Free Behind the Scenes event at the Ballet: Open House Festival 2026 with English National Ballet
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Step behind the scenes of a world-class ballet Company 📍
See the inner workings of a professional ballet company, experience the magic of live dance and music, get up close to costumes and so much more. Feel more curious with the Open House Festival at English National Ballet this Autumn.
📋 What's On 📋
Throughout the day our doors will be open to all from 10am - 5pm.
You'll be welcomed into our home, the Mulryan Centre for Dance, in Canning Town and can enjoy a range of activities bringing you closer to the magic of dance.
🎟️ Attendance is completely free of charge 🎟️
You can enjoy watching professional classes and rehearsals, experience exceptional architecture with building tours, learn more through exhibitions and demos, and put on your dancing shoes with workshops for you to get involved with.
All bookings for ticketed parts of this event are done through Open House Festival website and booking will open on Wednesday 19 August, so be sure to check back to secure your spot on booked events then as spaces go very quickly!
📜 Read more to plan your day and find out what's on...
🩰 See the Company in action! 🩰
See our production studio in action and hear from English National Ballet Artists at the following times throughout the day:
10:00 Company Class
11:15 Dancer Rehearsal (With BSL Interpretation)
12:15 Dancer Rehearsal
13:30 ENB Philharmonic Orchestra
‼️ These events are drop in only (not bookable) and at busy periods there may be a queue to attend. Our staff and volunteers will keep you updated with estimated waiting times throughout the day but we cannot offer guaranteed entry due to demand for our ‘See the Company in action’ events. ‼️
🗺️ Guided Tours 🗺️
Book for a free tour to go behind the scenes of our RIBA Award winning dance house. Tours run throughout the day at the following times and last for one hour:
- 10:45
- 11:45
- 13:00 (BSL Interpreted)
- 14:00
- 14:15
- 15:15
BSL Interpretation – Please book onto our 13:00 tour if you or a member of your group will benefit from BSL (British Sign Language) Interpretation. If you require more information or have any access queries, please contact [email protected].
‼️ Booking for these tours opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website. Capacity is extremely limited, so set your alarms! ‼️
✨ Move with us: Dance Workshops ✨
Put on your own dancing shoes by booking a dance workshop:
🌱 Family Dance Class 🌱
Recommended age: 3 – 7 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult
Times: 13:00 and 14:00
Children and their grown-up can enjoy a dance workshop, accompanied by a live musician, in a warm and welcoming environment. No dance experience needed, everyone’s welcome to enjoy the magic of dance here.
‼️ Booking for this workshop opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website.
🩰 Adult Ballet Class 🩰
Age: 18+
Level: Open level
Time: 14:00
Step into our world-class studios this September and enjoy a ballet class lead by an expert associate artist, accompanied by live music. Wear comfy clothes suitable for moving and bring an enthusiasm to dance the afternoon away!
‼️ Booking for this workshop opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website here.
🎼 Bhangra Ceilidh with English Folk Dance and Song Society 🎼
Ages: All ages
Level: All experience levels welcome – no dance experience necessary!
Time: 15:00
Learn some new moves, take to the floor or simply enjoy the atmosphere, with our celebratory Bhangra Ceilidh and live band in our production studio.
No booking necessary for this event, just join in.
🎭 Open all day: Exhibitions and demos 🎭
🖼️ Get up close with the history of the Company, see beautiful costumes and find out more about what it takes to run a ballet Company with our exhibitions.
💄 Wigs and make-up demos from our expert team will be happening throughout the day.
🎨 Take part in our arts and crafts inspired by our upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet.
These are open all day and no booking is required. Just drop in, have a look and get involved!
🔗 Find out more about English National Ballet's Open House Festival here: https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/open-house-festival-2026/
🎫 Bookings can be made for tours and workshops from Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/8261
See the inner workings of a professional ballet company, experience the magic of live dance and music, get up close to costumes and so much more. Feel more curious with the Open House Festival at English National Ballet this Autumn.
📋 What's On 📋
Throughout the day our doors will be open to all from 10am - 5pm.
You'll be welcomed into our home, the Mulryan Centre for Dance, in Canning Town and can enjoy a range of activities bringing you closer to the magic of dance.
🎟️ Attendance is completely free of charge 🎟️
You can enjoy watching professional classes and rehearsals, experience exceptional architecture with building tours, learn more through exhibitions and demos, and put on your dancing shoes with workshops for you to get involved with.
All bookings for ticketed parts of this event are done through Open House Festival website and booking will open on Wednesday 19 August, so be sure to check back to secure your spot on booked events then as spaces go very quickly!
📜 Read more to plan your day and find out what's on...
🩰 See the Company in action! 🩰
See our production studio in action and hear from English National Ballet Artists at the following times throughout the day:
10:00 Company Class
11:15 Dancer Rehearsal (With BSL Interpretation)
12:15 Dancer Rehearsal
13:30 ENB Philharmonic Orchestra
‼️ These events are drop in only (not bookable) and at busy periods there may be a queue to attend. Our staff and volunteers will keep you updated with estimated waiting times throughout the day but we cannot offer guaranteed entry due to demand for our ‘See the Company in action’ events. ‼️
🗺️ Guided Tours 🗺️
Book for a free tour to go behind the scenes of our RIBA Award winning dance house. Tours run throughout the day at the following times and last for one hour:
- 10:45
- 11:45
- 13:00 (BSL Interpreted)
- 14:00
- 14:15
- 15:15
BSL Interpretation – Please book onto our 13:00 tour if you or a member of your group will benefit from BSL (British Sign Language) Interpretation. If you require more information or have any access queries, please contact [email protected].
‼️ Booking for these tours opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website. Capacity is extremely limited, so set your alarms! ‼️
✨ Move with us: Dance Workshops ✨
Put on your own dancing shoes by booking a dance workshop:
🌱 Family Dance Class 🌱
Recommended age: 3 – 7 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult
Times: 13:00 and 14:00
Children and their grown-up can enjoy a dance workshop, accompanied by a live musician, in a warm and welcoming environment. No dance experience needed, everyone’s welcome to enjoy the magic of dance here.
‼️ Booking for this workshop opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website.
🩰 Adult Ballet Class 🩰
Age: 18+
Level: Open level
Time: 14:00
Step into our world-class studios this September and enjoy a ballet class lead by an expert associate artist, accompanied by live music. Wear comfy clothes suitable for moving and bring an enthusiasm to dance the afternoon away!
‼️ Booking for this workshop opens on Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website here.
🎼 Bhangra Ceilidh with English Folk Dance and Song Society 🎼
Ages: All ages
Level: All experience levels welcome – no dance experience necessary!
Time: 15:00
Learn some new moves, take to the floor or simply enjoy the atmosphere, with our celebratory Bhangra Ceilidh and live band in our production studio.
No booking necessary for this event, just join in.
🎭 Open all day: Exhibitions and demos 🎭
🖼️ Get up close with the history of the Company, see beautiful costumes and find out more about what it takes to run a ballet Company with our exhibitions.
💄 Wigs and make-up demos from our expert team will be happening throughout the day.
🎨 Take part in our arts and crafts inspired by our upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet.
These are open all day and no booking is required. Just drop in, have a look and get involved!
🔗 Find out more about English National Ballet's Open House Festival here: https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/open-house-festival-2026/
🎫 Bookings can be made for tours and workshops from Wednesday 19 August, midday via the Open House website: https://programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/8261
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Where is it happening?
41 Hopewell Square, E14 0SY London, United Kingdom, Cartografie Chocolate, Lookout Lane, London, E14 0, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherEnglish National Ballet
