Ballet comes alive this June at Esplanade!

Few art forms captivate quite like ballet… from the mesmerising scores to that rare blend of artistry and athleticism. And lucky us in Singapore: “da:ns focus”, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s year-round series of curated dance events, is bringing world-class ballet this June to Ballet by the Bay, the second themed weekend of its 2026/27 season.

Headlined by The Royal Ballet Gala and featuring some of the world’s best dancers, the four-day event (24 to 28 June) also has a programme of ticketed and free events for ballet lovers in Singapore. Read on for details, and book your tickets early!

Ballet by the Bay 2026 – highlight ticketed events

The Royal Ballet Gala – a grand return to Singapore after 21 years!

After more than two decades, The Royal Ballet is returning to Singapore, taking centre stage at Ballet by the Bay 2026 with The Royal Ballet Gala. This specially curated gala programme is a two-hour-40-minute showcase of the full creative range of one of the world’s greatest ballet companies.

Expect excerpts from iconic productions such as Swan Lake, Giselle and Le Corsaire. There will also be works by the company’s associated choreographers past and present, including Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan and Wayne McGregor.

Adding to the excitement is a line-up of over 30 dancers from The Royal Ballet, including 18 principals such as Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Fumi Kaneko and Matthew Ball. It’s a rare opportunity for ballet lovers in Singapore to see these stars perform live on stage.

Here’s a look at what’s in store at The Royal Ballet Gala in Singapore!

26 June, 8pm | 27 June, 3pm & 8pm | 28 June, 3pm | Esplanade Theatre | Get your tickets here

The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal in Singapore

Before the curtain rises on the gala, ballet fans get to enjoy a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes with The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal. A signature programme at the company’s home, London’s Royal Opera House, it invites audiences into an open rehearsal to see how a performance is shaped before opening night.

Over one hour, dancers from The Royal Ballet will rehearse a selected excerpt from the gala alongside Director Kevin O’Hare and members of the artistic team. The session also includes an in-conversation segment, so you’ll get to ask questions and hear directly from the artists themselves.

24 June, 7.30pm | Esplanade Recital Studio

Ballet by the Bay 2026 in Singapore – free events for everyone

If you can’t make it to one of the ticketed events, Ballet by the Bay 2026 at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay has a fantastic line-up of free programmes that you can pop into. Here are a few to know:

Ballet 101: The Choreography Game

This 30-minute interactive educational programme invites the audience to help shape a brand-new dance sequence by selecting ballet steps and positions, which the choreographer and professional dancers assemble into an original movement phrase in real time, accompanied by live piano music.

What makes it fun is that no two performances are the same. Each collaborative session results in a completely unique creation. It offers a fascinating peek into the artistry and creativity behind ballet choreography.

26 to 28 Jun, 7.15pm & 8.15pm | Esplanade Concourse

Impulse by National Contemporary Ballet

For those curious about ballet beyond the classical repertoire, Impulse is a newly commissioned work by Singaporean choreographer Jeffrey Tan and National Contemporary Ballet that explores what happens in the split second before movement begins – the breath, tension and instinct that give rise to action.

It’s a performance that blends contemporary sensibilities with classical forms; catch it under the open sky at the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre!

26 to 28 Jun, 7.45pm & 8.45pm | DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade 

Everybody Barre Now by Singapore Ballet and Singapore Ballet Academy

No dance experience? No problem! This beginner-friendly dance-along programme, specially created for Ballet by the Bay 2026 and adapted from da:ns focus’s EveryBody Dance Now series, invites audiences to experience the foundational techniques of ballet firsthand at the barre.

Moving alongside experienced ballet instructors, dancers and students, you’ll also get to learn short choreographic combinations inspired by classic ballet titles such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. All four sessions are free, open to all and require no prior dance experience. One plié at a time!

27 June, 1:10pm & 2pm | 28 June, 1.10pm & 2pm | Esplanade Concourse 

About da:ns focus at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Having transformed from “da:ns festival” in 2023/24, da:ns focus continues with an exciting year-round season of three themed weekends in 2026/27, each focusing on a particular theme or genre, connecting dance to important facets and expressions of our lives. Anchoring the three da:ns focus weekends is an exceptional trio of internationally acclaimed dance makers: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker / Rosas (Belgium) in April, The Royal Ballet (UK) in June, and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (Taiwan) in October. Together, these powerhouses represent distinct yet equally influential trajectories in the global dance landscape today.

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
1 Esplanade Drive
6828 8377 | esplanade.com/dans

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