DANCE ALONG
Family and sensory friendly dance along workshops
San Francisco Ballet offers Family Dance-Alongs and Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs throughout the season. 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. Learn more about our Sensory Friendly Programs here.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
2025–2026 SEASON DATES
NUTCRACKER DANCE-ALONGS
Sunday, December 21, 2025
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.
DON QUIXOTE DANCE-ALONGS
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Grab your castanets and step into 16th century Spain, complete with knights in shining armor, daring adventures, flamenco, and fun. Our Don Quixote Dance-Alongs are perfect for the whole family and will have you all laughing and dancing all day long.
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.
MORE INFORMATION
WHO'S 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.
LOCATION
Dance-Alongs take place in the SF Ballet building located at 455 Franklin Street. Check-in table is located at 455 Franklin Street; printed tickets are not required. Please do not go to the Opera House entrance.
DATES
Sunday, December 21, 2025 – Nutcracker
Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Don Quixote
TIMES
- 9:00–10:00 am: Family Dance-Along #1
- 10:15–11:15 am: Family Dance-Along #2
- 11:30–12:30 pm: Family Dance-Along #3
- 1:00–2:00 pm: Sensory Friendly Dance-Along #1, suggested for ages 5–12
- 2:30–3:30 pm: Sensory Friendly Dance-Along #2, suggested for ages 13–22+
COST
$25 per person, adults and children*
- Participants should wear comfortable clothes that allow for movement.
- Ballet shoes are not required.
- Participants are welcome to wear their favorite costumes.
- No prior dance experience is needed.
*If you would like to request financial assistance for our Dance-Along workshops, please email education@sfballet.org.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
All guests must have a ticket, regardless of age. We respectfully request that adults be accompanied by at least one child to participate in the workshops at 9 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:00 PM. 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.
**Ticket sales end at 5 PM the Friday before each workshop. All sales are final and are non-refundable. No cancellations. Exchanges, if allowed, are subject to pricing increases, restrictions, and fees.
QUESTIONS
Pam Sieck
Community Programs Coordinator
education@sfballet.org
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.