Chicago’s ‘Ballet Of Lights’ Is A Hidden Gem At The Athenaeum Center For Thought & Culture—Here’s How To Get Tickets

Ballet of Lights in Chicago is a true dream, echoing the city’s rich history of dance, from the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet to The Ballet Chicago Studio Company. Featuring the dazzling performances of five talented ballerinas in fibre-optic- lit costumes , fairy tales like *The Sleeping Beauty , Cinderella and Peter Pan * are retold through music, dance and light. On selected dates over the coming months, this luminous dance show will be casting its magic inside Arts Center of Oak Park. The Neoclassical gem has welcomed countless performances but none have lit up this brightly as Tchaikovsky’s famous masterpiece echoes in the spacious venue. Places are limited so make sure you secure your spot today! Ballet of Lights in Chicago: Which story is being performed now? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ballet of Lights is a multi-faceted experience with plenty of different fairytales on rotation. Some will return and others will be announced but here’s what’s currently on in Chicago: ### Sleeping Beauty The story of Sleeping Beauty is one of timeless transformation. Born from medieval legends and immortalized by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm , it tells of a princess cursed into slumber, waiting for light to awaken her world. Beneath its graceful beauty lies a deeper symbol — renewal and the victory of hope over darkness. Each retelling reminds us that even in stillness, life dreams of rebirth. Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show January 23, 2026 6:00 PM + more dates Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture From $32.80 - Before: ~~$41.00~~ 20% Discount Buy tickets What is Ballet of Lights? ------------------------- Ballet is an internationally-recognized art form that’s been enchanting audiences for over half a millennium. Expressive gestures and intricate movements performed to striking, classical compositions is already an enchanting medium for storytelling. Add luminous leotards, ballet slippers and tutus to the mix, and you’ve got an enhanced ballet experience that pushes the creative boundaries of dance. Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show January 23, 2026 6:00 PM + more dates Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture From $32.80 - Before: ~~$41.00~~ 20% Discount Buy tickets Reviews for Ballet of Lights in Chicago --------------------------------------- Ballet of Lights has premiered in Chicago, and early reviews from audiences are overwhelmingly positive , with many attendees praising the experience and awarding it 4 and 5 stars. “great show. they were wonderful” – January 13 “So beautiful. The dancers were so graceful” – January 13 “Beautiful and intimate performance by talented performers!” – January 31 “Excellent choreography and talent.” – January 24 “Very cool and new way to experience dance!” – January 25 The show is an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece so over the course of 60 minutes , colors of the fibre-opticlights on the costumes change according to the mood of each scene. Neon blues, fluorescent yellows, radiant reds and more vibrant colors shine brightly, revealing the inner emotions of the characters on stage. Journey through this legendary tale of fantastical kingdoms, hidden castles, hopeless romantics and the cursed spindle of a spinning wheel. Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show January 23, 2026 6:00 PM + more dates Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture From $32.80 - Before: ~~$41.00~~ 20% Discount Buy tickets Source: https://secretchicago.com/ballet-of-lights-chicago-dance-and-light-show/