Nutcracker shows to see this holiday season in SoCal!
Who doesn’t love the Nutcracker? This delightful story combines the magic of Christmas with a fairy tale adventure. The Nutcracker is a little boy who fights a battle against an evil Mouse King and his army of rats in order to save his beautiful princess friend, Clara. It’s one of our favorite holiday show year after year because it has everything we love about the season: magic, dancing, singing, and plenty of festive costumes! If you and your family are looking for places to see the Nutcracker this year, check out this list to find a show in or near Los Angeles.
What Is a Nutcracker Show?💂🩰
The Nutcracker (aka The Nutcracker and the Mouse King) is a ballet performed by a full orchestra. The story is a holiday fairy tale, but the music is classical music. It’s a dramatic and beautiful story that tells the adventures of a little boy named Marie and his friend Clara, who have to defeat the evil Mouse King with the help of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Nutcracker is a ballet you’re likely to see at the end of the year because it’s a perfect show for the holidays.
1310 11th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Saturday November 26, 2022, 1 & 5 pm
Sunday November 27, 2022, 1 & 5 pm
Saturday December 3, 2022, 1 & 5 pm
Sunday December 4, 2022, 1 & 5 pm
From the moment the lights dim, you’ll be transported to a magical world of Christmas fantasy. The merriment and joy of the season are celebrated in the Victorian-style party scene, menacing mice battle with toy soldiers, and a dashing Prince travels with Clara through the Land of Snow where swirling flurries are conjured by the sparkling Snow Queen. As the curtain rises on Act II, angels poised on clouds herald the arrival of Clara and her Prince to the Land of the Sweets. Clara is entertained by Spanish chocolate, Arabian coffee, Peppermints, Chinese tea, marzipan Mirlitons, and more, as they each perform for her. Tickets are $50 per person.
Royce Hall UCLA
10745 Dickson Ct,
Los Angeles, CA 90095
December 16 - 18, 2022
12 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with some surprises! This production is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Throughout the five scenes in two acts are hints and tastes of Southern California - a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, Venice archways, a moonlit Pacific Ocean and more! Tickets start at $30 per person.
111 S Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
December 3, 2022, 8 pm
December 4, 2022, 4 pm
December 14, 2022, 8 pm
December 18, 2022, 2 pm
Dudamel conducts the holiday favorite with a twist when he leads both Tchaikovsky’s original as well as Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington’s swinging reimagination of the many colors and drama of the original. Before the concert, some of the sharpest musical minds around – including members of the LA Phil – guide you through the evening’s music, complete with a Q&A session. Tickets start at $89 per person.
111 S Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
December 10, 2022 at 11 am
December 17, 2022 at 11 am
Gustavo Dudamel hosts and conducts this special 45-minute concert designed for ages 5 to 11 featuring the drama and many musical colors of Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite. Plus, enjoy a pre-concert art activity with your family, starting at 10 am. Tickets start at $23.
6400 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Nov 19, 2022, – Dec 31, 2022
11 am - 5 PM
From the producers of the blockbuster, critically acclaimed original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit comes the ultimate holiday experience for the entire family: The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle! For nearly 130 years, The Nutcracker has enchanted families around the world; from ballet productions to movies and more, and now you can experience this timeless holiday tale like never before! Your family will be enchanted by Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music as this stunning immersive experience brings the joy of the holidays to life. Tickets start at $26.99.
4949 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Nov 26 – Jan 8
Various Times
The Nutcracker Prince cordially invites you to his Magic Kingdom on a Mountain of Sweetmeats! The show will take you on an adventure through the wizardry of strings and into the enchanted world of the fantastic... NUTCRACKER. Meet the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes, dance with the Waltzing Flowers, cheer for the Nutcracker band, The Go-Go's, and marvel at the wonders beyond the Mysterious Door! Tickets are $28 per person.
Two California Plaza
350 S Grand Ave suite 2850
Los Angeles, CA 90071
November 25 - December 24, 2022
1 pm - 8 pm
An immersive experience—for all five senses—of the Tchaikovsky classic that delights children and adults alike. Once you’ve entered The Nutcracker Suite, you may not want to go home. Performances followed by an artist reception with live music. Tickets start at $65 per person.
