George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® Returns to Philadelphia Ballet, Dec 8-30

Philadelphia Ballet proudly presents the return of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, a dazzling holiday classic featuring over 170 dancers, accompanied by the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra. The Nutcracker opens December 8 and runs through December 30 at the Academy of Music. With 31 performances, including sensory- friendly options, The Nutcracker is not only one of the company’s most enchanting productions, but also one of the most complex ballets in the company’s repertoire. Tickets, starting at $25 for all performances and just $10 for opening night, are now available at philadelphiaballet.org.

“The Nutcracker is our company’s largest and most dazzling productions featuring 47 company dancers and 130 School of Philadelphia Ballet students in over 150 breathtaking costumes,” said Angel Corella, The Ruth & A. Morris Williams, Jr. Artistic Director. “There is so much that goes into each performance and our entire company from the Principal dancers to our youngest students, work extremely hard to bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life for our audiences. With hundreds of roles, exquisite set designs and mesmerizing music, there’s something new to discover in every performance.”

George Balanchine’s grand spectacle, The Nutcracker, has captivated generations of audiences with resplendent costumes, opulent sets and spectacular choreography. Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, The Nutcracker follows Marie on a night of adventure as she is transported from her bedroom to The Land of Sweets, a magical wonderland where flowers waltz, snowflakes twirl, and enchanted toys transform into handsome princes. A cherished holiday tradition, this is a story beloved by all ages.

“It’s always our goal to find connection and spread joy through dance. It’s heartwarming to see so many families and friends come together over the holidays to enjoy The Nutcracker year after year,” said Shelly Power, The Dr. Carolyn Newsom Executive Director. “We’re honored to be a part of the special traditions and everlasting memories of so many.”

The 2023 Philadelphia Ballet production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is made possible by Independence Blue Cross.

Related Events:

Daddy & Me – Sunday December 10, 2023 | 12 p.m.
Inspired by Philadelphia Ballet Board Trustee, Lloyd Freeman, Esq.,“Daddy and Me” encourages Black fathers to bring their families to The Nutcracker. This is part of an effort to diversify ballet in the audience and on stage, particularly for children from underrepresented communities. The discount code, PBBALLETDAD, allows for one $50 ticket and two $25 tickets.

Nutcracker Tea – December 16 & 17 from 2-4pm | DoubleTree Hotel
Step into the fantasy land of sweets and celebrate The Nutcracker! This is an opportunity for families to enjoy refreshments for all, and children to engage with the Sugar Plum fairy, other characters from The Nutcracker – even Santa Claus.

Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Nutcracker – Tuesday, December 26 | 12 p.m.
This performance is designed to welcome guests who are neurodiverse, have sensory sensitivities and need additional accessibility accommodations to enjoy the ballet. This one-of-a- kind performance offers accommodations to make the experience even more welcoming for all including adjusted lighting and sound; lower sound levels throughout the performance; and the option to move freely during the performance.

For more information about The Nutcracker, related events and the other productions of Philadelphia Ballet’s 2023/2024 60^th anniversary season, please visit philadelphiaballet.org.