Autumn is well and truly underway, and as you revel in the joys of wearing big jumpers, the return of Celebrity Traitors and it finally being cold enough to haul out the big duvet, chew on this: the run up to Christmas is also one of the best times to catch some culture in the capital.
After recovering from a sleepy summer in September, October is when things truly kick back into action. This month London has some crackers on stage, including Pam Tanowitz’s delightfully postmodern ‘Pastoral’ at the Barbican, the sultry adults-only ballet ‘Manon’ at the ROH, and Dance Umbrella, a stupendous contemporary dance festival taking over various venues throughout the month.
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute night out, or have been planning an evening at the theatre for months, these are the dance shows in London you should be booking this autumn.
India Lawrence is Time Out’s resident dance expert. She has been reviewing contemporary dance and ballet in London since 2022.
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Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ gets reimagined in this delightful work by renowned American choreographer Pam Tanowitz. Dancers in jaunty primary-coloured jumpsuits leap, twizzle and glide about the stage in Tanowitz’ signature abstract, modernist-inspired choreography, accompanied by a stripped back Beethoven score by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Painter Sarah Crowner also collaborated on this production, creating a set of glorious pastoral landscapes.
Where is it? Barbican Theatre
Northern Ballet is taking over the Linbury Theatre for for four days this autumn. Doing what it says on the tin, Three Short Ballets features a triple bill that includes two revivals and the London premiere of a brand new work by the multitalented New York City Ballet choreographer and principal dancer Tiler Peck. In ‘5 Tangos’, the late Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen, known for his stripped-back and storyless ballets, combines the poise of ballet with the passion of tango. In ‘Fools’ the Olivier Award-winning Mthuthuzeli November reimagines RL Peteni’s novel ‘Hill of Fools’, fusing ballet, contemporary and traditional South African dance.
Where is it? Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House
ENB brings an energetic triple bill to Sadler’s Wells that is guaranteed to put a pep in your step. First on the line-up is the OG of contemporary ballet – it’s Balanchine, who created the banger that is the 21-minute-long ‘Symphony in Three Movements’, set the the Stravinsky score. When this ballet premiered in 1972 Balanchine caused quite the stir by putting his dancers in leotards instead of tutus, and having their hair in ponytails instead of ballet buns. Quelle horreur! Also on the bill are two world premieres choreographed by Jae Man Joo and Micaela Taylor. Man Joo’s work is inspired by the poetry of William Blake, while Taylor’s ‘Bow Out’ takes its inspiration from the tap dancing of the Nicholas Brothers and Bil ‘Bojangles’ Robinson.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells
Taking place across The Place, Sadler’s Wells, the Barbican and online, the massive annual contemporary dance festival returns to London this October, bringing groundbreaking artists from South Africa, Brazil, Lebanon, Britain and the Netherlands. Spanning live performance, artist talks, film screenings and more, highlights include Dance is Not for Us at the Barbican Pit, a rare UK performance from Lyon-based Lebanese choreographer Omar Rajeh. Legendary British choreographer Akram Khan will be in conversation with Kevin O’Hare, director of The Royal Ballet alongside English National Ballet lead principal Erina Takahashi and first soloist James Streeter. South African dance artist and recipient of the 2026 Venice Biennale Silver Lion Mamela Nyamza will be in town to put on a brand new work at Sadler’s Wells East. Plus much more across the month.
Where is it? Various venues
Recognised as one of the Royal Ballet's signature works, Kenneth MacMillan's ‘Manon’ is very much a grown-up ballet. The story of a young woman torn between desire for her impetuous lover and the security of marrying a rich man, it's a real showcase for the dancers’ dramatic talents, as well as their dancing. Several dancers will make their principal debuts as Manon and Des Grieux including Mayara Magri, Cesar Corrales, and Patricio Revé. Marianela Núñez and Hugo Marchand will perform the roles on select dates.
Where is it? Royal Opera House
The internationally renowned dance-circus company Motionhouse comes to Sadlers Wells East. Known for their site-specific and multimedia productions using projections, Motionhouse combines thrilling and gravity-defying circus tricks with energetic contemporary choreography. Hidden explores how, in an increasingly divided world, light can come out of darkness in times of crisis.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells East
The veteran Black and Asian dance company Ballet Black turns a quarter of a century old this October. To celebrate the big Two-Five, Ballet Black is putting on a double bill at Sadler’s Wells. First up is the Olivier Award-winning Ignoma inspired by the South African miner’s strike, followed by the UK premiere of …all towards hope, a joyful tribute to the company choreographed by Alvin Ailey alumnus Hope Boykin.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells
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