The 2026 season at Sadler’s Wells Theatre features big names and new productions, including BalletBoyz and the return of Matthew Bourne’s Christmas residency.
The London dance theatre group has unveiled its events schedule for the latter half of 2026 at Sadler’s Well Theatre, plus exciting festive programming at the Peacock Theatre and Sadler’s Wells East.
Autumn programming kicks off with the English National Ballet’s Rhythm Riot, a contemporary ballet of three parts that lets rhythm tell the story. Running from 24th September to 3rd October, an explosive neo-classical number by George Balanchine starts the show, followed by a slow and poetic lyrical piece by Jae Man Joo, then concluding with the world premiere of Micaela Taylor’s toe-tapping, infectiously uplifting Bow Out.
The groundbreaking Ballet Black is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026 with a landmark double bill featuring the Olivier Award-winning Ingoma, which tells the stories of Black miners during the 1946 South African miners’ strike, and joyful new production …all towards hope created by Hope Boykin specifically for the celebration. Groups can watch the limited run from 14th to 17th October.
For a short time only the Birmingham Royal Ballet will be gracing the Sadler’s Wells Theatre stage with its production of Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky’s romantic masterpiece, performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, will be showing from 28th to 31st October.
Pioneering male dance troupe BalletBoyz, also in its 25th year, will explore how trauma, memory, anxiety and empathy live together in the body and mind in the new production of Six Lethargies. Accompanied by a live 37-piece orchestra, the choreography invites audiences to experience a visceral evocation of where and how trauma manifests, and how it can find resolution. Performances run from 18th to 21st November.
Christmas at Sadler’s Wells
From 1st December to 17th January, groups can see the 30th anniversary celebration of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. The innovative ballet is a retelling of the classic fairytale, set in 1940s London.
A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz. The production features Olivier Award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston, while Prokofiev’s score is matched with the sights and sounds of war-torn London.
Following its festive residency at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella will be touring the UK in 2027, heading to venues including Nottingham, Cardiff and Canterbury.
At the Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, groups can watch an all-new production of The Snowman™, based on Raymond Briggs’ cherished children’s book, from 21st November to 3rd January.
The show is performed by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and will feature beautifully crafted puppets and Howard Blake’s iconic score including the Christmas classic Walking In The Air.
Sadler’s Wells East, which opened in 2025, is seeing in the festive season with a fresh take on A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens’ classic will get a hip hop makeover in ZooNation’s Ebony Scrooge, which follows fashion mogul and nightmare boss Ebony who has cancelled Christmas for her landmark fashion show.
This bold adaptation with a Caribbean twist proved a hit with audiences of all ages last Christmas and the return is hotly anticipated.
Organising a group visit
Special rates are offered to groups of ten or more at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Peacock Theatre and Sadler’s Wells East. Groups of ten plus receive 10% off Stalls tickets, while groups of 20 or over receive 20% off.
Discounts apply to most shows and occasionally group accelerator rates are available.
Group bookings for shows across the Sadler’s Wells venues can be made here. Find out more about the upcoming season at: sadlerswells.com/your-visit
