Get ready for an entire month of world-class dance and music, because The International Festival of Dance and Music returns for its 18th year this Sep 8-Oct 17.

Considered one of the biggest festivals of its kind in Asia, this year's event features a total of 16 eclectic performances from 12 countries, ranging from contemporary dance to Chinese acrobatics, all of which will take the stage at Thailand Cultural Center. 

All tickets are available now through Thaiticketmajor, with prices starting at B600. 

Here's a closer look at the highlights:

Swan Lake Ballet 

Sep 8 and 9, 7:30pm.

Moscow's Stanislavsky Ballet troupe, one of Russia's leading ballet companies, presents a performance of  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet piece featuring 90 dancers, including 11 gold medalists from international competitions.

Hollywood Sound of Cinema

Sep 27, 7:30pm

Eight international singers, dancers and musicians from Europe perform some of Hollywood's most famous soundtrack hits in a piece that guarantees to get film lovers singing and dancing along.

China National Acrobratic Troupe 

Sep 30 (7:30pm) and Oct 1 (2:30pm)

One of China's most acclaimed troupes presents an elegant, acrobatic performance choreographed in celebration of the dance company's 55th anniversary in a piece that combines acrobatics with dance and drama.

The Nutcracker - Christmas Carol

Oct 7, 7:30pm

German classical ballet company Karlsruhe Ballet presents the world-famous piece set to Tchaikovsky's music in which 31 dancers come together under the artistic direction of world-famous former prima ballerina Birgit Keil. 

Romeo & Juliet

Oct 12, 7:30pm

French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, along with the Ballet Preljocaj troupe, present a romantic and contemporary retelling of the famous Shakespearean play set in a totalitarian region of an East European country. 

Other performances include Giselle (ballet), Uncharted Seas (classical Indian dance), Un Ballo Maschera (opera), Carmen (opera), The Isreal Camerata Orchestra, Tristan and Isolde (dramatic ballet), Carmina Burana (ballet), Jazz Night, The Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Voces (Suite Flamenca) and the Paul Taylor Dance Company from New York.

For the full schedule of performances, visit www.fb.com/BangkoksInternationalFestivalOfDanceMusic.