The bad news is that tonight’s “Swan Lake” is the last of the run at New York City Ballet. The good news is that we have almost six more weeks of repertory to see. The question of what night (or nights) to book your seats, however, isn’t easy. There are more than 30 ballets on offer, and they won’t all please everyone. City Ballet aficionados will be eager for programs that newcomers may find confusing, but certain programs are hands-down winners no matter how much ballet you’ve seen. So, here are my recommendations for the rest of the season – tailored to newbies and old hands, with crossover where warranted.

NEWCOMERS

January 21, 8 p.m. Concerto Barocco, Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Symphony in C

This program starts off with “Concerto Barocco,” which provides a quick introduction to Balanchine’s signature style. I’ve found that friends who are unfamiliar with Balanchine sometimes don’t connect with his choreography immediately (unless they’re familiar with the music, which is Bach in this case). But that’s not the case with “Romeo and Juliet.” Excerpted from the full ballet, this romantic nugget gives you a hint of narrative. Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” is thrilling – and short. “Symphony in C” is a masterpiece, a classic, a must-see.The four movements of the Bizet score vary considerably, allowing for four different ballerinas, all in tutus and tiaras.

January 25, 7:30 p.m. Episodes, N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz, Firebird

Here’s a bill that ranges from sleek to jazzy to narrative – in that order. “Episodes” is a black-and-white (or leotard) ballet by Balanchine, set to Webern. Jerome Robbins’s “N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz” is a delightful romp that evokes teenagers getting their jazz groove on; it’s fun,light,and easy to like. “Firebird” is a compact story ballet with fierce choreography by Balanchine.

February 5, 3 p.m. Divertimento No. 15, Klavier, Fancy Free

This one is for the adventurous novice. After watching “Divertimento No. 15” (a pretty Balanchine ballet with tutus and a Mozart score), you’ll catch “Fancy Free,” a new ballet by Christopher Wheeldon, the company’s resident choreographer. (The work has its premiere on January 24, so you’ll have some time to read the reviews.) The program finishes up with Robbins’s 1944 “Fancy Free,” a marvelous ballet that was later expanded into “On the Town,” a musical about three sailors on leave. (From this we get the lyrics: “The Bronx is up, and the Battery’s down!”)

February 18, 8 p.m.After the Rain,In the Night, Western Symphony

“Western Symphony,” Balanchine’s valentine to the American West, is so much fun you’ll be hooked forever. But the real draw here is that you can see the work of three different choreographers. Mr. Wheeldon’s “After the Rain” is tender and precious – and if Wendy Whelan is dancing, it will be a crime to miss it. Robbins’s “In the Night” is a series of romantic pas de deux set to Chopin.

OLD HANDS

January 21, 8 p.m. Concerto Barocco, Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Symphony in C

Die-hard fans may have already seen all these ballets several times. But I’ve selected this program for the regulars based on my own preference. I crave “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” in the way some people crave chocolate. If it’s there, I must have it. And this is the soonest chance to see it.

January 24, 7:30 p.m. Monumentum pro Gesualdo, Movements for Piano and Orchestra, Klavier, Symphony in C

This one’s for the fan who doesn’t have much time to devote to ballet. I recommend seeing the new Wheeldon on this evening – as opposed to its other showings – because the three other ballets on this program will provide ample opportunity to see the dancers in classic Balanchine style.

February 2, 8 p.m. Concerto Barocco, Songs of the Auvergne, Firebird

“Songs of the Auvergne” is a Robbins ballet that has not been onstage in 10 years. On this bill it’s sandwiched between “Firebird” and “Concerto Barocco.” Depending on the casting and dancing, that could be a very good night at the ballet.

February 25, 2 p.m. Friandises,The Cage, After the Rain, Symphony in C

This matinee program offers the work of four choreographers. It starts off with the premiere of “Friandises,” a new work by Peter Martins that is set to new music. The leads in this ballet are young dancers, so it will be interesting to see how Mr. Martins is working with them. Robbins’s “The Cage” is dark and fascinating. Then things get beautiful with Mr.Wheeldon’s “After the Rain” and Balanchine’s “Symphony in C.”

February 25, 8 p.m. Scenes de Ballet, Sonatas and Interludes, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet

Mr. Wheeldon’s “Scenes de Ballet” arguably put him on the map. The bill also features “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” and “Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet,” which are really hard to pass up. (Love that gypsy ending.)

BEST PROGRAM FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO IMPRESS A DATE

February 5, 3 p.m. Divertimento No. 15, Klavier, Fancy Free

Saying “Would you like to see the new Wheeldon ballet?” will make you look like you know what you’re talking about. There’s a touch of sweet romance on the program, in the form of “Divertimento No. 15. “Then “Fancy Free” – a narrative piece with lots of acting – has some powerful, masculine dancing. Plus, it’s funny. So if the date isn’t going well, at least you’ll get a laugh. If it is going well, you can have an early dinner after this matinee.