like the San Francisco of today.
SF Ballet will host its fourth annual Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on Sunday, December 28 at 11 am, in partnership with Autism Society SF Bay Area, creating a welcoming space where neurodiverse audiences of all ages and abilities can experience the wonder of Nutcracker in a relaxed setting.
War Memorial Opera House | January 21, 2026
SF Ballet will host its 93rd Season Opening Night Gala on January 21, 2026, featuring a one-night-only performance of special excerpts and audience favorites from the 25/26 Season and beyond, along with a fundraising dinner and after party at San Francisco City Hall. Additional details to be announced at a later date.
War Memorial Opera House | January 23–February 1, 2026
Onegin is a richly layered and deeply human exploration of love, regret, and the heart’s fragility. Resident Choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s world premiere brings new depth to Alexander Pushkin’s classic, where a single choice alters the course of a life. Set in the final days of imperial Russia, this cautionary tale follows a jaded aristocrat forced to face the weight of his choices after a fateful encounter with the earnest Tatiana.
This major co-production with The Joffrey Ballet is a bold collaboration featuring an original score by Fulbright Scholar and Golden Mask Award winner Ilya Demutsky, costume design by Academy Award winner Tim Yip, striking sets by Olivier Award–nominated Tom Pye, and a libretto by Valeriy Pecheykin. A monumental experience for a modern audience, Onegin is an expression of Possokhov’s unique ability to blend contemporary choreography with classical tradition.
War Memorial Opera House | February 10–15, 2026
A tribute to the driving force behind modern ballet in America, ‘Balanchine’ showcases George Balanchine’s artistic evolution in three iconic works. Diamonds is a reflection of the choreographer’s training in the Russian tradition and a deep knowledge of classical technique. Serenade—the first ballet Balanchine created for American dancers—captures the emotional depth and innovative drive of his early time in the United States. Stars and Stripes, joyful and patriotic, was made as a tribute to the vitality of the American spirit.
‘Balanchine’ is set to scores by Tchaikovsky and Sousa, orchestrated by Hershy Kay. Each ballet offers a look into one of the 20th century’s greatest choreographers, celebrating Balanchine’s legacy of technical mastery and artistic vision.
War Memorial Opera House | February 27–March 8, 2026
In an electrifying series that pushes the limits of contemporary ballet, ‘The Blake Works’ sets William Forsythe’s fascinating choreography to the multi-layered music of Grammy Award–winning artist James Blake. ‘The Blake Works’ reimagines ballet with striking movement and a deep connection to music, featuring the pieces Prologue, The Barre Project, and Blake Works I. High-energy, dynamic, and rhythmically driven, this program launches ballet into new territory. Forsythe’s hallmark deconstructed aesthetic will be on full display.
‘The Blake Works’ marks the SF Ballet premiere of Forsythe’s latest works presented alongside audience-favorite material in a first-of-its-kind North American program and a true celebration of Forsythe’s innovative spirit.
War Memorial Opera House | March 19–29, 2026
A whirlwind of fiery dancing and playful wit, Don Quixote is ballet’s original romantic comedy. Inspired by Cervantes’ classic novel, this energetic production brings the streets of Spain to life with bold characters, dazzling choreography, and a love story that steals the spotlight. Choreographed by Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov and packed with passion, humor, and spectacular dancing, Don Quixote is a family-friendly ballet experience for all ages.
War Memorial Opera House | April 10–16, 2026
La Sylphide continues to captivate audiences nearly 200 years after its debut with timeless themes of human nature still relatable today. When James, a young Scottish farmer, falls under the spell of a mystical sylph, he risks everything to follow her into an enchanted world, only to learn the devastating price of chasing the unattainable. With its signature Romantic era enchantment complete with misty woodland scenes and a tutu-clad corps de ballet, La Sylphide is a hauntingly beautiful classic tale of love and illusion.
War Memorial Opera House | April 24–May 3, 2026
Inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s Jar, Mere Mortals explores society’s relationship with artificial intelligence and its boundless potential, as well as the unforeseen consequences of progress. A fully immersive sensory experience, music and movement unite within a captivating environment of light and video. Originally commissioned for Artistic Director Tamara Rojo’s inaugural season, the program returns in 2026 as a fusion of electronic music, festival culture, and contemporary ballet.
Mere Mortals merges the bold choreography of Aszure Barton with the visionary music of composer Floating Points, who performs live alongside the SF Ballet Orchestra at every performance.
Subscriptions and Tickets
Season subscriptions are available now.
Single ticket and Nutcracker ticket sales will go on sale at a later date. Stay tuned!Â
Featured Photo: Wona Park and Joseph Walsh in Forsythe’s Blake Works I // © Erik Tomasson.
