The World of John Neumeier — Dance Festival
International Dance Festival with Bavarian State Ballet and Hamburg Ballet at the Festspielhaus
About World of John Neumeier
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John Neumeier — Choreographer of an Era
John Neumeier has shaped the international ballet scene like few others since the 1970s. Born in Milwaukee in 1939, he took over the Hamburg Ballet in 1973, which he led until 2024 — over fifty years during which he created more than 160 ballets. His oeuvre combines classical technique with dramatic depth and symphonic power. The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden honours his life's work with the festival "The World of John Neumeier" — bringing two leading German ensembles to Germany's largest ballet stage over eleven days.
October 2nd–4th — Bavarian State Ballet with "Illusions — like Swan Lake"
The Bavarian State Ballet opens the festival with Neumeier's radical reinterpretation of "Swan Lake". "Illusions — like Swan Lake" combines Tchaikovsky's music with the biography of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The Swan King appears as the Bavarian fairy-tale king himself, and the famous ballet gains a timeless tragic dimension. Three performances.
October 9th–11th — Hamburg Ballet with "The Nutcracker"
The finale belongs to the Hamburg Ballet itself — with Neumeier's version of "The Nutcracker" based on E. T. A. Hoffmann. Instead of a children's Christmas story, Neumeier tells Marie's coming-of-age story as an immersion into the world of theatre. Tchaikovsky's music in full symphonic splendour. Three performances.
Bundesjugendballett — "The Pursuit of Harmony"
On October 6th and 7th, the Bundesjugendballett — Europe's only professional youth ballet company, founded by John Neumeier — presents its new work "The Pursuit of Harmony". Young dancers from all over the world, at the beginning of their careers, with a highly contemporary piece about search and longing.
WINNDance and "Absprung"
WINNDance, the format by Marijn Rademaker and Slava Tutukin, brings international stars like Diana Vishneva and Edward Watson to the stage. The "Absprung" format is dedicated to award-winning young choreographers from the Hamburg Ballet School — offering a glimpse into the future of dance theatre.
Festspielhaus Baden-Baden — International Stage
Opened in 1998, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, with its 2,500 seats, is Germany's largest opera house and one of the most important international concert halls. Privately run and supported by a foundation, it combines top-tier acoustics with cost-optimized programming. The dance festival "The World of John Neumeier" is a highlight of the Festspielhaus season.
World of John Neumeier — edition 2026
Eleven Festival Days Dedicated to a Life's Work
The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden dedicates an eleven-day festival to John Neumeier — who left the Hamburg Ballet in 2024 after over 50 years. The festival opens with the Bavarian State Ballet from Munich performing "Illusions — like Swan Lake" (October 2nd, 3rd, 4th), Neumeier's famous reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" with references to the biography of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
This is followed by the Bundesjugendballett on October 6th and 7th with "The Pursuit of Harmony". WINNDance, under Marijn Rademaker and Slava Tutukin, brings international stars like Diana Vishneva and Edward Watson. The "Absprung" format provides a stage for young choreographers from the Hamburg Ballet School.
The finale is presented by the Hamburg Ballet with Neumeier's "The Nutcracker" on October 9th, 10th, and 11th — one of the company's most famous ballets.
Programme World of John Neumeier 2026
Program The World of John Neumeier 2026
October 1st, 2026 (Thursday)
- Festival opening with reception
October 2nd–4th, 2026 — Bavarian State Ballet
- "Illusions — like Swan Lake" (Choreography: John Neumeier, Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
- Three performances
October 6th–7th, 2026 — Bundesjugendballett
- "The Pursuit of Harmony" (Choreography: John Neumeier)
Between October 4th and 9th — WINNDance & Absprung
- WINNDance with Marijn Rademaker, Slava Tutukin, Diana Vishneva, Edward Watson
- "Absprung" — award-winning works by young choreographers from the Hamburg Ballet School
October 9th–11th, 2026 — Hamburg Ballet
- "The Nutcracker" (Choreography: John Neumeier, Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
- Three performances
Highlights World of John Neumeier 2026
- Eleven festival days dedicated to the life's work of John Neumeier
- Bavarian State Ballet with "Illusions — like Swan Lake"
- Hamburg Ballet with "The Nutcracker"
- Bundesjugendballett — Europe's only professional youth ballet company
- WINNDance with international stars like Diana Vishneva and Edward Watson
- Festspielhaus Baden-Baden as Germany's largest opera house (2,500 seats)
Prices World of John Neumeier 2026
Ticket prices vary depending on the performance and seating category. Gallery from approx. €39, centre stalls for Hamburg Ballet up to approx. €280. Advance sales began on October 2nd, 2025, at festspielhaus.de or by calling +49 7221/3013-101.
Practical information — World of John Neumeier
Getting There
By Train: Baden-Baden station, an ICE high-speed train stop, then take city bus line 201 (5 minutes) to the Festspielhaus "Beim Alten Bahnhof". By Car: Take the A5 motorway, exit Baden-Baden, and use the "Beim Alten Bahnhof" car park directly at the Festspielhaus.
Venue
Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Beim Alten Bahnhof 2, 76530 Baden-Baden.
Tickets
Advance sales began on October 2nd, 2025, at festspielhaus.de or by calling +49 (0) 7221/3013-101. Prices vary by performance and category, starting from approx. €39 (gallery) up to €280 (centre stalls for Hamburg Ballet).
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place World of John Neumeier
Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
Beim Alten Bahnhof 2, 76530 Baden-Baden