Russian State Ballet on Ice brings The Nutcracker and Swan Lake to Guangzhou

The Saint Petersburg State Ballet on Ice, one of the world's leading ice ballet companies, will conclude the 2026 Guangzhou Arts Season with two eternal classics at the Guangzhou Opera House.

The company will perform The Nutcracker on July 30 and 31, followed by Swan Lake on August 1, blending classical ballet with figure skating.

Founded in 1967, the Saint Petersburg State Ballet on Ice is one of the few companies able to stage full-length classical ballets on ice. More than 40 performers will appear in Guangzhou, including champions at Russian and international figure skating competitions, former members of Russia's national figure skating team and recipients of the honorary title Master of Sports of Russia.

Stage photos of The Nutcracker

Stage photos of The Nutcracker

Unlike traditional ballet, ice ballet combines the elegance of classical dance with the speed, athleticism and technical precision of figure skating. Led by Konstantin Rassadin, a Merited Artist of Russia, the company has refined the art form for decades.

Guangzhou Opera House will turn its Opera Hall into an indoor ice theater. Nearly 10 metric tons of water will be frozen over 24 hours to create a 14-by-14-meter rink about five centimeters thick, providing the performers with a professional skating surface.

Set to Tchaikovsky's celebrated scores, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake deliver a spectacular visual feast, with dazzling spins, graceful lifts and fluid glides bringing the beloved classics to life on ice.