Photography courtesy of Ballet on the Beach
Each fall, the shores of Assateague Island transform into an open-air stage, where world-class ballet dancers perform against a backdrop of rolling waves, wild ponies, and coastal dunes. Now entering its third season, Ballet on the Beach offers audiences a rare and breathtaking intersection of nature and professional dance—completely free to the public.
“Ballet on the Beach was nurtured as a dream for many years,” said Vanessa Salgado, Founder of Ballet on the Beach. “It’s a professional outdoor performance that acts as a conduit to connect the community, the environment, and the performing arts.”
Co-sponsored by Assateague State Park and the Maryland Park Service, this year’s event takes place on Saturday, September 20, 2025 (rain date: September 21). The program features dancers from acclaimed companies like Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Washington Ballet, Continuum Contemporary/Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Maryland, and Janusphere Dance Company.
A Stage Set by Nature
Held right on the sand, the festival invites audiences to witness ballet in a setting unlike any other. “When you make your way over the bridge to the island, you feel like you enter into a different world,” said Salgado. “Butterflies float over the dunes, dolphins dive through the surf, and seagulls contribute soaring movements overhead. The island becomes a part of the performance.”
To accommodate the demands of en pointe choreography, the team installs a professional marley floor on the beach itself. But it’s the sky, surf, and surrounding dunes that ultimately frame the stage.
Accessible, Inspiring, and Free
Whether it’s your first ballet or your fiftieth, the festival is designed to be welcoming to all. “Perfect for all ages, our festival offers a wonderful array of works performed by over twenty professional guest dancers—all in one evening,” Salgado said. “And it’s completely free to attend.”
As Maryland’s only oceanfront state park, Assateague State Park transforms into a natural amphitheater with ADA-accessible bathhouses, boardwalks, and even beach wheelchairs. For many attendees, the festival is either their first time seeing live ballet or their first visit to Assateague—or both.
A Coastal Destination for the Arts
The festival draws visitors from well beyond the Eastern Shore. Last year, Ballet on the Beach welcomed guests from as far as California, Florida, and even Germany. Its impact extends beyond the performance, shining a spotlight on the area’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and growing reputation as a travel destination for the arts.
Through a partnership with Blue Water Development, attendees can receive discounted accommodations at the Commander Hotel & Suites, SeaLoft Oceanfront Hotel, and Shore Point Cottages. For travel and lodging details, visit BalletontheBeach.org/visit.
More Than a Performance
Before the dancing begins, guests are encouraged to arrive by 4:00 PM to enjoy a variety of pre-performance activities. These include:
- Eco talks led by experts like Meghan Rhode, Assistant State Park Manager, and Dr. Madhumi Mitra, a professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- A make-your-own tutu station
- A pointe shoe pavilion, sponsored by Freed of London USA, where attendees can learn about how pointe shoes are made—and even paint one to take home
The main performance begins at 5:00 PM, wrapping up around 6:30 PM.
Know Before You Go
- Bring: A beach chair, sunglasses, water bottle
- Leave at home: Food and pets (to avoid attracting wild ponies)
- Parking: $5 per vehicle, first come, first serve
- Weather backup: In case of severe weather, the performance will move to Holloway Hall Auditorium at Salisbury University
Looking Ahead
“Our hope is to continue offering this event for free for years to come,” Salgado said. Plans are already underway for a 2026 return to Assateague, and the team is currently seeking sponsors, planning committee members, and volunteers to help support its mission.
To reserve your free tickets, get involved, or learn more about this one-of-a-kind cultural experience, visit BalletontheBeach.org.
Author: VisitVirginia
