Swan Lake on Ice 2027 in Dubai

Swan Lake on Ice brings Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballet to Dubai Opera from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 January 2027, performed by The Imperial Ice Stars on an ice rink built on the stage. Presented by Dubai Opera, it swaps pointe shoes for blades, using the speed, height and glide of championship figure skating to retell the story of Odette, Prince Siegfried and the sorcerer Rothbart in about two hours and ten minutes, including a break.

The story of Swan Lake

Tchaikovsky composed Swan Lake in 1875 and 1876, and it premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1877. That first production was not a success, and it was the 1895 revival by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, with the score revised by Riccardo Drigo, that turned it into one of the most popular ballets of all time.

The plot is a classic fairy tale. Prince Siegfried falls in love with Odette, a princess turned into a swan by the sorcerer Rothbart. At a royal ball, Rothbart’s daughter Odile, the Black Swan, appears disguised as Odette, and Siegfried is tricked into pledging himself to the wrong woman. Endings vary from production to production, but the story always turns on love, deception and the cost of a broken promise.

Even if you have never seen the ballet, you will know the music. The haunting Swan Theme and the brisk Dance of the Little Swans are among the most recognisable pieces in classical music, and this production uses a fresh interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s score.

Who are The Imperial Ice Stars?

The Imperial Ice Stars are a touring company of figure skaters who perform full-length ballet stories on ice. The 24 skaters in this production compete or have competed at Olympic, World, European and National Championship level, and between them they hold more than 250 medals. The choreography is by Tony Mercer, a leading ice director, who created new choreography for this version of the ballet.

Alongside Swan Lake on Ice, the company has toured Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Cinderella on Ice and Nutcracker on Ice, and has played some of the world’s best-known stages, including the London Palladium, the Royal Albert Hall, Singapore’s Esplanade, Montreal’s Place des Arts and Artscape in Cape Town. Swan Lake on Ice has been billed on its tours as the company’s award-winning masterpiece, and it has collected five-star reviews from critics and audiences along the way.

What to expect on the ice

This is not a traditional ballet copied onto a rink. The production is built around what skaters can do that dancers cannot: travel at speed across the whole stage, spin at full tilt and lift partners high into the air while still moving. Expect:

• Sweeping skating and dramatic lifts, including aerial moves and moments inspired by contemporary circus
• Intricate ensemble sequences, with the corps of swans gliding in formation
• Stagecraft such as snowfall, atmospheric fog, pyrotechnic effects and detailed costumes

Performances run over four days, with times depending on the show you choose, so check your ticket for the exact start.

Good to know at Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera sits on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, and for this run an ice rink is created on its stage. The building opens two hours before each show and the auditorium doors open 30 minutes before the start.

• Age: children under 4 are not admitted to the main auditorium. Everyone aged 4 and over needs a ticket, and under-18s must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
• Dress code: overly casual or provocative clothing, such as shorts or flip-flops, is not permitted, and guests who do not comply will be refused entry.
• Latecomers: may have to wait for a suitable break before being seated, so aim to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
• Food and drink: no outside food or drink, and no eating or drinking in the auditorium at any time, including the interval.
• Tickets: no refunds or exchanges for personal circumstances, and recording is not allowed unless authorised.

By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, then walk for about 10 minutes or take a short taxi. By car, exit Sheikh Zayed Road at Financial Center Road and follow signs for Downtown Dubai.

Who it suits

Swan Lake on Ice is a strong choice for families with children aged 4 and over, ballet lovers curious to see a classic in a new form, and skating fans. At just over two hours with an interval, it is a manageable length for younger audiences, and the lifts, snowfall and effects give children plenty to watch even if the story is new to them.

For more ideas, see our shows and theatre and kids events guides, things to do in Dubai and things to do in January.