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From 22nd June
This summer, Covent Garden has partnered with The Royal Ballet School to honour the institution's centenary year through a Piazza takeover, inspired by 100 years of ballet. Enjoy daily screenings of Royal Ballet School students in class and on stage on Covent Garden’s Big Screen, plus installations, exclusive merchandise and more. The Piazza has transformed into an immersive hub of dance and creativity with screenings of student choreography showcases, dance-inspired films and interactive experiences.
From 22nd June
Covent Garden and The Royal Ballet School will come together this summer for a landmark Piazza takeover marking the School’s centenary year, transforming one of London’s most iconic public spaces into an open-air celebration of ballet, performance and creativity.
Founded in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, The Royal Ballet School has shaped generations of world class dancers and remains at the forefront of shaping the next century of classical ballet. Located in the heart of Covent Garden alongside the Royal Ballet & Opera House, the School has played a defining role in the neighbourhood’s cultural identity and artistic heritage.
What's On The Summer Screen
See how the Royal Ballet School has shaped the future of ballet for the last 100 years with daily open-air screenings of student choreography, performances and classes.
Tuesday 23rd June
15:45 - Student performance: Solos Evening 2026
16:35 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2023 at the Linbury Theatre
17:30 - Film: An American in Paris (1951)
19:40 - Summer Performance 2025: Upper School students at Opera Holland Park
Wednesday 24th June
11:00 - Contemporary Class: 1st Year students taught by Sean Wood
12:30 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2024 at the Linbury Theatre
13:55 - Summer Performance 2025: White Lodge students at Opera Holland Park
15:05 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2023 at the Linbury Theatre
16:00 - Ballet Class - Pre-professional Year Taught by Denzil Bailey
17:30 - Film: Ballerina (2016)
19:15 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2025 at the Linbury Theatre
Thursday 25th June
11:00 - Student Choreography: Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer 2026
12:25 - Ballet Class: Pre-professional Year taught by Denzil Bailey
13:45 - Student choreography: Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer 2025
14:45 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2024 at the Linbury Theatre
16:10 - Contemporary Class: 1st Year students taught by Sean Wood
17:30 - Film: Step Up (2006)
19:30 - Student choreography: Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer 2023
20:45 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2023 at the Linbury Theatre
Friday 26th June
11:00 - Student Performance: Solos Evening 2026
11:55 - Student choreography: Frederick Ashton Emerging Choreographer 2024/2025
13:10 - 2026 Summer Performance rehearsals: with Zenaida Yanowsky
14:15 - Student choreography: Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer 2025
15:45 - Student performance: Next Generation Festival 2025 at the Linbury Theatre
17:30 - Film: Mary Poppins (1964)
19:20 - Summer Performance 2025: Upper School students at Opera Holland Park
Saturday 27th June
11:00 - Student Performance: Next Generation Festival 2025 at the Linbury Theatre
12:30 - Live Participation - Learn some ballet steps with the Royal Ballet School!
13:15 - Student Performance: Next Generation Festival 2023 at the Linbury Theatre
14:00 - Live Participation: Learn some ballet steps with the Royal Ballet School!
14:40 - 2026 Summer Performance rehearsals: with Zenaida Yanowsky
15:30 - Live Participation: Learn some ballet steps with the Royal Ballet School!
16:10 - Ballet Class: Pre-professional Year taught by Denzil Bailey
17:30 - Film: Billy Elliot The Musical (2014)
20:30 - Student Performance: Next Generation Festival 2024 at the Linbury Theatre
'A Century of Becoming' Installation
Live until mid September
In celebration of The Royal Ballet School’s centenary, Covent Garden has commissioned sculptural paper artist Pauline Loctin to create a new landmark aerial installation inspired by 100 years of The Royal Ballet School. The large-scale artwork will be suspended within the historic Market Building, transforming the iconic Central Avenue into an immersive celebration of movement, grace and artistic expression. Drawing on the beauty and fluidity of dance, the installation will invite visitors to look skyward and experience ballet reimagined through sculpture in the heart of London’s West End.
Ballet in Bloom
West Piazza, by the VyTA entrance
Discover Ballet in Bloom, a floral installation by Covent Garden’s Head Horticulturalist, Kenny Wilding-Raybould, in celebration of The Royal Ballet School's centenary year.
A Piazza-Wide Experience
20th-28th June
As part of the celebrations, award-winning winemaker Chapel Down will be popping up on the Covent Garden Piazza, with a picnic-style setting for guests to stay, sip and enjoy the programme of activities.
Coinciding with English Wine Week, drinks will be available alongside a curated menu from the Market Building's Courtyard Wine Cellars, featuring a selection of afternoon tea treats and charcuterie, expertly paired with Chapel Down wines.
Landmark Installations
The celebration will also feature a new sculpture created by former English National Ballet dancer and artist Amber Hunt. The ‘Strength and Grace Butterfly’, crafted from pointe shoes previously worn by Amber and other dancers from the institution, creating a symbolic connection between The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future.
Celebrating Culture
Covent Garden’s connection to ballet and performance extends beyond the Piazza itself, with a number of landmarks tied to the history of dance across the area including:
Enzo Plazzotta’s life size bronze sculpture, “The Young Dancer” on Broad Court
A historical blue plaque honouring Dame Margot Fonteyn, one of the School’s alumni who is widely regarded as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation, on Long Acre
The “Bridge of Aspiration” suspended above Floral Street, the architectural landmark connecting The Royal Ballet School with the Royal Ballet & Opera House, symbolising the journey from student to professional dancer.
En Pointe Sweet Treats
Discover a line-up food, drink and lifestyle pop-ups including matcha icons, TOKKIA, and American-style cookie brand Blondies Kitchen.
Highlights will include a black sesame matcha from TOKKIA named the 'Black Swan Matcha', inspired by legendary ballet Swan Lake and featuring a feather-like black-and-white design, while Blondies Kitchen pink strawberry shortcake “Sugar Plum Fairy” cookie will be available exclusively to Covent Garden.
Alternatively, take a break from the activities and indulge in a theatre-style interval ice cream!
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Extend Your West End Visit
Don't let the celebrations end early! Discover the best seats the West End has to offer for less when booking award-winning musicals and plays with our official ticket partner, London Theatre Direct. Explore offers on the hottest shows from just £20.
You can also enjoy exclusive dining and shopping perks in Covent Garden when you present your West End theatre ticket with our 'Showtime Specials'.
