General News
11 December, 2025
Major arts coup: World-class ballet to grace Horsham’s City Oval
A scene usually reserved for Australia’s capital cities will grace the Wimmera in 2026, with the Australian Ballet set to perform Ballet Under the Stars in Horsham.
The free outdoor performance will take place at City Oval on Saturday, February 21, and is expected to draw a substantial crowd of locals and visitors.
While the local ballet fraternity is excited about the event being held locally, so too is the artistic director, David Hallberg.
"We’re so excited to bring Ballet Under the Stars to Horsham, the furthest this program has ever travelled in Victoria," he said.
"What excites me most is that the beauty of these works belongs in regional Victoria just as much as on our biggest stages.
"This program honours ballet’s traditions while looking to the future, with new works being performed in Australia for the first time.”
The performance will feature the elegance of 'The Sleeping Beauty Act III Polonaise' and 'Grand Pas', the ethereal beauty of La Bayadère’s 'Kingdom of the Shades', and the technical brilliance of the heritage piece 'Grand Pas Classique'.
The ballet will cap off a huge month at City Oval, with RegFest returning on February 7 and the Freestyle Kings Live on February 14.
“This is an amazing opportunity for everyone in our municipality and beyond to see these astounding performers beneath the summer sky at our own Recreation Reserve,” said mayor Brian Klowss.
“We are delighted to host our national ballet company, and to invite visitors from across the wider region to join us for this unique event, an unforgettable magical evening under the stars.”
Horsham’s Avenue Dance Studio will be hosting the group at the Firebrace Street studio in the lead-up to the event for a warm-up.
Studio owner Louise Ryan noted the amazing opportunity would allow students to engage with professional dancers and develop new skills under the guidance of Australian ballet performers.
"Giving country students the opportunity for experiences that they would not normally be able to access unless in the city," she added.
"The Australian Ballet has always been encouraging and makes students feel comfortable."
In another coup for the region, The Australian Ballet Education and Outreach program is inviting participants to take part in the curtain raiser for the event.
Rehearsals will take place in January, before students take to the stage ahead of the February event.
It is also expected, although not confirmed, that alongside the curtain-raiser event, the program will run community events, including Dancing Stories (ages three to five), adult ballet (ages 18 plus), and ballet for seniors (60 plus).
Attendees of Ballet Under the Stars can purchase drinks and food from on-site vendors or bring their own picnics.
Event information and registration for complimentary tickets are available at https://australianballet.com.au/performances/ballet-under-the-stars.
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