This winter, we love those long evenings that call for slipping into Paris’s most beautiful theaters to enjoy the season’s most dazzling ballets. In 2026, three legendary productions promise to make us forget about time through music and movement. Between Benjamin Millepied’s reimagined Nutcracker at La Seine Musicale, Sleeping Beauty for the whole family at Théâtre Mogador… choosing just one is impossible. So we’re seeing all three!
Most Iconic : The Nutcracker
January’s most anticipated event is here. La Seine Musicale hosts an original creation of the iconic Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, beautifully rewritten by Benjamin Millepied. Expect tickets to disappear in a grand jeté. Picture this: 22 dancers from the Ballet de l’Opéra de Nice swirling across the stage to an exclusive recording by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, elevated by Paul Cox’s stunning costumes and set designs. Name-dropping rarely gets more tempting than this.
A quick story refresher: on Christmas Eve, Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a gift. That night, she sneaks back to see it and witnesses a breathtaking scene: toys come to life, the Christmas tree grows, and her nutcracker transforms into a soldier. Is she dreaming? The Mouse King’s army launches an attack. Leading the tin soldiers, the Nutcracker wins the battle and becomes a charming Prince. Together, Clara and the Prince embark on a magical journey around the world… This beloved tale, interpreted countless times, takes on new life through the spellbinding poetry of Benjamin Millepied, who reinvents his own creation 20 years after its first staging in Geneva. A must-see to book quickly—perfect for extending the holiday magic.
Casse-Noisette de Benjamin Millepied, January 7 to 11, 2026 at La Seine Musicale, 1 Île Seguin, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt.
Most Dramatic : Swan Lake
One of the world’s most iconic romantic ballets returns once again to major stages worldwide. This year, Swan Lake, imagined in 1875 by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, comes to life at the Palais des Congrès before touring across France and Europe, in a production as grand as ever. Picture fairytale-like sets, sumptuous white tutus, and a live orchestra elevating every step performed by the dancers.
The ballet tells the story of Odette, the swan princess condemned to live in the form of a magnificent white bird due to a sinister spell, becoming human again only at nightfall. Madly in love, Prince Siegfried attempts to break the enchantment to set her free. Drama, romance, and intensity combine in this timeless masterpiece, whose music and choreography are unforgettable.
Le Lac des Cygnes at Palais des Congrès, 2 place de la Porte Maillot, Paris 17e. March 3 to April 15.
Most Family-Friendly : My First Ballet
Following the success of My First Nutcracker and My First Swan Lake, Théâtre Mogador returns with a brand-new creation for ages 4 and up: Sleeping Beauty. This ballet, initiated by former Paris Opera Ballet étoile Karl Paquette, serves as a delightful first step—quite literally—into the world of classical dance. The goal? Introduce children to the magic of ballet while enchanting adults. This adaptation of the tale by Tchaikovsky and Charles Perrault keeps all the artistry and precision of the original while tailoring it to younger audiences, with costumes by Xavier Ronze and staging by Fabrice Bourgeois, both from the Paris Opera.
We follow Aurora in her far-off kingdom, twirling gracefully in sublime costumes before being cursed into eternal sleep by the fairy Carabosse. This version is shorter (2 × 40 minutes with intermission) and guided by narration from Clément Hervieu-Léger, General Administrator of the Comédie-Française. The idea? Make this classic tale—where a princess is awakened by her prince’s gentle kiss—accessible to all. The bonus? Karl Paquette himself plays the fairy Carabosse: a rare chance to see a former étoile dancer perform on stage.
Sleeping Beauty, part of the My First Ballet series at Théâtre Mogador, 25 rue de Mogador, Paris 9e. Until March 8. From €29.
Also discover the best shows to book before they sell out, and the must-see exhibitions of the season.
