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The Nutcracker Ballet in Los Angeles: 28 Performances of the Classic Christmas Ballet

Los Angeles Ballet's gorgeous production soars. Photo by Reed Hutchinson
Los Angeles Ballet's gorgeous production soars. Photo by Reed Hutchinson
11/17/22 - By Roberta B

Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas without one good Nutcracker ballet performance, even if your kids aren't ballet lovers. And if one good Nutcracker begins to make it feel a lot like Christmas, then the Los Angeles area is evidently hitting Uber-Christmas in the coming weeks with more than twenty professional Nutcracker ballet productions. 

We've got answers to the two questions posed most often by parents in search of a Nutcracker ballet in Los Angeles for their families: Yes, there is a condensed version staged specifically for kids, offered by the Festival Ballet Theatre down in Costa Mesa; and yes, there are local productions performed with full orchestra—​the Long Beach Terrace Theater is one of the best. There's even a fantastic and very LA production by Bob Baker's Marionettes which is light on the dancing and heavy on the post-show ice cream, for little kids looking for a fun introduction to the show.

And when you've had your fill of the Mouse King, let us direct you to some nifty Polar Express and Christmas train rides, neighborhood Christmas lights displays, and more in our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide.

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The Nutcracker is done by marionettists and marionettes at the Bob Baker Theater.
The Nutcracker is done by marionettists and marionettes at the Bob Baker Theater.

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Los Angeles

The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle

DTLA - Select dates November 19 - December 31, 2022
By the creators of the Van Gogh Experience, this immersive Nutcracker puts kids in the classic world of Clara and the sugarplum fairies. On a journey through this classic Christmas tale, there are photo opportunities, a life-size Nutcracker, magical effects, and incredible projections, all set to selections of Tchaikovsky's timeless score.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker Suite by American Contemporary Ballet

DTLA - Select dates November 25 - December 24, 2022
The American Contemporary Ballet puts on a performance of the Nutcracker Suite that delights the senses. This creative production sells out early, so buy your tickets well in advance! READ MORE

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker

Highland Park - Select dates November 26, 2022 - January 8, 2023
Bob Baker's Nutcracker returns most triumphantly this year to the Bob Baker Theater! This beloved version of the story has been running since 1969, and every performance ends with ice cream. Don't miss this LA holiday tradition!  READ MORE

Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Dolby

Hollywood - December 23, 24, and 26, 2022
Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker returns for another season, as Clara and her Nutcracker journey to the magical Land of Snow, and to the enchanted Palace of the Dolls where all of Clara's favorite companions come to life.  READ MORE
The Pacific Festival Ballet performs The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the production
The Pacific Festival Ballet performs The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the production

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in the Valleys: From Glendale to Thousand Oaks

Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Alex

Glendale - Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2022
Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker returns for another season, as Clara and her Nutcracker journey to the magical Land of Snow, and to the enchanted Palace of the Dolls where all of Clara's favorite companions come to life. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Degas Dance Studio)

Agoura Hills - Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2022
Bring your whole family to share and enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition featuring music by Tchaikovsky, professional as well as pre-professional and student performers, beautiful costumes, and magical digital backdrops.  READ MORE

Red Chair Productions Performance of The Nutcracker

Glendale - Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, 2022
Red Chair Children's Production Company presents its annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, with lavish sets and glittering costumes. Unique among area Nutcracker productions, The Red Chair’s energetic rendition features young performers, ages 5 to 18, in principal and supporting roles. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (California Dance Ensemble)

Calabasas - Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18, 2022
California Dance Ensemble performs this holiday treat, featuring 150 performers—including Academy students, pre-professional dancers, and professional guest stars.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Pacific Festival Ballet)

Thousand Oaks - Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18, 2022
Stars of New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck and Gonzalo Garcia, join Pacific Festival Ballet's resident ballet company. The production is complete with opulent sets and costumes along with dazzling choreography. This Nutcracker promises visions of Sugarplums and a 100% chance of snowfall on the audience! READ MORE

The Nutcracker Ballet (Pasadena Dance Theatre)

San Gabriel - Thursday - Saturday, December 22 - 24, 2022
Pasadena Dance Theatre brings its annual production of the classic holiday ballet to the Historic San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. This year, the performance features all-new choreography and features guest artists Katherine Williams and Eric Tamm, supported by a cast of more than 50 dancers.  READ MORE
A live orchestra is part of the draw at the Westside Ballet performance. Photo courtesy of Westside Ballet
A live orchestra is part of the draw at the Westside Ballet performance. Photo courtesy of Westside Ballet

Nutcracker Ballet Performances on the Westside: From Santa Monica to Beverly Hills

The Nutcracker Tea

Beverly Hills - Saturday & Sunday, November 19 & 20, 2022
We'll come right out and say it: this event is an expensive cup of tea. However, along with the fancy tea party, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills, guests are treated to a special, intimate performance of selections from Los Angeles Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, dancing with characters, shopping in the Winter Boutique, and photos with Santa, Clara, Nutcracker, and Baby Mouse.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Westside Ballet)

Santa Monica - Saturdays & Sundays, November 26 - December 4, 2022
Westside Ballet's annual, lavish production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, the longest-running Nutcracker production in SoCal,  returns beginning Thanksgiving weekend for eight public performances at BroadStage. Young dancers and a full orchestra share the story of Clara, a girl who receives a nutcracker for Christmas and is transported to a magical world of sugarplum fairies and villainous mice. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Los Angeles Ballet at Royce Hall)

