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Nutcracker performances in New York and the surrounding area in 2024
Nutcracker performances are an important part of the Christmas season. As the holidays approach, there are countless opportunities to experience this timeless classic with your family.
Whether you're looking for a traditional ballet performance or a family-friendly adaptation for younger children, we've rounded up the best Nutcracker performances in the New York area this season!
Psst… Check it out 7 magical Christmas windows in NYC
Click on your region to go to events near you!
Manhattan
The Nutcracker by George Balanchine
David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side
Nov. 29-Jan. 4; see website for the full program
All ages
Tickets start at $112
The quintessential New York City holiday experience, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® takes children and adults alike through Tchaikovsky's immortal score. A cast of delightful characters with sensational sets and costumes take audiences to the lush Land Of Sweets for shoreline treats the whole family will enjoy.
The Nutcracker by Francis Patrelle
Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 524 W 59th St., Midtown
December 19-22, Thursday 7 p.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; Sunday, 12 noon and 5 p.m
All ages
$80
Enjoy a magical tour of 1895 New York City with Dances Patrelle. Your journey begins with a Christmas Eve party at Gracie Mansion, attended by dignitaries from around the world, including our new Police Commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt. Exciting when you watch a fight with life-size mice! Then go for an invigorating midnight skate on the Central Park ponds. Finally, take a sleigh ride to the Grand Conservatory of the Bronx Botanical Gardens in time for a beautiful sunrise buffet of sweets, hosted by the Sugar-Plum Fairy. New York City Ballet's Miriam Miller and Tyler Angle lead the cast of Dances Patrelle in this magical and dazzling seasonal treat, offering rich treats for ballet lovers of every age.
92NY Harkness Dance Center presents NUT/CRACKED by the Bang Group
92 St Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side
Saturday, December 14, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; Thursday, December 19, 6:30 PM.
All ages
$10-20
The Bang Group's Nut/Cracked is not your usual holiday dance fare. Shake off the tinsel as choreographer David Parker returns to the 92NY stage for tap, vaudeville, ballet, disco, contemporary dance and genre-nonconforming merriment. Nut/Cracked makes Tchaikovsky's beloved score swing with unexpected arrangements by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians.
Following performances on December 14 at 2:00 PM and December 16 at 6:30 PM, 92NY's Weill Art Gallery will be transformed into a winter wonderland for a family-friendly celebration featuring playful props from the show.
THE NUTCRACKER by New York Theater Ballet
Florence Gould Theater, 55 East 59th St., Midtown
December 21-22, Saturday, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM
All ages
Tickets start at $38
With mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes and dancing flowers, New York Theater Ballet's The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky's beloved score, is set in the turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau style. This hour-long production features a time-bending clock, a light-up owl and enchanting and beloved characters that audiences have enjoyed year after year.
On Saturday, December 21, after the 3:30 p.m. performance, families are invited to the Land of the candy festival for photos with Marie, the Prince and dancers from NYTB.
Bronx
Nutcracker by the Westchester Ballet Company
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Jerome Park
December 14-15, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.
All ages
Tickets start at $34.30
Westchester Ballet Company's Nutcracker is a spectacular, enchanting, full-length presentation of the beloved holiday classic with a cast of 100 dancers. Set in 1830s Europe, this lush ballet tells the story of young Clara as she embarks on a magical journey on Christmas Eve with the fantastic Nutcracker by her side. WBC's production is notable not only for its exquisite choreography, set to Tchaikovsky's beautiful score, but also for its lavish costumes and special effects.
Brooklyn
The hard nut
BAM Peter Jay Sharp Building, Lafayette Ave. Boerum Hill 30
December 14-22, see website for full schedule
Ages 6 and up
Tickets start at $45
The Mark Morris Dance Group's rollicking reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky's beloved The Nutcracker is a sly retro-modern treatment based on ETA Hoffmann's original story and the comic art of Charles Burns. This exuberant, gender-biased love version transplants the story from the troubled 1890s to the swinging 70s, with raucous parties, dancing GI Joes, whimsical costumes and a 'Waltz of the Snowflakes' like no other.
The Nutcracker: The Ukrainian Grand Kiev Ballet
Oceana Theater, 1029 Brighton Beach Ave., Brighton Beach
Sunday, December 22, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
All ages
$41-$84
Join the Ukrainian Grand Kiev Ballet on an unforgettable journey into a world full of dreams, magic and triumph over evil. Experience a heartwarming performance that has been thrilling audiences on stages around the world for years as the Ballet Troupe presents the company's first national tour of the beloved classic The Nutcracker.
