A Midsummer Night's Dream Pre-Performance Information

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Pre-Performance Information

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP

We look forward to seeing you at A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Below are some helpful tips to make the most out of your experience before, during, and after a performance. The curtain goes up on time. We encourage you to arrive early. Doors open one hour prior to curtain. Please plan to arrive at least one hour early to account for parking and traffic delays due to other events happening in the area. Consider enjoying a pre-performance meal in Hayes Valley to ensure a stress-free performance.

GETTING HERE

The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue, at the corner of Grove Street in the San Francisco Civic Center neighborhood. The War Memorial Opera House is BARTable—the nearest BART station is conveniently located at Civic Center Station, a 10-minute walk from the Opera House. We encourage you to take public transit, but the Opera House is close to several nearby parking garages.

Walking Groups to Civic Center Bart/Muni and Civic Center Garage (evening performances only): We offer two walking groups led by Civic Center Ambassadors identified by their orange jackets. Groups will meet at the front steps the main entrance 15 minutes after the performance ends.

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INSIDER TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

DANCE WITH THE FAIRIES IN YOUR OWN FLORAL WREATH

Watch the fairies dance on stage while wearing your own floral wreath. Imported from Spain and available to purchase for only $10 at the SF Ballet Shop. Visit the main Ballet Shop on the Mezzanine level of the Opera House pre-show and during intermission or visit our kiosk in the Main Lobby. The shop is open for one hour before curtain and during intermission. During weekend matinees, the shop stays open for an additional 30 minutes after the curtain comes down. You can also shop online at our Ballet Shop.

AVOID LINES AT THE INTERMISSION

Pre-order drinks before curtain. Visit the bar closest to your seating section and order your intermission drink from the bartender. Your drink will be waiting for you on the bar at the start of intermission.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND ENTER TO WIN A 2025 SEASON PACKAGE

This season when you attend the ballet and share your experience, you’ll be entered to win a 2025 Repertory Season package for two! Simply follow and tag us in your audience experience photos on Instagram: @sfballet. Excited? Learn more.

LATE SEATING POLICY

The curtain goes up on time. Late seating and re-entry aren’t allowed while a performance is in progress. We sympathize with latecomers, but for the safety of the performers and other patrons, you’ll be asked to stand and wait for a break in the action or watch on a monitor in one of our viewing areas.

VIEWING AREA

Viewing areas are available to watch the live performance from a monitor when you need to step out of the auditorium for a break without missing any of the action onstage. Monitors are located on the Lower Lounge Level Bar, North Box Restaurant, and Dress Circle Lobby (north).

More questions? Check out our FAQ page for answers.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

EARLY LOOK: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’S ENCHANTING COSTUMES

Christian Lacroix’s designs arrive from Paris.

Passing the torch to the next generation

MIDSUMMER IN SAN FRANCISCO

Passing the torch to the next generation

INSTANT EXPERT: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Balanchine and the Bard come to the Bay Area

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Adventures and misadventures. Mischief and magic.

ABOUT BALANCHINE’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Enter a magical, moonlit world . . .

THE STORY OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Shakespeare and Balanchine's beloved story of love in all its complicatedness

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Pre-Performance Information