From unlikely heavy metal celebrations to life-altering global sensations, Manchester’s upcoming dance and ballet calendar offers a series of enchanting, astonishingly diverse performances guaranteed to captivate newcomers and connoisseurs alike.
Here are the best ballet shows to book now in Manchester.
Marking its 30-year anniversary, Riverdance 30: The Generation embarks on a special tour later this year, breathing new life in the much-loved original show with brand-new innovative choreography, costumes, state-of-the-art lighting, projection and motion graphics.
An epic collaboration between Rambert and (LA)Horde, two of the most celebrated dance companies in modern times, Bring Your Own is a gritty and sensual production that channels the rhythms, energy and spirit of Lindy Hop through a post‑internet rave lens, reawakening its call for equality and freedom in today’s world.
The Lady Boys return with their brand-new production for 2025, packed with plenty of signature fun, comedy and outrageous cheekiness. Including over 400 incredible costumes and an impossible amount of sequins, expect a fully-fledged party.
This time-bending cabaret follows the true story of a Suffragette-turned-Fascist, told through six chameleonic dancers in a world of explosive physicality.
Venus 2.0 comes from award-winning company IMPERMANENCE, which creates genre-bending, ground-breaking productions, touring nationally and internationally to critical acclaim.
The bewitching and beloved fairytale of Sleeping Beauty comes to the Place Theatre by way of the phenomenal Enligh National Balle this autumn.
Brimming with beautiful choreography and sumptuous sets and costumes (by legendary designers Peter Farmer and Nicholas Georgiadis), audiences will be whisked away to an enchanted land of magical characters and good versus evil.
This lavish spectacle is heightened by one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest ballet scores, played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Bringing Birmingham’s world-famous musical heritage to life with a thoroughly unique theatrical experience, Carlos Acosta crashes onto the Lowry stage with Black Sabbath – The Ballet.
Staged in three acts, the show features thrilling dance and innovative orchestrations of legendary Sabbath tunes like Paranoid and Iron Man, as well as new works inspired by their catalogue.
After last year’s acclaimed tour, Crown Ballet® returns to the UK with Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, The Nutcracker. An ideal choice for those who like to get the holiday spirit kicked off early, the timeless seasonal classic is billed as a the perfect introduction to the magic of classical ballet for audiences of all ages.
Swan Lake, arguably the most famous romantic ballet of all time, takes over The Bridgewater Hall’s stage to kick off the new year, filling the iconic venue with staggering movement and Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score.
Blurring the boundaries between classical music and other artforms, Manchester Collective join forces with dance-theatre company Thick & Tight to present a searing live performance that draws on queer culture, flittering between ballet and cabaret, the absurd and the disarmingly moving.
Manchester-based multimedia artist CHAINES completes the impressive lineup, whose work synthesises cutting-edge technology with their classical training to create surreal, glitchy textures.
BRB’s Director Carlos Acosta revives a 19th-century masterpiece, bringing a much-needed slice of Spanish sunshine to the famous Salford theatre. A show that’s perfect for the whole family, Don Quixote is packed with delightful music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and is a must-see for fans of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.
The worldwide phenomenon that redefined Irish dance is set to return to the United Kingdom in 2026 to celebrate its 30th Anniversary. Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley’s visionary show, is one of the most recognised dance stage productions in history, and the 30th Anniversary Tour will feature brand-new choreography, stunning costumes, state-of-the-art special effects, and cutting-edge lighting
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Thu 31 Jul 2025
The globally-adored Moulin Rouge! The Musical comes to Manchester via The Place Theatre this year. Winner of ten Tony awards, including Best Musical, Best Director, and Best Choreography, Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life in a Belle Époque blaze of glamour, glitz and eye-popping excess.