Experience a magical twist on tradition right here in the City of Sails. Lighting up SkyCity with every performance, Ballet of Lights in Auckland transforms timeless stories with local dancers in glow-in-the-dark costumes. It’s a fitting stage—Auckland is where the New Zealand Ballet Company (now the RNZB) first began in 1953. Now, the city that sparked a national dance legacy hosts its next dazzling chapter!
Each season, audiences can take in the beauty and elegance of timeless ballets, from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty to Cinderella. Every graceful glide and triumphant arabesque shines bright thanks to the ballerina’s intricate costumes, making for a captivating spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Ballet of Lights in Auckland: Which story is being performed now?
Cinderella
Cinderella’s story traces its roots to centuries of folk traditions, made immortal by Charles Perrault’s 1697 version and countless retellings since. In this vivid reimagining for Ballet of Lights, the journey from hardship to enchantment plays out amid luminous costumes, synchronised lighting, and shimmering group scenes. Classical music — Tchaikovsky’s lyricism, Handel’s refinement, and Rossini’s verve — fuses with technology onstage, letting audiences witness Cinderella’s magical transformation in new light.
Sleeping Beauty
Originating from the fairy tales of Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, Sleeping Beauty endures as a cherished story in Western culture. Its narrative of enchantment, a malign curse leading to a long sleep, and a redemptive awakening stands as a powerful symbol of renewal and the victory of hope over adversity. Tchaikovsky’s legendary score serves as the emotional core of Ballet of Lights’ imaginative staging. Here, music and fibre-optic technology blend seamlessly, enhancing the expressive choreography and casting the princess’s journey in a radiant, dreamlike glow.
What is Ballet of Lights?
Luminous threads of story and stage come alive in Ballet of Lights, where timeless ballets like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella are reimagined for today’s audience. Five or six dancers, each adorned with fibre-optic costumes, weave streams of color and shadow across the stage, every step and gesture casting emotion into relief. The expressive art of ballet meets an engaging light show, producing an experience equally accessible to newcomers and lifelong fans, without the lengthy three-hour commitment classical productions require.
Ballet of Lights Reviews in Auckland
Ballet of Lights has already received countless five-star reviews in Auckland.
“Good value and a stunning performance. Beautiful ballet” – 31 January
“It was magical!” – 31 January
“Outstanding show” – 31 January
“Really great for the children as only 1 hour long . Lovely show” – 20 December
“A great show. I have seen it 4 times now and this one was the best yet! ” – 20 December
Each unique Ballet of Lights performance takes place at SkyCity Auckland on selected dates, with varied show times for Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Auckland’s audiences will find the show’s 60-minute format ideal for families and newcomers, with stories suitable for ages five and up. There’s something timeless about seeing a fairytale come to life — unlocking childhood memories with every scene.