‘Tis the season for everyone’s favorite holiday ballet, “The Nutcracker.” We’ve rounded up our favorite versions of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, whether you’re looking for a festive night at the theater without the kids, a family-friendly edition featuring youth dancers or a version with an L.A. twist like the Los Angeles Ballet’s performance, we
Family @ The Playhouse: Bob Baker’s Nutcracker
10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30 – Jan. 5, 2025 | Sierra Madre Playhouse
“Bob Baker’s Nutcracker,” Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s (BBMT) delightful and spellbinding 1969 marionette adaptation of the beloved ballet classic, makes its highly anticipated Sierra Madre Playhouse debut this holiday with 50 performances running from November 30, 2024, through January 5, 2025. A perennial and beloved yuletide tradition for Angelenos of all ages, “Bob Baker’s Nutcracker” has been carefully renovated for this special 2024 presentation at the Playhouse.
The show features more than 100 handcrafted puppets, including Clara and Fred, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, alongside a number of other Bob Baker playful creations. NBC4 proclaims it “a panache-filled fantasia full of marionette-y merriment.”
Bob Baker’s original Nutcracker show, created in 1969, was performed with hand-and-rod puppets, but over the years, BBMT’s talented team of artisans and craftspeople transformed the adaptation of the ballet into a fanciful dreamscape with large-scale marionettes and intricate sets.
American Contemporary Ballet: The Nutcracker Suite
1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30 – Dec. 24 | American Contemporary Ballet
American Contemporary Ballet transports “The Nutcracker” to an immersive snow-filled dream world unlike any other, filled with the enchanting dance and live music you’d expect from L.A.’s most magical holiday ballet… and so much more that you never would, with surprises at every turn. Watch a holiday fantasy become real November 30 through December 24. The company recommends getting tickets early, as performances sell out quickly.
The Nutcracker
2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 6 – 8 | Pasadena Civic Auditorium
Dec. 13-15 | UCLA Royce Hall
Dec. 19-28 | Dolby Theatre
Journey with young Clara and her beloved Nutcracker as they battle the most memorable Mouse King, encounter dancing Snowflakes, and travel to the Palace of the Dolls. Los Angeles Ballet stays true to the traditions of the holiday story with tastes of Southern California such as an elegant Spanish-style Hancock Park home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of Big Bear, Venice Beach archways, and a moonlit Pacific Ocean.
The Nutcracker opens at Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Dec. 6-8), then moves to Royce Hall at UCLA (Dec. 13-15) and culminates holiday week at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood (Dec. 19-28). Performances at Dolby Theatre feature Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra.
Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7 – 24 | Irvine Barclay Theatre
Festival Ballet Theatre’s breathtaking production features superb colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle like new. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score as the Sugar Plum Fairy, our heroine Clara, and a cast of hundreds take you on a magical journey to mystical lands.
Add tickets to Clara’s tea party, $45 for adults and $35 for guests under age 21 to enjoy a pre-performance gourmet tea and champagne party one hour prior to the performance.
Inland Pacific Ballet: The Nutcracker
2 p.m. – 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7 – 8 | Bridges Auditorium
This annual 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.
“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. 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. A wonderful production for all.
In addition to IPB’s Company of professional dancers, the diverse cast includes a total of 62 youth between the ages of 6-18 who make up multiple casts at the two venues. Participating youth come primarily from the IPB Academy, where many are from local area communities.
Special guest artists will be performing in this year’s performances as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier:
Dec. 21 and 22 at Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College in Claremont, former IPB Academy student and now a New York City Ballet principal dancer, and the first Asian American female principal in NYCB’s 75-year history, Mira Nadon returns to IPB’s Nutcracker to dance in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with fellow NYCB principal dancer Peter Walker dancing in the role of Cavalier.
For performances on Dec. 7 and 8 at Bridges and Dec. 14 and 15 at Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, Lori Hernández, a highly sought after guest principal artist who has over 1.2 million followers on TikTok, will dance in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with former American Ballet Theater dancer Marshall Whiteley in the role of Cavalier.
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
12:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 12 – 22 | Segerstrom Center for the Arts
SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Created by one of today’s most celebrated choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky, this dazzling holiday treat features ABT’s roster of superstar dancers along with gorgeous sets and costumes by Tony winner Richard Hudson, and Pacific Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
A limited number of exclusive Sweet Seats are available for performances of The Nutcracker! Along with prime Orchestra seating, this ticket also comes with a Segerstrom Center keepsake ornament, The Nutcracker collectible poster, luxurious Laderach chocolates and a delicious holiday cookie – all in a Segerstrom Center tote bag! Make it a holiday experience your loved ones will remember forever
Dorrance Dance: The Nutcracker Suite
8 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 12 | The Soraya
Tap shoes kick pointe shoes aside in this American version of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker Suite.” Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn reimagined Tchaikovsky’s score in 1960, providing today’s preeminent tap company a platform to jazz up the holidays. The colorful fantasy was featured as the nation’s Nutcracker in 2023 with appearances at the Kennedy Center.
The Nutcracker
1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 – 15 | Alex Theatre
The Red Chair’s annual Nutcracker performance features Los Angeles youth dancers, ages 7 to 18, in principal and supporting roles along with adults.
Experience the wonder as these dancers bring to life the enchanting storybook tale of a young girl’s magical Christmas Eve, taking both her and the audience on a delightful holiday journey with lavish sets, glittering costumes and more.
Long Beach Ballet’s The Nutcracker
2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 – 15, 20 – 22 | Long Beach Convention Center
As always, the beloved production bursts with special guest performances and additional surprise treats the entire family will love.
This production boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, onstage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 250. Former Disney designers Elliot Hessayon and Scott Schaffer created the enchanting scenery, Australian artist Adrian Clark designed the detailed costumes, and renowned magician Franz Harary created the special effects.
Performances Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 15 at 2 p.m., Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m., at the Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.
GMCLA’s SugarPlum Fairies
8 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 – 15 | Saban Theatre
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, comprised of 200 men, will sing and dance 25 songs that celebrate holiday choral traditions and musical confections from classic melodies like “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” from “The Nutcracker,” to popular hits like Dolly’s “Hard Candy Christmas” and Sia’s “Candy Cane Lane!” They will also bring you into a world of “Pure Imagination” with a special tribute to the recent film “Wonka” and the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” showcasing some of the most magical music ever written!
The Nutcracker 2024
3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 20 – 21 | Smothers Theatre
Celebrate the holiday season with a cherished classic tradition as the award-winning California Dance Ensemble presents its 17th annual ballet production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Starring Joel Kioko as the Nutcracker Cavalier and Sophia Shahani as the Sugar Plum Fairy, this stunning production features over 150 performers, including Academy students, pre-professional dancers and professional guest stars. Complete with real snowfall, magical elements, sword fights and sugar plum fairies, this version of “The Nutcracker,” under the direction of Jennifer and Robbin Shahani, is inspired by the ballet’s first American choreographer, Willem Christensen.
California Dance Academy is well-recognized for graduating dancers who have danced professionally with San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Project OC, Milwaukee Ballet, Syracuse City Ballet, and more..
Experience the magic of “The Nutcracker” in this stunning production in Malibu.
