Holiday "Nutcracker" Performances in the Bay Area
The San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker performs December 6–29. Photo: San Francisco Ballet © Erik Tomasson
Tchaikovsky's classic ballet The Nutcracker is time-honored Christmas tradition in many communities. You'll find a wide variety of Nutcracker performances throughout Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area this holiday season, from fun introductions for younger kids to elaborately staged, full-length ballet productions. Here's our guide to performances of San Francisco Bay Area Nutcrackers.
Note that ticket prices can fluctuate throughout the season, especially for high-demand performances; prices listed here are accurate as of publishing but may change. Check with each for details.
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
Photo: San Francisco Ballet © Erik Tomasson
War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
December 5–28
Experience 200 costumed characters, dazzling scenery, Tchaikovsky's beautiful score performed live by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and the opulence of the War Memorial Opera House decorated for Christmas. Tickets to this time-honored holiday tradition are going fast! This is a full-length ballet performance, so the SF Ballet recommends Nutcracker for children ages 5 and up, and requests that no children under 3, including infants in arms, attend. Tickets: $50 and up. Event details
Marin Ballet Nutcracker
Novato High School Center for the Arts
December 6 & 7
Celebrate Marin County’s beloved Nutcracker tradition with Marin Ballet’s full-length ballet classic, rich in the dazzling enchantment of old-fashioned theatrical grandeur and holiday sentiment. Featuring over 125 dancers and elaborate Victorian costumes and sets. One weekend only! $52 adults, $30 youth and seniors. Event details
Stapleton School of the Performing Arts Nutcracker
Palace of Fine Arts Theater, San Francisco
December 19–21
The vibrant Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker provides a magical start to the holiday season! Now in its 37th year, this production features inspired dancing, exquisite costumes and lavish sets. Event details
Marin Conservatory of Dance Nutcracker
Novato High School Center for the Arts
December 13 & 14
Join Marin Conservatory of Dance this holiday season for their version of this timeless classic, filled with enchanting music, dazzling costumes, and mesmerizing dancers. Perfect for the whole family. Event details
Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets
Cowell Theatre, Fort Mason, San Francisco
December 6–21
Celebrate the holidays at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture with Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets, a 50-minute production of the classic holiday ballet for families with small children and audiences of all ages. This special production is danced storytelling that is affordable, magical, zany, and fun. Tickets: $23.50–$65.50. Event details
San Francisco's Youth Ballet Nutcracker
Terra Nova Theater, Pacifica
December 6
This 2-hour, full-length Nutcracker production is geared toward families and is a perfect opportunity to introduce young children to this holiday ballet tradition. Sugar Plum VIP tickets include the best seats in the house and an exclusive photo op with the main characters after the show. Event details
Wicked Dance Along Nutcracker
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
December 6 & 7
Enjoy music from The Nutcracker ballet, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wiz, performed live by the 75-piece San Francisco Pride Band! Part comedy musical, part dance-it-yourself ballet, and part symphonic concert, the Dance-Along Nutcracker features the holiday fun and tradition you’ve come to expect from this San Francisco favorite of 40 years. Tickets: $30 and up. Event details
Petaluma School of Ballet Nutcracker
Evert B. Person Theater, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park
December 12–14
Petaluma School of Ballet and North Coast Ballet California presents a full-length production of The Nutcracker. Tickets: $29.35–$39.85. Event details
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa
December 18
Now in its 33rd year, this touring production features lavish sets and costumes, an international cast of award-winning dancers, and 10-foot-tall puppets. Tickets: $37 and up. Event details
Berkeley City Ballet Nutcracker
Alan Harvey Theater, Piedmont
December 20
The Berkeley City Ballet features a full-length Nutcracker production featuring dancers from their Pre-Professional Program alongside professional guests artists from companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Diablo Ballet, and Oakland Ballet. Tickets: $35 general admission. Event details
Graham Lustig's Nutcracker
Paramount Theatre, Oakland
December 20 & 21
Celebrate the holiday season with the Oakland Ballet's production of Graham Lustig's Nutcracker, at the Paramount Theater with the Oakland Symphony and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. Tickets: $34.55 and up. Enhance your Nutcracker experience by adding on a ticket to the Sweet Dreams Party where you will meet the cast and characters of The Nutcracker, pose for photographs, collect autographs, and enjoy treats and refreshments. Event details
Grand Kyiv Ballet Nutcracker
Bay Area performances in San Francisco and Hayward
This touring ballet company from Ukraine presents its full-length version of Tchaikovsky's ballet at venues around the Bay Area throughout the month of December. Event details
