OVERVIEW
San Francisco Ballet offers Family Dance-Alongs and Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs throughout the season. Share the wonder of ballet with your family and experience the joy of dancing together. Led by SF Ballet’s Professional Teaching Artists and SF Ballet School Faculty Members, our interactive 60-minute Dance-Along workshops explore the story, choreography, music, and characters of some of Ballet's most beloved productions, through hands-on activities that unlock the magic of a ballet performance.
Participants are guided through a fun ballet warm-up and dance-along choreography based on a story ballet that SF Ballet is performing on the Opera House stage. Family members of all ages and abilities are invited to dance. Following the dance-along experience, participants are invited to explore arts and crafts activities, take photos with dancers, try on a tutu, and more!
Our Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs, designed in partnership with Autism Fun Bay Area, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, and College of Adaptive Arts, provide a dedicated and relaxed environment for children and adults of varying physical and cognitive abilities to experience ballet on their own terms. These interactive workshops offer a guided dance class specifically tailored to the sensory and behavioral needs of the participants, as well as tactile activities, take home crafts, and a quiet space for sensory breaks. Learn more about our Sensory Friendly Programs here.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
NUTCRACKER DANCE-ALONG, December 22, 2024
Step into Clara’s magical winter wonderland full of toy soldiers, twirling snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and more! Move to the choreography, discover the music, learn about costumes and pointe shoes, and enjoy hands-on arts and craft activities.
Participants should wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement and are welcome to wear their favorite costume. Ballet shoes are not required. No prior dance experience is needed; all bodies and physical abilities welcome. A quiet room and family restrooms will be available and accessible at all times.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Family Dance-Alongs are recommended for families with children ages 3–7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs are open to all ages and abilities and aim to reach a neurodiverse audience.
Location: SF Ballet, 455 Franklin Street, SF
Dates: Nutcracker Dance-Alongs December 22, 2024
Times:
- 9:00 AM–10:00 AM – SOLD OUT
- 10:00 AM–11:00 AM – SOLD OUT
- 11:45 AM–12:45 PM – SOLD OUT
- 1:30 PM–2:30 PM (Sensory Friendly Workshop) – SOLD OUT
To be added to a waitlist, email education@sfballet.org.
Cost: $25 per person, adults and children*
- Participants should wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement.
- Ballet shoes are not required.
- Participants are welcome to wear their favorite costumes.
- No prior dance experience is needed.
*If you would like to request financial assistance for our Dance-Along workshops, please email education@sfballet.org.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Family Dance-Alongs are recommended for families with children ages 3–7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs are open to all ages and abilities and aim to reach a neurodiverse audience.
Location: SF Ballet, 455 Franklin Street, SF
Dates: Nutcracker Dance-Alongs December 22, 2024
Times:
- 9:00 AM–10:00 AM
- 10:00 AM–11:00 AM – SOLD OUT (To be added to the waitlist, email education@sfballet.org)
- 11:45 AM–12:45 PM – SOLD OUT (To be added to the waitlist, email education@sfballet.org)
- 1:30 PM–2:30 PM (Sensory Friendly Workshop)
Cost: $25 per person, adults and children*
- Participants should wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement.
- Ballet shoes are not required.
- Participants are welcome to wear their favorite costumes.
- No prior dance experience is needed.
*If you would like to request financial assistance for our Dance-Along workshops, please email education@sfballet.org.
*All guests must have a ticket. We respectfully request that adults be accompanied by at least one child to participate in the workshops. To ensure the safety of minor participants, all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For our adult fans of ballet, we offer separate adult classes and adult education workshops, learn more about our Adult Programs here.
By participating in this event, you authorize SF Ballet to take photographs and videos of you and your family during the workshop. You permit the use of any such photographic reproductions for any purpose, including but not limited to educational and public media, and understand that you may be identifiable from such electronic reproduction.
**Ticket sales end at 5 PM the Friday before each workshop. All sales are final and are non-refundable. No cancellations. Exchanges, if allowed, are subject to pricing increases, restrictions, and fees.
PAST WORKSHOPS:
SWAN LAKE DANCE-ALONG
Dive into one of Ballet’s greatest love stories and most recognizable scores at our Swan Lake Dance-Alongs. Participants will spread their wings like swans, dance like princes and princesses, and cast magical spells as they explore this beloved classic.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM DANCE-ALONG
Enter Shakespeare’s enchanted forest of whimsy, mistaken identity, and jest—where fairies rule, magic abounds, and love reigns supreme. Our A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dance-Alongs are a delight for all ages and will have your family fluttering like fairies all day long.
QUESTIONS?
Pam Sieck
Community Programs Coordinator
education@sfballet.org
SENSORY FRIENDLY NUTCRACKER
Join us for SF Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Performance of Nutcracker on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 11 AM!
STORYTIME WITH SF BALLET
Join the artists of SF Ballet for storytime, then try a few ballet steps with artists from SF Ballet or listen to music played by members of the SF Ballet Orchestra. Fun for all ages!