FIRST TIME AT THE BALLET?
WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
We want your first experience at San Francisco Ballet to be exceptional. Check out these helpful tips to enjoy all that the Ballet and the Opera House have to offer.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Is there a dress code?
Dancers are in costume, but you don’t have to be. You will see people in gowns and others in jeans. Wear what you like and what makes you comfortable.
What happens if I'm late?
Out of respect for the audience and artists, there is no seating once the performance begins. Our ushers can only direct you to your seat when there is a break in the program, which may not be until an intermission, so please try to arrive early. You are also welcome in Standing Room or can relax with food and drink and watch the performance on a monitor in one of our bars.
What if I'd like something to drink?
No matter where you sit in the Opera House, there’s a bar nearby, and you can even order ahead and have your drink waiting for you at intermission. See your options here.
WAIT – I NEED MORE INFO
You don’t need to understand ballet to enjoy it, but if you do want to know more, we have many ways to expand your experience before, during, and after a performance:
- Attend one of our Meet the Artist interviews, read your program book, or see our tips for watching ballet.
- Bring a friend to chat with during intermission about what you liked.
- Take your experience to the next level and sign up for a class or workshop.
Attending a performance is the perfect time to relax and connect with friends and family.
Ballet has a rich history, and is for everyone: young, wise, and in-between! We do recommend most of our performances for ages 8 and up, and Nutcracker for ages 5 and up.
The Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness across from City Hall. We encourage you to take BART or MUNI, both of which have nearby stops. But if you do drive, the Performing Arts Garage and the Civic Center Plaza Garage are both nearby.
There are many places to dine or shop in our neighborhood or in the Opera House. And there are many perfect spots for a photo at any given turn.
- The performance starts on time, so arrive early.
- Most performances are divided into three parts: either three acts when a ballet tells a story, or three separate dances when it’s a mixed-bill performance.
- There is an intermission between each act or piece, usually lasting between 15 and 20 minutes. Use this time to run to the bathroom, grab a drink, or both.
- You’ll know you need to return to your seat when the bells chime. They’ll ring eight, four, and two minutes before the curtain goes back up.
At the symphony or the opera, you might be expected to hold your applause until the end, but not so at the ballet! A long tradition of balletomanes—people obsessed with the ballet or specific dancers; think of them like Dubs Nation for ballet companies—made it acceptable to clap if you see something impressive. And even cheering is ok once the dancers are taking a bow—but these days we ask you to refrain from throwing flowers. It’s a safety hazard.
Contact Ticket Services at 415-865-2000, Mon–Fri, 10 am–4 pm, or email us.
