A Celebrated History

Touring has been a vital part of Boston Ballet’s identity from its earliest years. Under Company founder E. Virginia Williams numerous regional tours (as the pre-professional New England Civic Ballet) attracted the attention of George Balanchine. His recommendation lead to the awarding of a Ford Grant and the creation of a professional company in 1963. The newly professional Boston Ballet continued to tour nationally with performances throughout the 1960s and 1970s at Jacobs Pillow and in cities throughout the U.S. In 1967 Boston Ballet dancers had the honor of performing for President Johnson and his guests at the White House alongside the Opera Company of Boston. In 1972 Boston Ballet stepped onto the international stage when dancers joined Rudolf Nureyev on tour in Mexico. In 1979 the Company embarked on their first international tour to the Nervi Festival in Italy.

Boston Ballet’s international profile continued to grow throughout the early 1980s. During the 1980 world tour, which included stops in Italy, France, Israel, and Hong Kong, Boston Ballet became the first U.S. ballet company to tour to The People’s Republic of China. In 1981 the company again joined Nureyev on tour, with a debut at the London Coliseum. Boston Ballet continued to tour with Nureyev, performing in Europe in the summer of 1982. Touring at home and abroad continued into the late 1980s and 1990s, including engagements at the Spoleto Festival in South Carolina in 1988 and 1989; the Kennedy Center in 1990 and 1994; Spain in 1991; and France in 1998.

Today, Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen continues the legacy of critically acclaimed national and international tours. Highlights include repeat appearances at the Fall for Dance Festival in New York in 2004, 2007, 2009, 2015, and 2018; return engagements at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2008, 2013, and 2014; the Company’s debut at Lincoln Center in New York in 2014; the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center in June 2018, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood in August 2018. International tours include Spain in 2007 and 2010; Korea in 2008; Helsinki, Finland in 2012; a triumphant return to the London Coliseum in 2013 as part of the company’s 50th celebrations, and a historic debut in Paris at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in 2019.

"Bringing Boston Ballet to Paris was a dream come true, and the incredible response we received makes it even more special," said Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "Touring allows us to showcase our work on a global scale and I’m honored to represent Boston in this great cultural mecca."

Touring remains a significant aspect of the Company’s mission, expanding Boston Ballet’s ability to develop new audiences, take artistic risks, and engage in the cultural life of communities at home and abroad.




Ticket Information links on this page will take you off the Boston Ballet website. Tickets for Boston Ballet on tour are handled through the ticket offices of the venues.

Tour booking inquiries can be directed to Boston Ballet's touring agent.