5 Oct 2026
The 18th World Ballet Festival (30 July - 16 August 2027)
Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS) is delighted to present the 18th World Ballet Festival from Friday 30 July to Monday 16 August 2027 in Japan.
When the World Ballet Festival was first introduced in 1976 under the leadership of Tadatsugu Sasaki, Founder of Japan Performing Arts Foundation, it was very rare for star dancers of different companies or countries to share the stage. Its first edition caused an international sensation by bringing together 26 world-leading dancers including three legends, Margot Fonteyn from the UK, Maya Plisetskaya from the Soviet Union and Alicia Alonso from Cuba.
Since then, held triennially in Japan, it has become one of the most prestigious and largest international ballet festivals. In summer 2027, leading dancers from around the world will gather again to perform a wide array of ballets from classic to contemporary.
Festival details including ticket information, programs and participating artists will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. Until then, mark your calendars!
The curtain call at the 17th World Ballet Festival in 2024
photo: Kiyonori Hasegawa
Performance Dates
Performances of a full-length ballet
Friday 30 July - Sunday 1 August 2027
Program A
Thursday 5 August - Sunday 8 August 2027
Program B
Wednesday 11 August - Monday 16 August 2027
*Information as of 5 October 2026 is subject to change.
Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS)
