The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2026 Season is a year of drama, beauty and imagination - where timeless stories and bold new visions collide.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2026 Season is a year of drama, beauty and imagination – where timeless stories and bold new visions collide.

Opening the season in February is the world premiere of Macbeth, choreographed by internationally acclaimed Alice Topp. Set in a volatile world of politics and media, this thrilling new ballet explores power, ambition and downfall, accompanied by Christopher Gordon’s pounding new music, layering a full orchestral and heavy metal score with live string octet.

April brings Dazzlehands, a joyful adventure for tamariki and their whānau based on the picture book by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan – a celebration of courage, friendship and sparkle.

In July, the Winter Season honours the RNZB’s artistic past, present and future, featuring Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, alongside contemporary works Ultra Folly by Sarah Foster-Sproull and Stand to Reason by Andrea Schermoly.

The year closes with a spectacular return of The Sleeping Beauty, complete with dazzling designs by Gary Harris and magical touches by Wētā Workshop.

From epic tragedy to fairytale wonder, the RNZB’s 2026 Season invites audiences across Aotearoa to experience the power and beauty of dance in all its forms.