10 Things to Know Before the Curtain Rises on the 2025–2026 Season - Boston Ballet
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10 Things to Know Before the Curtain Rises on the
2025–2026 Season

By Boston Ballet Staff

Misa Kuranaga and Jeffrey Cirio in George Balanchine's Rubies ©The George Balanchine Trust

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

From Company and world premieres to rich orchestral scores and gorgeous costuming, Boston Ballet’s 2025–2026 season promises a sense of awe in every program, showcasing the exceptional versatility and strength of our dancers. Here are 10 highlights to know before the season takes the stage.

Artists of Boston Ballet in Crystal Pite's The Seasons' Canon

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker at Citizens Opera House

Photo by Brooke Trisolini

1. The exquisite Jewels returns to Boston Ballet.

The season will kick off with George Balanchine’s JEWELS, last performed by Boston Ballet in 2014. This neoclassical masterpiece is comprised of three distinct sections: the romantic Emeralds, jazzy Rubies, and elegant Diamonds, set to three quintessential composers: Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Running November 6–16 at the Citizens Opera House, Jewels will dazzle with glittering costumes and brilliant dancing.

2. Three special works make their Boston Ballet debut, plus a world premiere.

This season offers three Boston Ballet premieres: Sir Frederick Ashton’s THE DREAM, an enchanting one act ballet that tells the story of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering, an exploration of community through movement, and William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman, a dynamic display of dance with vibrant attitude, both in SPRING EXPERIENCE. My’Kal Stromile creates a brand-new neoclassical piece especially for Boston Ballet. Each of these works will bring a distinct choreographic voice, expanding the Company’s repertoire and igniting the Boston stage for the first time.

3. The Nutcracker returns after a record-breaking year.

Winter’s most wonderful time of the year brings the annual return of Mikko Nissinen’s THE NUTCRACKER, welcoming everyone to celebrate the holidays with a captivating story, showstopping sets and costumes, and an enchanting Tchaikovsky score played live by our own Boston Ballet Orchestra. Following a record-breaking 110,000 audience members last year, The Nutcracker will return with another 45 performances from November 28–December 28. You don’t want to miss this “gold standard” production guaranteed to be a highlight of the city’s holiday season. (The Boston Globe)

4. The Sensory Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker will return on December 5.

Boston Ballet remains committed to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences that connect, inspire, and enrich our diverse community. This season, we continue that commitment through our third SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE OF THE NUTCRACKER on December 5, featuring an abbreviated 1 hour and 20 minute performance specially designed for those who are neurodiverse or have sensory sensitivities. Accommodations include restricted loud noises, ASL trained ushers and interpreted announcements, large print programs and more. In addition to sensory programming, Boston Ballet maintains strong community partnerships with schools and local organizations, among whom 5,000 free tickets were distributed last year. Boston Ballet is proud to continue this work in the 2025–2026 season and beyond.

Chisako Oga and Derek Dunn in Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty

Photo by Liza Voll

5. Boston Ballet’s own choreographers take center stage this season.

Boston Ballet’s internal talent will be proudly on display with two works by current and former Company dancers. Spring Experience brings the return of Principal Dancer Lia Cirio’s sensitive and poetic ballet After. Former Company Artist My’Kal Stromile, now a choreographer, will premiere a new work in The Dream program in March. Both works are true Boston Ballet creations, including a newly composed score by Music Director Mischa Santora for Stromile’s ballet.

6. More than your traditional tutus will be on display.

The versatility of the dancers and the season repertoire are matched by dynamic costuming, from timeless elegance to edgy high-fashion. Herman Schmerman will feature sleek, punchy yellow designs originally by Gianni Versace. In contrast, THE SLEEPING BEAUTY showcases some of the most historic pieces in Boston Ballet’s wardrobe designed by the late David Walker. Many of these garments are over 50 years old and hold a legacy within their seams: the names of iconic past performers, such as Jennifer Gelfand and Laura Young are still stitched inside.

7. Classic composers meet Boston’s own brilliance in a music-rich season.

Ballet’s vast soundscapes will be celebrated and played by Boston Ballet’s Orchestra, with composers from classic icons to contemporary masterminds. Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky’s work brings timeless sound to Jewels, The Nutcracker, and Le Sacre du Printemps, while Boston Ballet Music Director Mischa Santora creates something entirely new for My’Kal Stromile’s world premiere, his second original score for Boston Ballet.

8. Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) returns.

The original Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) was one of the most revolutionary ballets in history, famously causing a riot at its 1913 Paris premiere due to its bold choreography and Stravinsky’s revolutionary score. Boston Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo created his powerful interpretation of the ballet in 2009, exploring ancient pagan rituals through modern movement. Paired with Crystal Pite’s monumental, overwhelmingly popular The Seasons’ Canon, WINTER EXPERIENCE is an incredibly moving program not to be missed.

9. Dancing animals will make their mark on the stage.

Audiences can look forward to the return of the beloved Nutcracker Bear and Bunny this November, guaranteed to bring laughter and TikTok content. But they aren’t the only animals stealing the spotlight this season as Boston Ballet’s premiere of The Dream brings Shakespeare’s Bottom transformed as a donkey dancing a charming pas de deux (on pointe!). The menagerie continues with The Sleeping Beauty classics of Puss in Boots, Bluebird, and more.

10. You can secure your seats for the season directly from Boston Ballet starting on September 3.

To experience these exciting moments be sure to purchase your tickets when they go on sale on Wednesday, September 3. Remember to buy directly through Boston Ballet online or by calling our box office at 617.695.6955 to not only support our non-profit mission but also ensure you don’t overpay or accidentally purchase a fake ticket through a third party. Boston Ballet looks forward to welcoming you this season!