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An architectural landmark and one of Russia’s most prestigious venues, the Bolshoi Theatre is home to the world-famous Bolshoi ballet and opera companies. With a legacy dating back to the late 18th century, the theater hosts regular performances of classics such asLa Traviata,*Carmen,Swan Lake, andThe Nutcracker*.
For a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary theater, join a guided tour to explore the grand, six-tier auditorium. You’ll be able to admire the architectural details—the work of architect Joseph Bové—learn about the theater’s renowned acoustics, and hear about the theater’s fascinating history, from the imperial period through the Soviet era to the modern day.
Opera and ballet performances at the Bolshoi Theatre are incredibly popular. If you’d like to attend one, you’ll need to book tickets up to three months in advance.
There is a dress code for evening performances; shorts, t-shirts, and slippers are not allowed, and many attendees opt for full evening dress.
Children over 5 may attend matinee performances at the theater; children over 10 years old may attend evening performances and tours.
The Bolshoi Theatre is accessible for wheelchair users if you book in advance.
The Bolshoi Theatre is located at 1 Teatralnaya Ploshchad, in downtown Moscow. It’s possible to walk to the site from central attractions such as Red Square, which is about 10 minutes away. The closest metro stations are Teatralnaya (Line 2) and Okhotny Ryad (Line 1), which are both just a few minutes’ walk from the theater.
Evening performances typically start at 7pm and matinee performances at 2pm. Admission begins one hour before showtime, and there is no entrance to the auditorium once the show has started, so be sure to arrive on time. English language tours are held in the late morning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; advance booking is recommended.
If you can’t get tickets for the Bolshoi, there are a number of other notable venues to consider: The 18th-century Maly Theatre, located next to the Boshoi, hosts classic Russian plays by Chekhov, Pushkin, and other big names. The Theatre of Nations is famous for its unique pseudo-Russian architecture, the Moscow International House of Music hosts summer concerts on its open-air terrace, and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall is the top venue for Russian classical music.