Dolby Theatre
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
December 22, 2022 at 2 pm
December 23, 2022 at 2 pm
December 23, 2022 at 8 pm
December 24, 2022 at 12 pm
December 26, 2022 at 2 pm
Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with some surprises! This production is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Throughout the five scenes in two acts are hints and tastes of Southern California - a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, Venice archways, a moonlit Pacific Ocean and more! Tickets start at $30 per person.
Alex Theatre
216 N Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
Dec 3 – Dec 4, 2022
2 pm & 6 pm
Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with some surprises! This production is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Throughout the five scenes in two acts are hints and tastes of Southern California - a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, Venice archways, a moonlit Pacific Ocean and more! Tickets start at $30 per person.
Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale 91203
December 10th at 1 pm and 6 pm
December 11th at 2 pm
Featuring top youth dancers from across Los Angeles, representing twenty-five different dance studios, Red Chair Productions' The Nutcracker is a production like none other in the area. Amidst lavish sets and glittering costumes, Los Angeles's top young dancers bring to life the enchanting storybook tale of a young girl’s magical Christmas Eve that takes her, and the audience, on a delightful and exciting journey. Tickets start at $6 per person.
300 E Ocean Blvd #300
Long Beach, CA 90802
Fri. December 16th – 7:30 p.m.
Sat. December 17th – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sun. December 18th – 2:00 p.m.
Thu. December 22nd – 7:30 p.m.
Fri. December 23 – 7:30 p.m.
Voted “Best-Loved Nutcracker in the Nation” by Goldstar audience survey in 2018 and 2019, the Long Beach Nutcracker returns to the Terrace Theater December 17th – 19th. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed: “Crammed with special effects, the familiar Long Beach Ballet version of The Nutcracker has nearly everything money can buy. For opulent, family-oriented entertainment — seek no further.” Tickets start at $35 per person.
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
December 1 - 4, 2022
2 pm & 7:30 pm
Following the idea of the original, it's Christmas Eve and the Johnsons are having a grand party. The Christmas gifts are shared and young Kara receives a Nutcracker filled with hot chocolate-her favorite. She falls asleep and the journey begins when the Nutcracker comes alive! With dazzling choreography, music and costumes, this is a holiday theater experience that all ages will enjoy. Tickets start at $50 per person.
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
December 10, 2022 at 12 pm & 5 pm
December 11, 2022 at 12 pm
Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with some surprises! This production is set in 1912 Los Angeles. Throughout the five scenes in two acts are hints and tastes of Southern California - a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, Venice archways, a moonlit Pacific Ocean and more! Tickets start at $30 per person.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
December 9 - 18, 2022
2 pm & 7 pm
Join Segerstrom Center for the Arts for one of the sweetest treats of the holiday season: American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Travel with curious Clara and her adventurous prince as they journey through a kingdom filled with colorful characters and pure holiday magic. Tickets start at $29.
3801 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
Saturday, December 17, 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2 pm
The Nutcracker comes to life in this magnificent ballet with beautiful sets, dazzling costumes, Tchaikovsky’s classic score, and more than 80 dancers on stage. This annual holiday production 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. Toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, falling snow, a fantastic dream with battling mice, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, gingerbread characters, and the delightful Sugar Plum Fairy stir the imagination. Tickets start at $24.
12505 Cultural Center Drive
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Saturday, December 3: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 4: 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 10: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: 2 p.m.
3801 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
Saturday, December 17: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 18: 2:00 p.m.
Experience the magic of the holidays with family and friends at southern California’s most spectacular production of The Nutcracker from the critically acclaimed Inland Pacific Ballet. The Nutcracker comes to life in this magnificent ballet with beautiful sets, dazzling costumes, Tchaikovsky’s classic score, and more than 80 dancers on stage.
This annual holiday production 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. Toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, falling snow, a fantastic dream with battling mice, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, gingerbread characters, and the delightful Sugar Plum Fairy stir the imagination. This is family entertainment at its best. Tickets start at $24 with senior/child/group discounts available.
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