Featured photo by Heidi De Vries on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Every December, San Francisco’s performing arts calendar tilts a little more glittery the moment Smuin’s Christmas Ballet returns. It’s one of those rare holiday traditions that never calcifies—it adapts, it expands, it reinvents itself while keeping all the warmth of the original. For longtime locals, the opening notes feel like a familiar toast; for newcomers, it’s a discovery that makes winter in the Bay feel a little brighter.
This year brings new works from Julia Adam, Amy Seiwert, and SF Ballet’s Myles Thatcher—three choreographic voices who know how to stretch tradition without snapping it.
And yes, Santa Baby still struts in to close the night, as fabulously over the top as ever. Even after all these years, that final saunter gets the same delighted gasp across venues from San Francisco to Walnut Creek.
What Makes Smuin’s Holiday Tradition So Enduring
The magic is in the balance. Smuin anchors Act I in elegance—lush classical lines, crisp musicality, and choreography that flatters every dancer’s artistry. But Act II is where the company gets playful. Suddenly you’re watching tap riffs, jazz-infused whimsy, comic interludes, and a few eyebrow-raising surprises that always feel cheeky without losing charm.
It’s exactly the kind of eclecticism that mirrors San Francisco itself: part high art, part irreverence, wholly committed to joy. The mix keeps audiences guessing, and the injection of new choreography each year keeps the show feeling fresh without sacrificing its signature sparkle.
A Showcase of Bay Area Choreographic Talent
Few productions highlight local voices as intentionally as Smuin’s holiday program. Adam, Seiwert, and Thatcher all bring distinct Bay Area sensibilities—intimate storytelling, emotional clarity, and a willingness to experiment. Their works land beautifully against the backdrop of classics that have shaped the company’s identity for decades.
For anyone who closely follows Bay Area dance (and this city has a devoted crowd), this show doubles as a snapshot of where local choreography is headed next.
Experiencing the Ballet Across the Bay
One of the joys of Smuin’s Christmas Ballet is that it doesn’t stay put. Performances move through multiple Bay Area venues—San Francisco, Mountain View, Carmel, Walnut Creek—making the tradition accessible no matter which corner of the Bay you call home.
The SF performances often draw a lively blend of longtime fans, families, and arts-loving neighbors catching the show before dinner on Hayes Street or after a stroll through Civic Center’s winter lights. Each venue brings its own flavor, but the energy stays the same: festive, openhearted, and humming with anticipation.
Insider Tips for Making the Most of It
- Arrive early: Smuin audiences love to linger in the lobby, and the pre-show buzz is half the fun.
- Check the lineup: New works rotate depending on venue and date.
- Dress however you celebrate: Some come sparkly, some cozy—both fit the vibe.
- Stay for the curtain call: The energy at the end is contagious, and Santa Baby’s exit always earns a roar.
Why Smuin’s Christmas Ballet Belongs to SF Culture
Holiday shows come and go, but Smuin’s succeeds because it captures something essential about December in San Francisco: a willingness to embrace tradition while still rewriting the script. It’s warm without being sentimental, celebratory without being predictable.
For many locals, the season doesn’t officially start until Smuin flips on the lights, cues the musicians, and lets the dancers carry us through two hours of pure seasonal delight. It’s the rare ritual that stays surprising year after year—and that’s exactly why we keep coming back.