Acclaimed Varna International Ballet launches 2026 UK Tour

Varna International Ballet and Orchestra returns to the UK in 2026, with its most extensive tour to date. Presented by RG Live, Varna International Ballet brings beloved classics Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and, new for 2026, Cinderella, to 23 venues around the UK from Tuesday 6 January to Saturday 14 March 2026.

Founded in 1947 and renowned for its award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and abroad with performances of the highest quality. Led by Artistic Director Daniela Dimova, the company presents much-loved classics to charm audiences who are new to ballet and balletomanes alike. The performances are accompanied by live music from the Varna International Ballet Orchestra, led by Azat Maxutov, Music Director and Chief Conductor.

The tour begins in Manchester on Tuesday 6 January 2026, and visits Liverpool, Nottingham, Buxton, Bradford, Glasgow, Darlington, Brighton, Southend, Oxford, Leicester, Bournemouth, Wimbledon, Ipswich, Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Reading, Hull, Blackpool, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, York, and Torquay. Full tour details are below.

Full tour details:
MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall
bridgewater-hall.co.uk
6 Jan Swan Lake 7pm
7 Jan Nutcracker 2pm
7 Jan Swan Lake 7pm

LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre
8 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
9 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
10 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 7.30pm

NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
trch.co.uk
12 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
13 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
14 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 7.30pm

BUXTON Opera House
buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
16 Jan Swan Lake 7pm
17 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
18 Jan Swan Lake 2pm

BRADFORD Live
bradfordlive.co.uk
19 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
17 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
18 Jan Swan Lake 2pm

GLASGOW SEC – Armadillo
sec.co.uk
23 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
24 Jan Nutcracker 2pm
24 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm

DARLINGTON Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
25 Jan Swan Lake 2pm & 5.30pm
26 Jan Nutcracker 7.30pm
27 Jan Cinderella 7.30pm

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal
29 Jan Cinderella 7.30pm
30 Jan Nutcracker 7.30pm
31 Jan Swan Lake 2.20pm & 7.30pm

SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
thecliffspavilion.co.uk
1 Feb Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
8 Mar Swan Lake 2pm & 5.30pm

OXFORD New Theatre
2 Feb Cinderella 7.30pm