One of the many reasons to visit San Diego is its thriving year-round arts and theatre scene. The city is home not just one but three professional ballet companies and provides first-class venues for touring Broadway shows and plays to be performed in the city.
There's always something on offer to delight lovers of live performance, and that absolutely includes those that love the ballet!
Nutcracker Ballet
Enhancing San Diego Through Ballet
The San Diego Ballet companies’ shared mission is to bring the best of classical and contemporary dance to a diverse audience and to share their love of this beautiful art form with the community.
To expand their audience, each company is continuing to challenge itself and its audience by presenting full programs of exciting works via several innovative media via zoom or at open-air pop-up venues and drive-ins.
Sample the magic of the ballet from the comfort of your own home - then come and experience the thrill of a live performance!
Sidewalk in the Gaslamp
The Top Three San Diego Ballet Companies and Where to See Them
The natural homes of the companies, the San Diego Civic Theater, The Balboa Theatre, and California Center for the Arts, Escondido, are all located in the Downtown San Diego area near the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
This area of San Diego is very walkable and the perfect place for a stroll in the gentle evening air, to enjoy a pre-show drink or snack. After the performance, head out again to savor the atmosphere as the city's famous nightlife wakes up and round off your evening by savoring the fresh local delicacies in one of the area's top-quality restaurants.
Want to see more of the city? The San Diego Highlights Tour will bring you to Balboa Park, the Embarcadero, Coronado, and the famous beaches of La Jolla all on one guided tour! I think it’s the perfect pairing for an evening spent at the Ballet.
Main Lobby at the San Diego Art Museum
San Diego Ballet Company
Under the creative direction of choreographer Javier Valasquo, the San Diego Ballet Company or SDBC continues to present a vast range of innovative pieces, such as Panama 66, in exciting venues such as the Sculpture Garden of San Diego's Museum of Art. Their classical works, such as the Nutcracker, have become an indispensable part of San Diego's festive cultural offerings.
In keeping with SDBC's bold creativity tradition, past performances have even taken place at an outdoor pop-up drive-in auditorium, with guests bringing their chairs and food from nearby restaurants.
Entrance to the Balboa Theatre
California Ballet
Founded in 1968, California Ballet is resident at the San Diego Civic Theater and Balboa Theatre. Its varied repertory comprises a diverse mixture of well-loved classics, newer 'narrative' ballets, and themed contemporary pieces.
Under the energetic and visionary leadership of Raul Salamanca, the California Ballet's new Artistic Director, and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the company continues to expand its range of top-quality performances.
Spreckels Theater Sign for the Nutcracker in Core Columbia, Downtown San Diego
City Ballet of San Diego
Under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, the City Ballet of San Diego continues its mission to present a wide range of pieces – from world premieres to a season of 'From the vault' ballets, which recapture the magic of much-loved past performances, many created and choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich.
Never afraid to innovate, 2020 saw the City Ballet present their version of The Nutcracker online as well as live in the Concert in your Car series at the Del Mar Fairgrounds!
Performances were previously held in Spreckels Theatre, which is in the midst of renovations. You can now see the City Ballet at Balboa Theatre or the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Voted #1
San Diego Ballet has been voted #1 dance troupe by the reader’s poll of the San Diego Union/Tribune, and BestofSanDiego.com