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Where to See The Nutcracker in NYC in 2022

The Yorkville Nutcracker stars talented local dancers in an NYC-centric version of the classic tale. Photos by Rosalie O'Connor
The Yorkville Nutcracker stars talented local dancers in an NYC-centric version of the classic tale. Photos by Rosalie O'Connor
11/15/22 - By Drew Kristofik

The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experience for kids and parents, and we're excited to see old favorites and new versions of The Nutcracker ballet in NYC in 2022.

Many children are captivated by the energy and drama of The Nutcracker—from the sweet Sugar Plum fairy visit to the frantic battle with the Rat King—but the full-length ballet can be long for some. We've found more than a dozen variations of The Nutcracker ballet playing this season across all five NYC boroughs, from Lincoln Center's iconic classic iteration to abbreviated just-for-kid versions. We've also found one Nutcracker ballet performance featuring stunning marionettes, a Nutcracker Dance workshop for little dancers, and one performance that's 100% FREE!

Prices range from splurge-worthy to completely FREE. Read on for all our picks for the best Nutcracker ballets in NYC for families, and find more holiday-must do's and Christmas activities in our Guide to the Holidays in NYC.

Click through to check our listings for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages, and check our Family Activity Calendar for more must-see children's shows and holiday theater.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The New York City Ballet's iteration of The Nutcracker ballet is a holiday bucket list activity in NYC.. Photo courtesy of the ballet
The New York City Ballet's iteration of The Nutcracker ballet is a holiday bucket list activity in NYC.. Photo courtesy of the ballet

Where to See The Nutcracker Ballet in Manhattan in 2022

Manhattan Ballet School's The Nutcracker Suite

Upper East Side
Saturday, November 19-Sunday, November 20
The Manhattan Ballet School's Nutcracker Suite is choreographed by the school's founders, Elfriede Merman and Patricia Savoia. The performance is danced by students enrolled in the school, as well as graduates from the school.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker

Midtown West
Weekends from Saturday, November 26-Sunday, December 18
Chiara Ajkun's version of The Nutcracker, performed by Ajkun Ballet Theatre, is perfect for children and adults alike and includes a complimentary photo with the cast.  READ MORE

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Upper West Side
Select dates from Friday, November 25-Saturday, December 31
The New York City Ballet's annual confection returns, complete with the famous one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes, including one for Mother Ginger that measures nine feet wide and weighs 85 pounds! READ MORE

The Nutcracker at Brookfield Place - SOLD OUT

Battery Park City–FREE
Friday, December 2-Sunday, December 4
This free one-hour version of the beloved holiday ballet, performed to Tchaikovsky’s cherished score, is set Art Nouveau-style circa 1907 with innovative choreography by long-time New York Theatre Ballet choreographer Keith Michael. READ MORE

Holiday Tales – A Season of Miracles

Greenwich Village
Saturday, December 3
The sparkling collection of holiday stories from different cultures within this heart-warming musical includes O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi, an original tale set in Nigeria entitled, The Kwanzaa Kite, a fanciful tale from The Wise Folk of Chelm – The Chanukah Miracle, and E.T.A Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker. READ MORE

My First Nutcracker

Midtown West
Saturday, December 3-Thursday, December 22
Clara and the Prince travel to a magical kingdom filled with delicious treats, dancing flowers and a pesky mouse king in this holiday classic re-imagined for little theatergoers by New York City Children's Theater. READ MORE

The Nutcracker: New York Theatre Ballet

Midtown East
Friday, December 9-Sunday, December 11
From clockwork imps to a luminous owl that flies above the audience, mice dressed in polka dots and dancers dancing with huge chopsticks, this timeless, re-imagined classic bursts with energy and excitement. READ MORE

The Yorkville Nutcracker

Upper East Side
Friday, December 9-Sunday, December 11
This year marks the 26th anniversary of The Yorkville Nutcracker, set in 1895, which includes lavish sets and costumes and takes the audience on a tour through Olde New York's most beloved landmarks, including a holiday party at Gracie Mansion, dancing at the Crystal Palace in the New York Botanical Garden, and skating in Central Park. READ MORE

