A season of winter magic is coming to Alberta for classical ballet lovers

The lilt of an oboe and the climactic crash of the Swan Lake Suite, the dance of the cygnets and the Balcony Pas de deux — they’re some of the most impressive moments in classical ballet, and you can catch them at Alberta Ballet’s upcoming 2026 winter season.

In fact, it’s a bit of a double-hitter for classical ballet lovers, as the company will perform two of the most beloved Russian ballets — Romeo & Juliet and Swan Lake — back-to-back.

In Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare’s timeless tale will unfold through breathtaking choreography by Francesco Ventriglia and the splendour of three-time Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson. Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by the curse of an evil sorcerer.

Both ballets were expertly crafted by Russian composers, though some 60 years apart. Swan Lake was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky from 1875 to 1876, and Romeo & Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev in 1935, though Tchaikovsky is sometimes mistakenly credited for the ballet’s composition due to his Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture that was completed in 1870.

If you’re a fan of ballet, classical music, or one of these Russian composers, it’s a can’t-miss opportunity to see it all unfold on stage, accompanied by a live orchestra. You’ll have more than one opportunity to catch the show, with performances across Calgary and Edmonton in February and March.

When: Thursday, Feb. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (Calgary); Friday, Feb. 20 to Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 (Edmonton)
Time: Varies by date
Where: Southern and Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Tickets: $96+

When: Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 (Calgary); Friday, March 27 to Saturday, March 28 (Edmonton)
Time: Varies by date
Where: Southern and Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Tickets: $96+

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