The National Ballet of Canada’s Announce 2025.26 Season
November 1, 2025 – June 21, 2026
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
The National Ballet of Canada has unveiled a breathtaking 2025/2026 season under the artistic leadership of Hope Muir, showcasing the full breadth of its repertoire: from family classics to bold new works and contemporary premieres. As Muir states, “The 2025/26 season defines the incredible breadth in the dance world today, incorporating family‑friendly ballets, time‑honoured classics and vital contemporary work into an eclectic season that balances the thrill of discovery with the comfort of the known”.
Below is a curated overview of the season’s mainstage productions at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre, with an added tour performance:
Season Schedule & Highlights
- Procession (World Premiere)
Dates: November 1–8, 2025
Choreographers: Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber
A ground‑breaking collaboration, Procession promises a new artistic direction and is one of the season’s most anticipated premieres. - The Winter’s Tale
Dates: November 14–21, 2025
Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
A Shakespearean epic brought to life through Wheeldon’s emotionally rich choreography, blending two kingdoms fractured by jealousy and mended by love. - The Nutcracker (30th Anniversary)
Dates: December 5–31, 2025
Choreographer: James Kudelka
The beloved holiday classic returns in its 30th production, featuring Tchaikovsky’s magical score and dazzling seasonal spectacle.
- Flight Pattern / Suite en Blanc
Dates: February 27–March 6, 2026
Choreographers: Crystal Pite (Flight Pattern); Serge Lifar (Suite en Blanc)
A riveting double bill pairing Pite’s emotionally urgent North American premiere with Lifar’s elegant neo‑classical piece. - Pinocchio
Dates: March 13–22, 2026
Choreographer: Will Tuckett
Tuckett’s reimagined tale, sprinkled with Canadiana, features playful stage design and a vibrant Paul Englishby score. - Procession (On Tour – Ottawa)
Dates: April 23–25, 2026
Venue: National Arts Centre, Ottawa
The ambitious premiere travels to Ottawa, expanding the company’s national reach. - New Work by Jera Wolfe / Emma Bovary
Dates: May 29–June 4, 2026
Choreographers: Jera Wolfe; Helen Pickett (Emma Bovary)
Wolfe, one of Canada’s most promising new choreographers, debuts alongside Pickett’s reworked Emma Bovary, first premiered in 2023. - MADDADDAM
Dates: June 13–21, 2026
Choreographer: Wayne McGregor
Featuring original music by Max Richter, MADDADDAM returns after its acclaimed 2022 premiere, inspired by Margaret Atwood’s dystopian trilogy.
Artistic Vision & Company Context
Under Hope Muir’s vision, the season is a bold mix of narrative storytelling, familial favourites, and avant‑garde choreography that honours tradition while embracing innovation (national.ballet.ca). From the snow‑filled stage of The Nutcracker to the futuristic intensity of MADDADDAM, the repertoire reflects the company’s commitment to diversity, excellence, and Canadian artistry.
Founded in 1951 and based at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre, the National Ballet continues to be a leading force in Canadian dance. With 70 dancers, its repertoire spans classical full‑lengths and contemporary works, championing both home‑grown and international choreographers.
Why This Season Matters
- World and North American Premieres – Procession and Flight Pattern invite audiences into new creative worlds.
- Celebration of Canadian Creativity – Original choreography by Jera Wolfe and Helen Pickett spotlights emerging Canadian talent.
- Cultural Staples with a Twist – Seasonal joy in The Nutcracker’s anniversary run and a fresh take on Pinocchio.
- Literary Adaptation – MADDADDAM, inspired by Margaret Atwood, fuses literature and ballet in a visually arresting production.
This season invites audiences both new and returning to experience a kaleidoscope of emotions, narratives, traditions, and daring explorations. Whether captivated by classical grace or contemporary intensity, patrons are set for a season of unforgettable performances.
Embark on this rich journey starting November 2025 and experience the National Ballet of Canada at its creative zenith.
About The National Ballet of Canada
Celia Franca founded The National Ballet of Canada in 1951 with the goal of presenting the best of classical and contemporary ballet. Today the company is among the world’s finest, with 70 dancers, an inhouse orchestra and a permanent home at The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto. The National Ballet has a history of pre-eminent Artistic Directors and, starting January 2022, welcomed new leader Hope Muir.
Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contemporary work and encourages the creation of new ballets as well as the development of Canadian choreographers. In recent years, the National Ballet has become a top destination for creative partnerships and the building and staging of new work. Since 2011, the company’s highly skilled production team has worked from a state-of-the-art facility, The Gretchen Ross Production Centre, to build and store its glorious sets and costumes.