George Balanchine's The Nutcracker // Pacific Northwest Ballet

November 27 – December 27, 2026

George Balanchine's

The Nutcracker^®

Buy Tickets to The Nutcracker

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® has been an integral part of Pacific Northwest holiday celebrations for over a decade. This magical, candy-filled adventure is ready to complete your annual traditions with friends and family! We’ll whisk you from our sparkling lobby to your comfortable seats, where you’ll enjoy Sugar Plum-perfect dance performances, the magnificence of the PNB Orchestra, spectacular sets and costumes, and holiday cheer around every corner.

Running Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes, including a 25-minute intermission

Nutcracker Parking

VIP SUGARPLUM BOXES

Digital Nutcracker

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Totally unique – a gorgeous spectacle!

The Ballet Herald

Read the History of the Nutcracker

Story of Clara and The Nutcracker

Facts About The Nutcracker

Nutcracker “Grow Ups”

10 Fun Facts for The Nutcracker’s 10th Anniversary!

Backstage Nutcracker Magic: Photo Essay

What to Wear to The Nutcracker

Events

Opening Weekend Enchanted Lobby

PNB’s festive opening weekend lobby is enhanced by photo ops with Snowflakes and Mice, pop-up magic shows, and Almond Roca from Tacoma’s own Brown & Haley for a sweet treat on the ride home.

Date

November 27, 2026

– November 29, 2026

Time

Every Opening Weekend Performance

Where

McCaw Hall

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Audio Described Performances

Pacific Northwest Ballet is delighted to offer select audio-described performances for visually impaired and blind patrons for only $20 per ticket. The $20 subsidized ticket rate is offered to patrons utilizing a listening device, plus one companion (additional tickets may be added at the standard or child rate).

Date

December 4, 2026

– December 12, 2026

Time

7:30pm

Where

McCaw Hall

Cost

$20

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Meet Me at the Ballet: A Nutcracker Social

Looking to meet new friends this holiday season? Join PNB and the Seattle Chamber of Connections for a pre-show gathering designed to make meeting new people a little easier. Mingle with fellow guests, enjoy a hot chocolate bar, and thaw the Seattle Freeze before enjoying the magic of The Nutcracker!

Date

December 10, 2026

Time

7:30pm

Where

McCaw Hall

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The Nutcracker Relaxed Performance

Relaxed performances are designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people with sensory processing challenges to enjoy the shared experience of live ballet with their friends and family. This performance will have a relaxed environment including lighting and sound modifications and entry/exit privileges. In this performance we understand that patrons may move, vocalize, and behave in ways that are sometimes not welcome in formal performance settings.

Date

December 11, 2026

Time

2:00pm

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Beer & Ballet

PNB’s Beer & Ballet Nights have become a favorite of hopheads and bunheads all around town. This performance will feature $5 beer specials, and the opportunity to spin-to-win a PNB coozie!

Date

December 16, 2026

Time

7:30pm

Where

McCaw Hall

Learn More About Beer and Ballet
Ugly Sweater Day

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and so is that winter outfit you’ve been holding onto as a guilty pleasure: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is traditionally the third Friday in December. Celebrate by wearing your fabulously garish sweaters to the performance! Bonus points for matching outfits: Fun and embarrassment for the whole family!

Date

December 18, 2026

Time

7:30pm

Where

McCaw Hall

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NutKraken Themed Performance

Hockey fans who are also ballet lovers can make it a double-header at Seattle Center, by attending the matinee of The Nutcracker, then cheering on the Kraken at 6:40 as they face off against the San Jose Sharks. Bonus points to guests wearing their Kraken jerseys to The Nutcracker. Oh, Buoy!

Date

December 22, 2026

Time

2:00pm

Where

McCaw Hall

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Pajama Day Themed Performances

Feeling worn out as the holiday season winds down? Relax and join PNB for the matinee (12:30pm) or evening (5:30pm) performance on Pajama Day. Guests are encouraged to wear their most festive PJs.

Date

December 27, 2026

Where

McCaw Hall

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The Nutcracker Poems

What Nutcracker Character Are You? Quiz

Behind-the-Scenes of The Nutcracker with PNB Production Stage Manager Sandy Barrack 

Meet The Princes

Casting

Casting is posted five days in advance.

Program Credits

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

Composer

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreographer

George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Costume Design

Ian Falconer

Lighting Design

James F. Ingalls

Scenic Design

Ian Falconer

Premiere

February 2, 1954
New York City Ballet

Read the Full Program Credits

Luther DeMyer as Mother Ginger; Zsilas Michael Hughes as Candy Cane; Clara and the Prince; The Nutcracker and Mouse King; Madison Rayn Abeo and Christian Poppe as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier; Hare Drummer, Mouse King, and The Nutcracker; Polichinelle; Amanda Morgan as Dewdrop; Lily Wills as Coffee in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photos © Lindsay Thomas and Angela Sterling.