Get ready for the holidays and reserve your tickets early. Nutcracker performances are a holiday tradition for many families and may sell out.
Alameda Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 2 and 3. This community favorite returns. Ticket information TBA.
Castro Valley Center for the Arts, 19501 Redwood Road, Castro Valley
Ballet Petit
DEC. 2. Hayward classical ballet school Ballet Petit will present its 45th anniversary Nutcracker featuring new and pre-professional dancers performing this holiday favorite that takes the audience through Clara’s magical dream. 2pm and 7pm. $25 adults, $20 seniors and children under 12.
Chabot College Performing Arts Complex, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward.
Black Diamond Ballet’s Nutcracker
DEC. 8-17. A cast of over 40 professional dancers, local cultural performers, student dancers and community members will perform in this 11th annual holiday classic. A one-hour, sensory-friendly performance will be offered on Dec. 16. $17-32.
El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch
Cirque Nutcracker
DEC. 5-6. Troupe Vertigo’s spellbinding performances delight the imagination through stunning physical feats choreographed into works of art. Experience their innovative mix of circus-dance-theater in a program with the San Francisco Symphony. 7:30pm. $39-139.
Davies symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
sfsymphony.org/buy-tickets/2023-24/troupe-vertigo
Diablo Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite
NOV. 3-4. Diablo Ballet opens its landmark 30th season with a newly expanded version of Julia Adam’s smash holiday hit. $28-57.
Lesher Center for the Arts Hoffman Theater, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
diabloballet.org/nutcracker-suite
Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 16-17. Oakland Ballet performs with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery and imaginative costumes, accompanied by the Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. Sweets Dreams parties, with treats and character meet and greets, are available after matinees for $20. From $29.70-126.80 adults.
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
NOV. 11. See the tour of this re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, combining hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music in a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. 7pm. $39.50-88.50.
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland
Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker
DEC. 9-10. Clara’s magical Christmas Eve dreams return this year, featuring the artistry of 125 dancers and elaborate Victorian costumes and sets. Ticket prices TBA.
Marin School of the Arts Theater, 625 Arthur St., Novato
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets
DEC. 2-23. This unique 50-minute production, designed for families with small children and audiences of all ages, is affordable, magical, zany and fun. The 1:30pm performance on Dec. 23 features “Santa is Coming.” $23.50-49.50.
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. Marina Blvd. and Buchanan Street, San Francisco
New Ballet’s The San Jose Nutcracker
DEC. 16-23. This joyful holiday production transports the well-loved story to turn-of-the-century San Jose, with historical references that highlight the valley setting as a birthplace of innovation. Families with young children can attend a 55-minute “My Very First Nutcracker” (tickets from $17) on Dec. 17 at 11am. $25-95.
California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
DEC. 19. This is the 31st annual North American tour, with new choreography that blends classical ballet with cutting-edge circus techniques. It showcases a record number of international talent including principal dancers from Ukraine and 40 world-class artists from Japan, Italy, Turkey and more. 7pm. $45.50 and up.
Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco
The Original San Jose Nutcracker
DEC. 8-10. San José Dance Theatre celebrates 58 years of magic with the longest-running live production of The Nutcracker in San Jose, a Bay Area family tradition since 1964. An abbreviated version of excerpts, My Very First Nutcracker, takes place Dec. 8 at 10:30am ($15). $44-99.
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose
Pacific Ballet Academy Nutcracker Ballet
NOV. 24-26. Pacific Ballet Academy presents its 32nd annual performance of the holiday ballet. A shorter, sensory-friendly version, with Act 32 only, is scheduled for Nov. 26 at 2pm. $15-30.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts MainStage, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Peninsula Ballet Theatre Nutcrackers
DEC. 2-17. This company offers four different Nutcracker productions including classical, hip-hop and abridged versions for younger audiences, performed at two venues. Check website for details.
Ramon Moreno School of Ballet’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 9-10. Students of the Ramon Moreno School of Ballet perform this iconic ballet.
Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
ramonmorenoballet.com/nutcracker
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
DEC. 13-30. Experience the magical winter wonderland of toy soldiers, King of the Mice, Sugar Plum Fairy and so much more. This dazzling production is a kaleidoscope of over 150 dancers accompanied by the SF Ballet Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. A sensory- and family-friendly performance is scheduled for Dec. 30 at 11am. No one under age 3 admitted. $25-525.
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
sfballet.org/productions/nutcracker
Valley Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 9-17. For more than 40 years, this full production of The Nutcracker, accompanied by the Valley Dance Theatre Pit Orchestra, has entertained families with elaborate sets, skilled dancers and beautiful costumes. $25-49, 2 and under FREE.
Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First St., Livermore
Western Ballet’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 1-3. This holiday tradition is 1.5 hours long with one intermission and is appropriate for all ages. $38-43.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View