The Bolshoi Theatre: instructions for first-time visitors

We explain how to prepare for a trip to the country’s most important theater: how to buy tickets, avoid being late, have fun, and present flowers to a favorite actor.

The main thing is to buy a ticket on time

This is the first and probably the most important rule. If you want to attend a New Year’s performance of The Nutcracker or another momentous performance of the Bolshoi Theatre, then you should make sure to buy a ticket in advance. Theatergoers advise that you remember the magic phrase: ‘three months.’ Tickets for the Historical and New Bolshoi Stages go on sale at the box offices on Theater Square and in GUM three months before the start of performances. The sales schedule is regularly published on the official website of the theater, so it is quite difficult to miss the date.

It is important to buy from official points of sale

You can buy a ticket either at the box offices or on the Bolshoi Theatre website. If you buy from another source or by hand, you risk buying a fake or paying resellers much more than the real cost. The Bolshoi Theatre does not cooperate with distributors, and it strives to ensure that tickets are sold directly to the audience. Because of this, on the opening day of pre-sales, ticket sales are restricted to two tickets per performance per person. There is an exception for minor children or grandchildren—in that case, just do not forget the documents that confirm your relationship. And be sure to take your own passport: purchase will be impossible without it.

Speaking of children: What age is appropriate to go to the Bolshoi Theatre?

Children over six are welcome to attend performances. Pay attention to the age restrictions. They are always indicated next to the performance title in the poster. If you are not sure, verify the information at the box office.

The tickets have been bought, and you are looking forward to your evening at the Bolshoi and are wondering how to dress.

The main advice is to dress appropriately. There is no strict dress code as such, but attendees in shorts and flip-flops are definitely not allowed into the hall. In modern theaters (and the Bolshoi is exactly that), spectators can wear both casual or evening wear. Remember that you will likely feel uncomfortable in the fancy interiors wearing sportswear and that some clothing, such as tall hats, might interfere with the spectators sitting behind you.

Can I bring flowers?

You may. But there is a “but”: at the Bolshoi, spectators are requested not to bring bouquets into the hall, as they may bother other spectators. If you wish to send your favorite actor a gift, ask any attendant to bring the flowers backstage. You can always attach a note or a business card to the bouquet.

It’s hard to imagine a theater without the classic buffet, and the Bolshoi also has them

They open during the intermission: two buffets for each stage. Bring cash with you, because bank cards are not accepted everywhere. After the performance, the evening can continue at the Bolshoi restaurant: if you show the waiter a ticket to the performance that you have come from, you will be given a 10% discount. This applies to groups of up to twenty people.

Finally, a rule that is as important as buying a ticket: please do not be late

The doors to the auditorium are closed after the third bell. It is best to arrive a little bit early: get ready for the performance, admire the gathering audience, take a walk around the lobby, and drink coffee.

Photo: Bolshoi Theatre