New York City Ballet for $30

New York City Ballet was founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and it performs Balanchine and Jerome Robbins repertory in the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the house built for the company. Its 2026–27 season opened in September and runs into late May 2027. For anyone aged 13 to 30, the company's 30 for 30 program sells week-of rush tickets for $30 to select repertory performances, which makes a world-class ballet company one of the city's best cultural deals.

Register for 30 for 30 on the company's site, then buy online during the week of the performance while seats last; The Nutcracker is excluded. For everyone else, the fourth ring is the inexpensive way in, and the view of the full stage pattern from up high suits Balanchine's choreography. Mixed repertory evenings, three or four short ballets, are the best introduction. Step out onto the promenade balcony at intermission for the view over the plaza.