One of the dance world's most glittering nights is set to return in grand style as the Ballet Icons Gala prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary at the London Coliseum in February 2026.
A Landmark Celebration of Dance
Marking two decades of excellence, this prestigious event will once again gather the finest talents from the global ballet scene. For this special edition, the performances will be elevated by the live music of the English National Ballet Philharmonic Orchestra, adding a majestic sonic layer to the celebrations. The gala's founder and artistic director, Olga Balakeets, reflected on the milestone, noting the event began to honour the 80th birthday of legendary prima ballerina Maia Plisetskaya and now serves to showcase the new icons defining the art form today.
Star-Studded Cast and Premieres
The 2026 programme promises a breathtaking mix of classical and contemporary works. A significant highlight is a collaboration with New York's Vildwerk Foundation to present the UK premiere of 'Asylum', a piece by award-winning choreographer Antonia Franceschi that tackles the global environmental crisis.
Audiences can also anticipate world premieres, exclusive anniversary commissions, and works by renowned choreographers including Wayne McGregor, Angelin Preljocaj, and Jean-Christophe Maillot. The cast is a veritable who's who of international ballet, featuring principals from the world's leading companies:
- Marianela Núñez OBE, Vadim Muntagirov, Francesca Hayward & Fumi Kaneko (The Royal Ballet)
- Catherine Hurlin & Isaac Hernandez (American Ballet Theatre)
- Nicoletta Manni (La Scala Theatre Ballet)
- Maia Makhateli (Dutch National Ballet)
- Yana Salenko & Daniil Simkin (Berlin State Ballet)
- Paul Marque (Paris Opera Ballet)
Commemorating Two Decades of Excellence
Beyond the performances, the anniversary will be honoured with an exclusive photography exhibition capturing iconic moments from the gala's rich 20-year history. This visual retrospective will allow attendees to journey through the event's legacy, highlighting the stellar dancers and unforgettable pieces that have graced its stage.
As a cornerstone of the international dance calendar, the Ballet Icons Gala's 20th-anniversary edition is poised to be an unmissable spectacle. It reaffirms London's status as a global capital for the arts, bringing together unparalleled artistic vision, musical excellence, and the very best dancers of our generation for one extraordinary night.
