Two ballet dancers perform on stage; one is kneeling and reaching upward while the other balances on pointe with one leg extended, surrounded by blue lighting and a snowy effect.

Ballet dancers perform on stage in front of a dramatic icy backdrop; one dancer wears red, others wear white, with one person lying on the ground.

A group of actors in colorful period costumes perform a synchronized dance on stage with a forest backdrop and a full moon.

Scottish Ballet

The Snow Queen

Thu 27 Nov - Sun 7 Dec 2025

Venue: Festival Theatre

This glittering production is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale – which was also the basis for Frozen.

A frosty, festive classic

From the bustle of a winter’s market to the shivers of a fairytale forest, take a journey to the Snow Queen’s palace, where you’ll find her surrounded by the icy fragments of an enchanted mirror.

Along the way, you’ll meet a sparkling cast of characters, from young lovers parted by a spell to a circus ringmaster with a few tricks up his sleeve.

Choreographed by Christopher Hampson and designed by the award-winning Lez Brotherston, this story of love and friendship is a delight for the whole family.

"Another Scottish Ballet Christmas triumph."
The List
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Unmissable"
The Herald
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Pure magic"
The Wee Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"A magical work"
Arts Review Edinburgh
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A ballet dancer in a white costume performs a mid-air split leap on stage, with a dark blue background and winter scenery.

A circus stage with performers in colorful costumes posing under lights; a strongman lifts a woman, and a ringmaster stands at the center in front of a decorated backdrop.

A theatrical stage scene features a large group of actors in period costumes, with two performers dramatically posed at center stage under bright lights.

A group of six young people in theatrical costumes stand together on stage, with one person in white face paint and a red coat gesturing dramatically.

Performance details

Show times: Evenings; 7.30pm; Matinees; 2.30pm; (Matinee, Sun 7 Dec; 1.30pm)
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including one interval.

Discounts

Friends 20% off – Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off. (excl. Sat & Sun)

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Sat 6 December, 2.30pm
Touch tours Sat 6 December, 1pm

We believe theatre is for everyone, and we want your visit to be as easy and enjoyable as possible.

If you’d like advice when booking or planning your trip, please get in touch with us. You can also find more access information for the Festival Theatre using the button below.

Access information

Show related events

Talk Ballet

Fri 5 Dec, 6.30pm
Join the Scottish Ballet Artistic Team as they share insights from behind the scenes of their production of The Snow Queen focusing on the creation of the show, the choreography, and the music. Find out more.

Act 1

The Enchanted Mirror
The young Snow Queen and her sister, the Summer Princess, live in an isolated Ice Palace. The Summer Princess longs to leave and begs the Snow Queen to use her enchanted mirror to show the future. Looking through the mirror, the Summer Princess can see herself, many years later, embracing a handsome stranger. Unwilling to wait a moment longer, she decides she must leave to find him.

The Snow Queen pleads with her to stay, but the Summer Princess disguises herself and flees, leaving the Snow Queen alone. The Snow Queen grows angry as she contemplates a life alone and, in her rage, she shatters her enchanted mirror and vows to bring her sister back to the Ice Palace.

The Busy Marketplace
The Summer Princess lives for many years on the outskirts of a busy town. She is known locally as Lexi, a dangerous pickpocket armed with a shard of glass from the enchanted mirror.

One crisp winter’s day, handsome Kai proposes to his beloved Gerda and they become engaged. Watching on, Lexi recognises Kai as the stranger she saw in the mirror and waits for her moment to meet him.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Lexi works the crowd but gets caught in the act. Kai, feeling sorry for her, helps her avoid capture with an embrace. Gerda is rightfully suspicious of Lexi’s intentions.

A travelling circus arrives led by Zach and his wife, Mazelda, a fortune teller. The circus entertains the gathering crowd with acrobats, clowns, a strongman and a ballerina.

Suddenly, time freezes and the Snow Queen appears. She begs her sister to return with her. Lexi refuses and the Snow Queen snatches her shard of glass and blows the crystals into Kai’s eye, causing him to see all that is beautiful as ugly. He becomes mean and spiteful as the shards find their way to his heart, turning it to ice. The Snow Queen waits for her opportunity to steal Kai ensuring her sister’s return, but unwittingly sets in motion a quest for Gerda to win Kai back with the help of an unlikely ally in Lexi.

Act 2

The Traveller’s Camp
Lexi leads Gerda far away, deep in the forest to visit Mazelda, the fortune teller. Mazelda reveals that Kai has indeed been stolen away by the Snow Queen and is now bewitched to forget his true love. Lexi tells Gerda there is no hope of getting him back, she knows her sister’s powers. Gerda will not give up and she sets out alone to find him.

The Forest
As Gerda travels through a wintry forest, the Snow Queen tries to block her path: Jack Frosts, Snowflakes and Snow Wolves surround her, but she battles on to reach the Ice Palace.

The Ice Palace
At the Ice Palace, Gerda finds Kai bewitched by the Snow Queen; he no longer recognises her. The Snow Queen looks to attack Gerda but is interrupted by the arrival of Lexi who transforms back into the Summer Princess to return to her sister forever. The Snow Queen’s spell is broken, and Kai and Gerda are reunited.