Varna International Ballet – Swan Lake and The Nutcracker: Liverpool Empire – 8th to 10th January
The Varna International Ballet Company have been performing some of the most well loved ballets in the world since 1947, and from the 8th to the 10th of January 2026 they will be at the Liverpool Empire with two of the best: Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
This critically acclaimed troupe have been delighting audiences for decades with their award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, and these shows will be a real treat for Scousers come the new year.
Swan Lake tells the tale of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan by day, and must choose true love over deception to break the spell. The Nutcracker is more festive. It’s the story of young Clara, who is whisked into a magical Christmas-night adventure where her nutcracker doll comes to life and leads her through battles, snow-covered kingdoms, and the Land of Sweets.
Both beautiful tales, told with stunningly brilliant visuals, a live orchestra, and a little helping of magic. It’s not often you get the opportunity to see cultural classics like this, so don’t miss out.
Tickets and Prices
The same company perform both shows, but Swan Lake is playing on the 8th and 9th of January and The Nutcracker is playing twice on the 10th of January.
Tickets are the same price for both shows, and they vary quite a lot in price depending on how close you are to the stage:
- £15.00
- £29.50
- £38.50
- £46.00
- £54.50
- £58.00
- £81.00
There is also a £3.95 transaction fee per order (not per ticket, so if you are going as a group buy them all in one go).
Evening performances begin at 7:30pm, while the matinee on the 10th begins at 2:30pm.