Hip hop nutcracker
Kings Theater, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush
Monday, December 23, 7:00 PM
All ages
Tickets start at $40
This contemporary dance extravaganza is a remixed and reimagined version of the classic, soul-crushing hip-hop dance and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky combined into a heartbreaking and inspiring holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerful cast of ten all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow, one of the founders of hip hop, who opens the show with a short set. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of ETA Hoffmann's beloved story from traditional 19th-century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.
Queens
The Nutcracker by Keith Michael
Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing
Sunday, December 1, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Ages 3 and up
$30
Experience the holiday magic with the New York Theater Ballet's one-hour rendition of The Nutcracker. This reimagined classic, with mesmerizing choreography by Keith Michael, brings Tchaikovsky's beloved score to life in the Art Nouveau style of 1907. Don't miss the captivating mice, dancing devils and other delightful surprises that will enchant audiences.
The Nutcracker
Queens Theater, 14 United Nations Ave. South, Corona
Sunday, December 1, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Ages 5 and up
$35 in advance; $40 at the door
Be enchanted by the timeless story of The Nutcracker performed by professional NYC dancers accompanied by students from Studio E School. Start your Christmas season with this breathtaking performance.
The Nutcracker and visit to Santa's Toyland
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City
Sunday, December 15, 4:00 PM
All ages
$32
Students from the Joffrey Ballet School's Children's & Youth Ballet program present the entire two-act holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker.” After the show, visit Santa's Toyland! This annual tradition has become a favorite family event where children can meet Santa Claus and leave with a special gift.
Long Island
The Nutcracker by Keith Michael
Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing
Sunday, December 1, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Ages 3 and up
$30
Experience the holiday magic with the New York Theater Ballet's one-hour rendition of The Nutcracker. This reimagined classic, with mesmerizing choreography by Keith Michael, brings Tchaikovsky's beloved score to life in the Art Nouveau style of 1907. Don't miss the captivating mice, dancing devils and other delightful surprises that will enchant audiences.
The Nutcracker
Queens Theater, 14 United Nations Ave. South, Corona
Sunday, December 1, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Ages 5 and up
$35 in advance; $40 at the door
Be enchanted by the timeless story of The Nutcracker performed by professional NYC dancers accompanied by students from Studio E School. Start your Christmas season with this breathtaking performance.
The Nutcracker and visit to Santa's Toyland
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City
Sunday, December 15, 4:00 PM
All ages
$32
Students from the Joffrey Ballet School's Children's & Youth Ballet program present the entire two-act holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker.” After the show, visit Santa's Toyland! This annual tradition has become a favorite family event where children can meet Santa Claus and leave with a special gift.
New Jersey
Nutcracker by the New Jersey Ballet
Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
December 7-8, Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM.
All ages
$35-$65
New Jersey Ballet has been enchanting audiences with its spectacular performances for more than half a century. Audiences of all ages will feel the magic of the holidays as these iconic toys beautifully come to life and dance to the beloved music of this timeless story.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark
Sunday, December 8, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
All ages
$39-$79
NJPAC's original holiday extravaganza remixes and reinterprets Tchaikovsky's ballet with supercharged hip-hop choreography. A dozen unstoppable all-star dancers go all out from start to finish, delivering the classic story of The Nutcracker in New York City style. Expect twists, turns and loads of fun in this full-length show that celebrates love, community and the magic of the season. Kurtis Blow, one of the founders of hip-hop, sets the atmosphere as a guest MC.
Psst… Check it out NYC Christmas tree and holiday tree Enlightenment 2024
The Nutcracker The State Ballet Theater of Ukraine
NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark
Sunday, December 15, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
All ages
$39-$89
The holiday spectacle of the State Ballet Theater of Ukraine takes you to a dazzling winter wonderland full of toy soldiers and colorful characters. Tchaikovsky's beloved score is full of instantly recognizable music, including “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Waltz of the Snowflakes” and more.
The Nutcracker
New Jersey State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
December 20-22, see website for full schedule
All ages
$29-$69
Experience the joy and celebration of this Christmas tradition and make memories that will last a lifetime – with exciting choreography, Tchaikovsky's beautiful score, a cast of over 100 dancers, and the only American Repertory Ballet performances with a live orchestra and choir!
Shara Levine
