Philadelphia—alive with culture and home to the esteemed Philadelphia Ballet—has long been a destination for exceptional dance. Since its founding in 1963, the company has grown into the region’s largest and most renowned ballet organization. Now, Ballet of Lights once again shines a spotlight on that legacy. This brilliant production honors the city’s rich ballet history while embracing contemporary innovation, fusing the elegance of classical movement with luminous costumes. Showcasing remarkable artistry and vibrant imagination, it offers a fresh, radiant take on what a ballet performance can be
What is Ballet of Lights?
In Ballet of Lights Philadelphia, the beloved fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella are reimagined in a luminous new way. This performance distills the magic of a three-hour ballet into a shorter hour long performance, for a more family-friendly experience. A small cast of five or six dancers performs original choreography, their every step illuminated by costumes embedded with light, amplifying emotion, mood, and storytelling. The fusion of timeless dance traditions with cutting-edge technology creates a spellbinding visual journey.
Ballet of Lights in Philadelphia: Which story is being performed now?
Ballet of Lights in Philadelphia shines bright with two dazzling stories being performed, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Performances of these fairy tales are designed for everyone age 5 and up.
Cinderella
Cinderella has captivated audiences for centuries, from ancient Greek legends to Charles Perrault’s celebrated 1697 tale of glass slippers. Ballet of Lights carries that legacy forward in a performance with a carefully curated setlist, featuring classics like Dance Macabre by C. Saint-Saens, and Debussy’s Clair de lune. Staying true to the heart of Perrault’s story while reimagining it through modern artistry, five or six dancers illuminate the stage in glowing costumes, each step, gesture, and emotion weaving together into a breathtaking new vision of this timeless fairy tale.
Sleeping Beauty
From medieval tales like Perceforest to Perrault’s famous Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, this story of enchantment has charmed audiences for centuries. In Ballet of Lights, it comes alive anew—a princess in a spellbound sleep, a kingdom frozen in time, and love’s courage breaking the curse. The dream is brought to life against the sweep of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, immersing audiences in a world where light and movement awaken the magic.
Reviews of Ballet of Lights
Wonderful, lovely display of so much talent. — November 2025
Oh my goodness we loved it so much! Magical!! — November 2025
It was a lovely experience to share with my granddaughter and her other “Yaya”! — November 2025
Fantastic show. The venue was nice and comfortable. The performance was beautiful and entertaining. Fever productions continue to be a favorite event to seek out. — November 2025
Very wondrous! — November 2025
