Inside Covent Garden's Beautiful Celebration of 100 Years of Ballet
There's always something happening in Covent Garden.
Street performers entertain crowds beneath the Market Building. Tourists stop for photos in the Piazza. Friends meet for coffee and shoppers wander between boutiques.
But this summer, one of London's most iconic spaces is celebrating something rather special.
To mark the centenary of The Royal Ballet School, Covent Garden has been transformed into an open-air celebration of ballet, creativity and artistry, bringing together performances, installations, films and floral displays in the heart of the city.
And the best part?
Much of it is completely free.
If you're planning a visit to Covent Garden this June, here's why you might want to spend a little longer looking around.
Celebrating 100 Years of The Royal Ballet School
Founded in 1926 by Dame Ninette de Valois, The Royal Ballet School has spent the last century shaping generations of dancers and helping establish Britain as one of the world's great centres of ballet.
Its influence stretches far beyond the stage.
For 100 years, the School has trained artists who have gone on to perform with The Royal Ballet and companies across the globe.
So to celebrate this milestone, Covent Garden and The Royal Ballet School have joined forces for a six-day Piazza takeover that turns one of London's busiest public spaces into an immersive celebration of dance and creativity.
From 22 to 28 June, visitors can discover performances, films, installations and even ballet-inspired treats throughout the area.
The Piazza Has Become an Open-Air Stage
One of the highlights of the celebration is the giant screen installed in Covent Garden.
Throughout the week, visitors can watch behind-the-scenes footage from The Royal Ballet School, daily classes, student choreography, interviews and dance-themed films.
Titles include Billy Elliot the Musical, Step Up, Ballerina and Center Stage, creating an outdoor cinema experience unlike anything usually found in the Piazza.
Deck chairs are set up nearby, encouraging visitors to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
And on the final Saturday, the celebrations become even more interactive, with public ballet participation classes inviting everyone to learn simple ballet movements.
It's a reminder that ballet isn't only something to watch.
It's something to experience.
Look Up and You'll Discover "A Century of Becoming"
Even after the week-long celebrations finish, one of the most striking pieces will remain.
Suspended inside the Market Building is A Century of Becoming, an aerial installation created by sculptural artist Pauline Loctin.
Inspired by movement, transformation and the architecture of The Royal Ballet School's famous Bridge of Aspiration, the artwork consists of 25 suspended sculptures made from more than 200 sheets of hand-folded paper.
Incredibly, the installation required around 26,000 folds created entirely by hand.
As colours shift from blue to purple and red, the installation symbolises generations of dancers evolving and passing on their knowledge over the last century.
Walking through Central Avenue and looking up reveals a completely different side of Covent Garden.
And that's exactly what the artist hoped for.
A moment of wonder.
A Butterfly Made From Pointe Shoes
Another remarkable installation comes from former English National Ballet dancer and artist Amber Hunt.
Called Strength and Grace Butterfly, the sculpture is made from over 250 used pointe shoes contributed by students and alumni.
At first glance, visitors simply see a pair of beautiful wings.
But look closer and you'll discover something far more meaningful.
Every shoe represents years of dedication, discipline and artistry.
The sculpture celebrates transformation, resilience and the journey every dancer experiences throughout their training.
It's one of those installations that rewards a second look.
Ballet in Bloom
Covent Garden's Head of Horticulture, Kenny Wilding-Raybourn, has also created a floral installation inspired by ballet and the growth of students throughout their artistic journeys.
Filled with seasonal blooms, it adds another layer of colour and creativity to the Piazza.
Combined with the performances and sculptures, it makes the whole area feel like a celebration rather than simply an event.
Ballet-Inspired Food and Summer Treats
Of course, no visit to Covent Garden is complete without food.
During the celebrations, visitors can enjoy drinks from English winemaker Chapel Down, afternoon tea treats and charcuterie from Courtyard Wine Cellars.
TOKKIA has also created a black sesame matcha inspired by Swan Lake, while Blondies Kitchen is serving a pink strawberry shortcake "Sugar Plum Fairy" cookie.
It all adds to the festive atmosphere.
And even if you weren't planning to spend an afternoon in Covent Garden, these little touches make it difficult not to linger.
How to Visit
📍 Covent Garden Piazza
22–28 June
12pm–8pm
Nearest station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line)
Many installations are free to enjoy, and because you're already in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods, it's easy to combine the celebrations with lunch, shopping or an evening in the West End.
More Than Just an Event
What makes this celebration special isn't simply the installations or performances.
It's the fact that one hundred years of artistry, discipline and creativity are being brought into one of London's most famous public spaces.
You don't need to buy a theatre ticket.
You don't need to understand ballet.
You just need to look up, slow down and enjoy it.
And for a few days this summer, Covent Garden becomes something a little different.
Not just a place to pass through.
But a place to pause, celebrate and appreciate a century of extraordinary talent.