Westwood - Friday - Sunday, December 16 - 18, 2022
Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker returns for another season, as Clara and her Nutcracker journey to the magical Land of Snow, and to the enchanted Palace of the Dolls where all of Clara's favorite companions come to life. READ MORE
Long Beach Ballet's The Nutcracker also features a live orchestra. Photo by J. Christopher Launi Photography
Long Beach Ballet's The Nutcracker also features a live orchestra. Photo by J. Christopher Launi Photography

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Long Beach & the South Bay

Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

Redondo Beach - Thursday - Sunday, December 1 - 4, 2022
Debbie Allen brings her Dance Academy's popular adaptation of the classic dance tale to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. The show has become a local holiday classic directed, choreographed by, and starring the unstoppable Ms. Allen.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Palos Verdes Ballet)

Palos Verdes - Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2022
Palos Verdes Ballet presents an opportunity to see the classic holiday ballet. The dance company is back with its spectacular production after a hiatus due to the pandemic. This will be the 42nd year of performances.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (San Pedro City Ballet)

San Pedro - Friday - Sunday, December 9 - 11, 2022
This is the San Pedro City Ballet's 26th annual production of the classic holiday season ballet. Encounter mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, enchanted Christmas trees, and sugar plum fairies at this artistic performance set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Los Angeles Ballet in Redondo Beach)

Redondo Beach - Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, 2022
Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker returns for another season, as Clara and her Nutcracker journey to the magical Land of Snow, and to the enchanted Palace of the Dolls where all of Clara's favorite companions come to life. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Long Beach Ballet)

Long Beach - Select dates December 16 - 23, 2022
Long Beach Ballet presents The Nutcracker, performed with a full symphony orchestra, pyrotechnics, a real live horse, and a cast of over 200. This performance was voted the "best loved Nutcracker in the nation" by a Goldstar audience survey. It is crammed full of special effects and dazzling dancers.  READ MORE
The mouse king is ready to attack! Photo courtesy of Festival Ballet Theatre
The mouse king is ready to attack! Photo courtesy of Festival Ballet Theatre

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Orange County

Anaheim Ballet's Nutcracker in Anaheim with Symphony Irvine

Anaheim - Friday, November 25, 2022
Anaheim Ballet and Symphony Irvine bring the traditional holiday tale of Clara, her dancing nutcracker, waltzing flowers, a towering Christmas tree, and the Mouse King with a full symphony orchestra. READ MORE

The Nutcracker for Kids

Costa Mesa - Saturday, December 3, 2022
Festival Ballet Theatre and Pacific Symphony offer a condensed version of Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet that also includes a holiday sing-along and a visit from Santa. READ MORE

Casa Nutcracker

San Clemente - Thursday, December 8, 2022
Casa Romantica presents an abridged production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker, with choreography tailored to the intimate Main Salon Theater. READ MORE

Nutcracker: Abridged for Young Audiences

Irvine - Friday, December 9, 2022
Do you want your kids to experience the Christmas magic of the Nutcracker, but are you worried they can't sit through a full production? Festival Ballet Theatre offers an abridged, one-hour version of the classic production for the littlest ballet fans.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre)

Costa Mesa - Friday - Sunday, December 9 - 11, 2022
American Ballet Theatre returns with its critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, featuring a cast of more than 100 performers, dazzling sets and costumes by Tony-winner Richard Hudson, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed by the Pacific Symphony. READ MORE

The Nutcracker: Pryntsev Ballet Academy

Laguna Hills - Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, 2022
Pryntsev Dance Academy performs The Nutcracker for ballet fans of all ages. The performance is filled with sweet dreams and Christmas magic. READ MORE

Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker and Nutcracker Tea

Irvine - Select dates December 10 - 24, 2022
Festival Ballet Theatre's lavish production of the holiday classic features a cast of 150 dazzling dancers with colorful costumes and dazzling scenery. For an additional fee, parents and children can enjoy a Nutcracker Tea prior to the show in the Barclay's Jade Room. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (Laguna Ballet)

Mission Viejo - December 17, 18, 21, and 22, 2022
Laguna Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker features more than 75 OC ballet students and guest artists.  READ MORE

Inland Empire Nutcracker Ballet Performances

The Nutcracker - Inland Pacific Ballet: Rancho Cucamonga

San Bernardino - Saturdays & Sundays, December 3 - 11, 2022
Inland Pacific Ballet brings the holiday classic to the Lewis Family Playhouse with dazzling sets, beautiful costumes, and more than 80 dancers on stage. This family tradition is sure to remain a favorite Christmas memory for years to come.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker - Inland Pacific Ballet: Riverside

Riverside - Saturday & Sunday, December 17 & 18, 2022
Inland Pacific Ballet brings the holiday classic to the Fox Performing Arts Center with dazzling sets, beautiful costumes, and more than 80 dancers on stage. The annual yuletide favorite tells the story of a young girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve, and sets out on a wondrous journey to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Lighthouse ArtSpace Los Angeles
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
A-PAEC MainStage Theater at Agoura High School
Calabasas Performing Arts Education Center on the campus of Calabasas High School
The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
Palos Verdes Performing Arts Norris Theatre
City National Grove of Anaheim
Casa Romanitca Cultural Center and Gardens
Coast Hills Church Theater

About the Author

Roberta Brown

Editor-in-Chief

Years spent at Nickelodeon prepared Roberta to launch Mommy Poppins' Los Angeles branch in 2011, eventually becoming Mommy Poppins Editor-in-Chief in 2013. Previously she served as LA Editor for GoCityKids, National Editor for ParentsConnect, and Editor for NickMom—all of which works out well for her son, who has grown up serving as Chief Guinea Pig for all things fun in LA and beyond.

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