Dance Alongs
Family and sensory friendly dance along workshops
Share the wonder of ballet with your family and experience the joy of dancing together. Led by SF Ballet’s Professional Teaching Artists and SF Ballet School Faculty Members, our interactive 60-minute Dance-Along workshops explore the story, choreography, music, and characters of some of Ballet’s most beloved productions, through hands-on activities that unlock the magic of a ballet performance.
About Dance Alongs
Participants are guided through a fun ballet warm-up and dance-along choreography based on a story ballet that SF Ballet is performing on the Opera House stage. Family members of all ages and abilities are invited to dance. Following the dance-along experience, participants are invited to explore arts and crafts activities, take photos with dancers, try on a tutu, and more!
Our Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs, designed in partnership with Autism Fun Bay Area, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, and College of Adaptive Arts, provide a dedicated and relaxed environment for children and adults of varying physical and cognitive abilities to experience ballet on their own terms. These interactive workshops offer a guided dance class specifically tailored to the sensory and behavioral needs of the participants, as well as tactile activities, take home crafts, and a quiet space for sensory breaks.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Family Dance-Alongs are recommended for families with children ages 3–7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs are open to all ages and abilities and aim to reach a neurodiverse audience.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
2025-2026 SEASON DATES
Stay tuned fall 2025 for upcoming workshop schedule.
LOCATION
SF Ballet
455 Franklin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Participants should wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement and are welcome to wear their favorite costume. Ballet shoes are not required. No prior dance experience is needed; all bodies and physical abilities welcome. A quiet room and family restrooms will be available and accessible at all times.
*All guests must have a ticket. We respectfully request that adults be accompanied by at least one child to participate in the workshops. To ensure the safety of minor participants, all minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For our adult fans of ballet, we offer separate adult classes and adult education workshops, learn more about our Adult Programs here.
By participating in this event, you authorize SF Ballet to take photographs and videos of you and your family during the workshop. You permit the use of any such photographic reproductions for any purpose, including but not limited to educational and public media, and understand that you may be identifiable from such electronic reproduction.
QUESTIONS
Pam Sieck
Community Programs Coordinator
education@sfballet.org
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PAST WORKSHOPS
NUTCRACKER DANCE-ALONG
Step into Clara’s magical winter wonderland full of toy soldiers, twirling snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and more! Move to the choreography, discover the music, learn about costumes and pointe shoes, and enjoy hands-on arts and craft activities.
SWAN LAKE DANCE-ALONG
Dive into one of Ballet’s greatest love stories and most recognizable scores at our Swan Lake Dance-Alongs. Participants will spread their wings like swans, dance like princes and princesses, and cast magical spells as they explore this beloved classic.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM DANCE-ALONG
Enter Shakespeare’s enchanted forest of whimsy, mistaken identity, and jest—where fairies rule, magic abounds, and love reigns supreme. Our A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dance-Alongs are a delight for all ages and will have your family fluttering like fairies all day long.
Discover More
SENSORY FRIENDLY NUTCRACKER Performances
December 28, 11am
A relaxed and welcoming space where neurodiverse audiences of all ages and abilities can feel comfortable to experience the magic of Nutcracker.