Children's Nutcracker Workshop

Lower East Side
Saturday, December 10
Little Nutcracker fans read the Nutcracker Ballet storybook, learn a dance inspired by the toy soldier dolls, and do a craft! The program is taught by a professional ballerina, Jennifer Buonamia. READ MORE

InsideOut Concert: The Nutcracker

Midtown West
Saturday, December 10
Take a journey through Tchaikovsky's musical imagining of the Land of the Sweets and experience some of the most beautiful and expressive music ever written from your seat inside the orchestra. READ MORE

MCD's The Nutcracker

Upper West Side
Friday, December 16-Sunday, December 18
Riverside Theatre presents the 20th-anniversary performance of the timeless holiday classic, MCD’s Nutcracker, featuring young, local dancers and a cast of seasoned professionals. READ MORE

The Nutcracker

Upper West Side
Sunday, December 18
The most famous classical ballet for the winter holiday is choreographed and presented by NYDA staff. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Brooklyn in 2022

The Steadfast Tin Soldier & Nutcracker Sweets

Park Slope
Weekends from Saturday, December 3-Friday, December 30
Puppetworks presents a double bill, featuring The Steadfast Tin Soldier, from Hans Christian Andersen, and Nutcracker Sweets with Tchaikovsky's music. Both are adapted for the marionette stage by Nicholas Coppola.  READ MORE

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: The Nutcracker

Flatbush
Friday, December 16
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s holiday spectacle transports the audience to a dazzling winter wonderland. Step into choreographer Andrei Litvinov’s magical world of toy soldiers and colorful characters, dancing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. READ MORE

The Brooklyn Nutcracker

Flatbush
Saturday, December 17
The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop, and a variety of world dance genres to create a new holiday tradition. This performance transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. READ MORE

Nutcracker 2022

Bay Ridge
Saturday, December 17
Little ballet students from Bay Ridge Ballet perform their own charming version of the classic ballet. READ MORE
Meet Clara's favorite holiday gift at Sunnyside Ballet's The Nutcracker in NYC. Photo courtesy Sunnyside Ballet Studio
Meet Clara's favorite holiday gift at Sunnyside Ballet's The Nutcracker in NYC. Photo courtesy Sunnyside Ballet Studio

Where to See The Nutcracker Ballet in Queens in 2022

Clara's Dream

Flushing
Saturday, December 3
Dance Matters Presents a magical version of the Nutcracker tale, imagined through Clara's eyes. Dive into her dreams, filled with dance, suspense, and beauty. Show runs approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes, with one intermission. READ MORE

The Joffrey Ballet School presents "The Nutcracker"

Long Island City
Friday, December 16-Sunday, December 18
A  holiday tradition started by founder Robert Joffrey over 60 years ago, Joffrey Ballet School's version of The Nutcracker has been an important part of the history of not only the school but its LIC neighborhood. READ MORE

Sunnyside Ballet Studio Presents The Nutcracker: A Magical Night 2022

Corona
Sunday, December 18
Sunnyside Ballet Studio performs the holiday classic live on stage at the Queens Theatre.  READ MORE
The Westchester Ballet makes its Bronx debut at the Lehman Center Concert Hall with its rendition of The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the company
The Westchester Ballet makes its Bronx debut at the Lehman Center Concert Hall with its rendition of The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of the company

The Nutcracker Ballet Performances in the Bronx in 2022

The Nutcracker by The Westchester Ballet Company

Bedford Park
Friday, December 16-Sunday, December 18
Westchester Ballet Company's Nutcracker is a spectacular, enchanting, full-length presentation of the beloved holiday classic featuring a cast of 100 dancers. WBC's production is notable not only for its exquisite choreography, set to Tchaikovsky's beautiful score but also for its opulent costumes and special effects. READ MORE

Where to See The Nutcracker Ballet in Staten Island in 2022

Nutcracker Holiday

Bloomfield
Saturday, December 17-Sunday, December 18
Staten Island Ballet's immersive production of The Nutcracker sells out quickly every year. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Ballet Arts Center for Dance
David Koch Theater at Lincoln Theater
Winter Garden at Brookfield Place
Sixth Street Community Center
Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Symphony Space
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts