Innovators & Icons
New York City Ballet
Friday • Jul 10, 2026 • 2:00pmSaturday • Jul 11, 2026 • 7:30pm
Celebrate 60 years of SPAC and New York City Ballet’s historic partnership with works by innovative and iconic choreographers both past and present.
Experience signature works and an exciting premiere! Get swept away by George Balanchine’s romantic masterpiece Serenade, first performed at SPAC in 1966 and known for its ethereal long blue tutus, then embark on a feverish journey with Jerome Robbins’ Opus 19/The Dreamer, returning to SPAC for the first time since 2008. The program closes with a new work by Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, which will have its world premiere as part of NYCB’s 2026 Spring Gala.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, February 25 at 10AM.
SPAC Member presale takes place February 16-24, tiered by membership level:
- President’s Circle, Premiere Patron, & Corporate Visionary: Monday, February 16 at 10AM
- Golden Patron, Corporate Innovator, & Corporate Pioneer: Thursday, February 19 at 10AM
- Patron, Corporate Leader, & Corporate Mentor: Friday, February 20 at 10AM
- Bravo & Encore: Monday, February 23 at 10AM
- Applause & Ovation: Tuesday, February 24 at 10AM
Not a member? Join today for presale access!
Program
Serenade
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky
Opus 19/The Dreamer
Choreography: Jerome Robbins
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
New T. Peck*
Choreography: Tiler Peck
Music: Édouard Lalo
*Indicates SPAC premiere
The first original ballet George Balanchine created in America, and one of New York City Ballet’s signature works, Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. Balanchine began the ballet as a lesson in stage technique and worked unexpected rehearsal events into the choreography; a student’s fall or late arrival to rehearsal became part of the ballet. First performed at SPAC during our inaugural season in 1966, Serenade is a romantic work of immense sweep, set to a transcendent Tschaikovsky score.
Set to Prokofiev’s feverish concerto, Opus 19/The Dreamer follows the main character on a journey to find an elusive and ethereal counterpart. Originally choreographed by Jerome Robbins in 1979 for Mikhail Baryshnikov and Patricia McBride, the ballet for 14 dancers is set to Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, which has become one of the most beloved works for violin in the classical repertoire. This enthralling ballet was last performed at SPAC in 2008.
Closing the program will be the SPAC premiere of a new work by NYCB Principal Dancer Tiler Peck, which will have its world premiere at the 2026 NYCB Spring Gala. Her second commission for New York City Ballet, the work follows her acclaimed Winter 2024 creation Concerto for Two Pianos. Widely recognized as one of the most versatile artists of her generation, Peck has choreographed for Boston Ballet, Northern Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and BalletX, and has credits spanning across Broadway, television, and film. The work will be set to Édouard Lalo’s score Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor, with costumes designed by Robert Perdziola and lighting designed by Brandon Stirling Baker.
New York City Ballet performance photos © Erin Baiano and Paul Kolnik.
Themed Performance Nights
Style Night @ SPAC — Saturday, July 11
Tiler Peck’s new piece, which closes out this program’s performance, will hold its world premiere at the NYCB Spring Gala, known for its glamorous fashion. Now it’s your turn to dress to impress for Style Night @ SPAC! Take a photo on the red carpet, enjoy the performance, and then dance the night away at an exhilarating After Party!
NYCB After Party — Saturday, July 11
Bring your style to the dance floor for an exclusive after party on the SPAC grounds! Celebrate the close of New York City Ballet’s summer season with live music on the Charles R. Wood Stage, fire pits, and a cash bar. In the event of rain, the party will be held inside the Hall of Springs.
Thank You to Our 2026 NYCB Summer Season Sponsors
Patron’s Patio Sponsor,
Adirondack Trust Company
Auto Sponsor, McGovern Automotive Group
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor, CDPHP
“Kids in Free” Co-Sponsor,
Fenimore Asset Management
Ways to Save
Multi-Program Package
Purchase two or more New York City Ballet and/or Philadelphia Orchestra programs and use promo code MORESPAC26 to save 10%!
Family Four Pack
Buy four amphitheater seats for $99!
Offer valid for ticket pricing levels 5-9 in the amphitheater.
Discount will apply automatically at checkout once cart contains (4) tickets comprising of (2 or 3) child tickets and (1 or 2) adult tickets.
Kids in Free
For New York City Ballet only — kids 16 and under are free on the lawn and 50% off in the amphitheater (with an accompanying adult ticketholder)!
$40 under 40
Individuals up to 40 years old can enjoy $40 tickets inside the amphitheater!
Offer valid for pricing levels 4-7, ticket must be picked up at will call with valid ID for proof of age.
SPAC Member Discount
SPAC Members save 15%-20%* on all New York City Ballet tickets! Not a member? Join today!
*Discount is tiered by membership level.
Student Discount
Students can enjoy $25 lawn tickets or 25% off amphitheater tickets (in pricing levels 3-6). Student discount will automatically be applied at checkout. The student must pick up tickets at the SPAC Box Office on the day of the event and show proof of student ID or enrollment.
Educator Rush Tickets
Educators receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid educator ID is required.
Military Rush Tickets
Active military members and veterans receive 10% off regular priced tickets. Tickets must be purchased in person on the day-of the event at the SPAC Box Office. Valid military ID is required.
Please note, only one discount is valid per ticket.
Group Sales
Experience SPAC together! From groups of friends and family to corporate outings, senior centers, summer camps, and arts schools, we can curate a special experience for your group of 10 or more. We offer discounts, flexible options and can work with your group leader to tailor your needs for a memorable day.
SPAC Amphitheater
Our main stage has a 25,000 person capacity with sheltered seats for 5,200 people and a sloping lawn for an additional 20,000 people.
SPAC Event Ground Rules
Applicable for SPAC-produced events only, including Saratoga Jazz Festival, New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and other special events.
Permitted Items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Umbrellas
- Please note: Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
- Lawn Chairs
- Please note: Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” in height when opened. Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
- Tents
- Please note: Tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Items Not Permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Lawn chairs over 43” in height when opened
- Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn as well as the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
- Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Professional audio or video recording equipment
- Cameras with detachable lenses
- Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
- Pets (except ADA approved service animals)
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Weapons of any kind
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Ground Rules
- Security Procedure – To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for SPAC visitors and staff, all bags will be inspected, and all personnel will be searched via metal detectors. Bags include but are not limited to coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Any item that is not permitted to come onto the SPAC grounds should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please ensure that all cigarette butts are disposed of properly.
- Guests are welcome to bring items such as blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you. If your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events. Guests must obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates prior to exiting the venue.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and citizenship. Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. If you are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please immediately report any concerns to SPAC staff or security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.
Amphitheater House Rules for Classical Performances
“House” refers to seating inside the amphitheater. House rules are applicable inside the amphitheater for SPAC-produced events.
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- As a courtesy to the performers and the audience, guests arriving after the performances begin will not be seated until the earliest appropriate opportunity in the performance at the discretion of the House Staff.
- Please turn off or silence all mobile devices prior to the start of the program. Texting and making calls in the theater is not allowed. Should an emergency arise in which you must use a mobile device, we ask that you step outside of the theater to avoid disturbing other guests.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.
All SPAC ground rules are subject to change. By entering the SPAC grounds, guests agree to abide by the rules listed above. Management reserves the right to modify these rules or can request to see the contents of any belongings brought on property at their discretion. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the utmost levels of safety and convenience for our guests and staff.
Where to Stay
Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or want to stay the night nearby after an event, Saratoga Springs has a place waiting for you. As part of our commitment to the community, SPAC is proud to collaborate with preferred hotel partners to offer the best experience to our guests.
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