Nutcracker season starts in late November. This guide lists the major-company productions we have confirmed on each company’s own website as of November 3, 2026: New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. For each one you get the dates, the venue, the running time and a link to the official ticket page.
If you want the backstory first, read how The Nutcracker became America’s Christmas ballet.
The Nutcracker 2026 at a Glance
| Company | City | Venue | Dates | Running time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City Ballet | New York | David H. Koch Theater | Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027 | About 2 hours |
| Boston Ballet | Boston | Citizens Opera House | Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2026 | About 2 hours, one intermission |
| Pacific Northwest Ballet | Seattle | McCaw Hall | Nov 27 – Dec 27, 2026 | 2 hours 3 minutes, one 25-minute intermission |
| Philadelphia Ballet | Philadelphia | Academy of Music | Dec 4–31, 2026 | About 2 hours 8 minutes, one 20-minute intermission |
| The Joffrey Ballet | Chicago | Lyric Opera House | Dec 4–27, 2026 | 2 hours |
Ticket prices vary by date and seat, so check each official site for current pricing.
New York: New York City Ballet
- Production: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
- Where: David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza (map)
- Running time: about 2 hours
- Tickets: nycballet.com
This is Balanchine’s production as New York City Ballet dances it, and it is the longest run on this list, stretching into the first days of 2027. NYCB recommends it for ages 5 and up, and every patron needs a ticket, including small children who would sit on a lap.
Boston: Boston Ballet
- Production: Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2026
- Where: Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington Street (map)
- Running time: about 2 hours, including one intermission
- Tickets: bostonballet.org
Boston Ballet’s artistic director Mikko Nissinen choreographed this production, and the Boston Ballet Orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s score live. The heroine here is Clara Silberhaus. Boston Ballet says it is the only official seller of tickets for this production, so book through its own site. A sensory-friendly performance is scheduled for Friday, December 4 at 1:30 pm. One practical note from the company: the theater is kept warmer than usual for the dancers, so plan your clothing accordingly.
Philadelphia: Philadelphia Ballet
- Production: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: Dec 4–31, 2026
- Where: Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street (map)
- Running time: about 2 hours 8 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission
- Tickets: philadelphiaballet.org
Philadelphia also dances the Balanchine version, with Marie as the heroine and her brother Fritz along for the party scene. The schedule leans on matinees: many days have a noon show and a 5 pm show, and the run ends with a 12 pm performance on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31.
Chicago: The Joffrey Ballet
- Production: Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: Dec 4–27, 2026
- Where: Lyric Opera House, 20 North Wacker Drive (map)
- Running time: 2 hours
- Tickets: joffrey.org
A Nutcracker with a Chicago story. Wheeldon moved the story to the city on Christmas Eve 1892, when workers were building the World’s Columbian Exposition, and Marie’s dream takes her through the dreamlike fairgrounds of the 1893 World’s Fair. The opening performance is Friday, December 4 at 7 pm, and the last is Sunday, December 27 at 1 pm.
Seattle: Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Production: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: Nov 27 – Dec 27, 2026
- Where: McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St (map)
- Running time: 2 hours 3 minutes, including a 25-minute intermission
- Tickets: pnb.org
PNB dances the Balanchine version with sets by Ian Falconer and the PNB Orchestra in the pit. Opening weekend (November 27–29) comes with extra lobby fun, including photo ops with Snowflakes and Mice. PNB also lists a relaxed performance on Friday, December 11 at 2 pm for people with sensory processing needs. Before then, PNB’s fall program is on stage: see our guide to Ghost Stories at McCaw Hall.
How to Pick a Nutcracker
- Want the classic Balanchine version? New York, Philadelphia and Seattle all dance George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, each with its own company, orchestra and designs.
- Want something different? Chicago’s World’s Fair setting is the most unusual on this list.
- Traveling with kids? Look for matinees. Philadelphia has many midday shows, and NYCB recommends its production for ages 5 and up.
- Need a sensory-friendly or relaxed show? Boston (Dec 4) and Seattle (Dec 11) both list one.
Booking Tips
- Availability differs a lot by date, so if your plans are flexible, compare a few performances before you pick seats.
- Every company on this list sells through its own website. Buy from the official site rather than a resale listing.
- For general ideas on saving money, see How to Get Cheap Ballet Tickets in the US, and for where to sit, How to Choose Seats at a Ballet Performance. If it is your first ballet, our ballet etiquette guide covers what to wear and when to clap.
For what is on stage right now, see Ballet This Week: November Week 1, 2026.
Schedules and prices can change. Please confirm on the official site before booking. Spotted an error? Let me know.
Leave a Reply