The Nutcracker and Swan Lake in Istanbul: Dates for 2026–27

The Nutcracker in Istanbul runs through the Christmas weeks of 2026, and Swan Lake follows in January 2027. Two touring companies dance them, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company and the State Ballet of Georgia. A ballet needs no Turkish, so this is an easy night out for visitors. Below are the dates and the halls, and your tickets are arranged by us.

The Nutcracker in Istanbul: Dates and Halls

• Friday, December 18, 8:30 pm: Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Lütfi Kırdar, Anadolu Auditorium
• Saturday, December 19, 4:00 pm: Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Lütfi Kırdar
• Sunday, December 20, 4:00 pm: Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Lütfi Kırdar
• Thursday, December 24, 8:00 pm: State Ballet of Georgia, Zorlu PSM, Turkcell Sahnesi
• Friday, December 25, 8:00 pm: State Ballet of Georgia, Zorlu PSM
• Saturday, December 26, 2:30 pm: State Ballet of Georgia, Zorlu PSM

Swan Lake in Istanbul: Dates and Hall

• Saturday, January 9, 2027, 8:30 pm: Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Zorlu PSM, Turkcell Sahnesi
• Sunday, January 10, 2027, 7:00 pm: Imperial Russian Ballet Company, Zorlu PSM
• Friday, January 15, 2027, 8:30 pm: State Ballet of Georgia, Zorlu PSM
• Saturday, January 16, 2027, 2:30 pm: State Ballet of Georgia, Zorlu PSM

Which Company Should You Choose?

The Bolshoi soloist Gediminas Taranda founded the Imperial Russian Ballet Company in 1994. Its Nutcracker uses the choreography of Vasily Vainonen and a cast of 50, in two acts over about 1 hour 50 minutes. The State Ballet of Georgia dances with the Piu Symphony Orchestra, under David Mukeria for The Nutcracker and Levan Jagaev for Swan Lake. Both ballets are set to Tchaikovsky, so you hear the same score with either company.

The Nutcracker With Children

The Imperial company’s Nutcracker admits children from age 4, and its Swan Lake from age 6. The State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake also starts at age 4, with under-14s coming in with their parents. The afternoon shows suit younger guests best. Tell us the ages in your group, and we match you to the right date. Our page on Christmas in Istanbul has more for the same week.

Getting to the Hall on Time

Lütfi Kırdar stands in Harbiye, a short walk north of Taksim Square. Zorlu PSM sits inside Zorlu Center at Zincirlikuyu, where the metro and the metrobus connect directly. The halls are strict about the start, and the Imperial company’s shows admit no one after the curtain rises. So we plan to have you at the door at least 30 minutes early, with our driver waiting for the ride back.

Your Ballet Night in Istanbul With Us

We arrange your tickets through our connections. Choose just the seats, or our Istanbul concert night with dinner and the transfer around the curtain time. Which ballet, and which date, would you like? Send us your group size, and we will plan the evening.