10am – 4pm.
Ticketing FAQs
Where is the Opera House and what is the best way to get there?
At what age is it appropriate to bring a child to the Ballet?
What’s the difference between a full-length ballet program and a mixed-rep program?
My seat numbers are 1 and 3. Are these seats together?
Are there discounts for students and seniors?
Should I have my tickets mailed to me or arrange to pick them up at Will Call?
Where do I pick up Will Call tickets?
Is the Opera House wheelchair accessible?
My online purchase did not complete. What should I do?
Will I get the best seats if I purchase online? Can I select specific seats?
Where is the Opera House and what is the best way to get there?
The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street in the Civic Center and is easily accessible by MUNI, BART, and other transit systems. It is a 10-15 minute walk from the Civic Center BART station or the MUNI Metro Van Ness station or buses on Market Street and Van Ness Avenue.
Traffic delays and parking can be unpredictable, so plan to arrive early to assure a relaxed, enjoyable experience. If your tickets are at Will Call, it is best to be at the Box Office 45 minutes prior to the performance because the lines to pick up tickets can be long.
If you have your tickets in hand, you need to allow plenty of time for traffic delays and parking. Entering the Opera House about 20 minutes before the performance should give you time to get to your seat and to have a look at your program book before the curtain goes up.
Pre-performance “people-watching” is more fun than last minute dashing and the Opera House is a beautiful place for it. Latecomers will be asked to stand until a break in the program.
You should wear whatever you like! You will see people attired in a wide range of dress. Many come from work in business attire and many attend wearing jeans. If you are looking for an opportunity to wear that new cocktail dress or the beautiful Italian suit you purchased while traveling, there will be others dressed up, as well.
At what age is it appropriate to bring a child to the Ballet?
Many children over the age of four can remain happily and quietly seated for a two-hour performance but you know your child best. Nutcracker is an excellent introduction for children. Please note that everyone entering the theater must have a ticket, no matter how young or old. Parents will be asked to remove children creating a disturbance during the performance. No infants or toddlers, please.
What’s the difference between a full-length ballet program and a mixed-rep program?
Ballet is similar to opera in that many ballet productions are based on stories that unfold over one to three acts during the course of an evening. Nutcracker, Sylvia, and Swan Lake, are full-length ballets that follow a story line.
A mixed repertory program has something for everyone. It’s a selection of three or four unrelated works that make up an evening of entertainment. The individual works may be based on a story, relationship or an abstract idea that evolves throughout the piece. A mixed repertory program can be an excellent introduction to ballet because of this variety.
My seat numbers are 1 and 3. Are these seats together?
Yes. Seats on the left side of the theater are odd-numbered and seats on the right side are even-numbered, with a few exceptions. Seats in the center section of Grand Tier Center and Balcony Circle are numbered consecutively from seat 101-114. Center Boxes are consecutively numbered 1-8, with three seats in the first row, three seats in the second row and two seats in the third row.
Are there discounts for students and seniors?
For Nutcracker, there are no discounts for children, students, seniors or US military personnel.
During the Repertory Season (February to May), full-time students can often purchase tickets for the same day’s performance for as little as $10-20, subject to availability.
Also, during the Repertory Season (February to May) military personnel and seniors (68 and older) can often purchase tickets for the same day’s performance for only $30, subject to availability.
A current I.D. showing proof of full-time student enrollment, age or military status is required at the time of purchase and pick up of tickets and is valid for two tickets.
Call 415.865.2000 or visit the Ballet Box Office in the Opera House from the time the Box Office opens until one hour before the performance and purchase tickets for that day's performance at an incredible discount. Discounted tickets need to be purchased and picked up at least one hour before the performance starts.
Please keep in mind that some performances sell out in advance, especially Sunday matinees and Full-Length ballets such as Swan Lake. Only two discount tickets per I.D. Seating selection is at the discretion of the Ticket Office.
Remember these great deals are not available during the hour prior to the performance, so call and arrive early!
The SF Ballet Box Office is located in the War Memorial Opera House at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street and is open only on performance dates. The Ballet Box Office opens on performance Tuesdays – Fridays at noon and Saturdays and Sundays at 10am. For information, please call 415.865.2000.
Should I have my tickets mailed to me or arrange to pick them up at Will Call?
When time allows, it is best to have the tickets mailed to you in order to review the tickets when they arrive. Be sure to check the day, date, and time of performance, as well as the number of tickets.
Will Call is the option when the performance is less than a week away. Please allow plenty of time for traffic delays, parking lots lines, and a line to pick up will call tickets as latecomers will be asked to stand in the back until an appropriate break in the program to be seated. Or take public transportation as it is just a short walk from the BART/Muni Civic Center Station.
Where do I pick up Will Call tickets?
Will Call tickets are held at the Ballet Box Office located in the lobby of the War Memorial Opera House where the performances take place. The Ballet Box Office is open only on performance days.
Is the Opera House wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The Opera House has accessible seating on the Orchestra and Dress Circle levels. Call 415.865.2000 for more information or to order accessible seating.
My online purchase did not complete. What should I do?
If you haven’t yet entered your payment, simply try again. If you entered your credit card number, but did not receive a confirmation number, it’s best to email us at sfbtickets@sfballet.org or phone us at 415.865.2000.
Ordering online or by phone offer the best selection and service especially for Nutcracker because tickets sell quickly. Tickets may be purchased through the website, by phone, fax and mail. All Internet, phone, mail, and fax orders incur a handling fee of $8 per order. Please allow two to three weeks for mail and fax orders to be processed.
The phone number to call is 415. 865.2000 and the hours are Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. On performance dates, the phones open at 10am and remain open until the performance begins.
The Box Office in the Opera House is open on performance dates only from noon until the first intermission. The Ballet Box Office opens at noon Tuesday - Friday and at 10am Saturday and Sunday, and remains open through the first intermission. The Box Office cannot handle exchanges and future sales during the hour prior to each performance or during intermission.
Will I get the best seats if I purchase online? Can I select specific seats?
You may select specific seats from all available inventory online except for a small number of limited view seats that are sold only through the ticket office. You may also speak with a ticket sales representative when you are looking for specific seating locations, have special access needs or if you have a special request.