One of the most watched performances, attending The Nutcracker is something many people make a tradition of doing every holiday season. Here’s a list of many of the live performances of The Nutcracker in Orange County.
The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker is a ballet based on the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann and adapted by Alexandre Dumas with music by Tchaikovsky. A young girl, Clara’s nutcracker comes to life on Christmas Eve. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on an enchanting journey to a magical land of dolls with music, dancing, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Mouse King. When Clara awakens the next morning under the Christmas Tree, she is still holding her nutcracker in her arms.
For more holiday ballets and musical performances, see our Winter Events page
American Ballet Theatre at Segerstrom Center For The Art
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Performance by American Ballet Theatre
December 11-21, 2025 | Multiple showtimes available
The Segerstrom Center hosts the annual performance of The Nutcracker by the American Ballet Theatre with music performed by the Pacific Symphony. This is one of the most popular performances in Orange County with more than 100 performers in extravagant costumes.
Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Center For The Art
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Performance by American Ballet Theatre
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
TheFestival Ballet Theatre presents a 45-minute children’s performance of the Nutcracker with free activities in the lobby prior to the performances. Performances are on
Anaheim Ballet Performs The Nutcracker at the City National Grove
City National Grove Of Anaheim | 2200 E Katella Ave, Anaheim
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 7 PM
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 2 PM & 7 PM
The Nutcracker Ballet at the Grove of Anaheim will be performed by Anaheim Ballet.
Festival Ballet Theatre at Irvine Barclay Theater
4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Performance by Festival Ballet Theatre
Saturday/Sunday, December 6-7, 13-14, 20-24, 2025
Festival Ballet Theatre presents a traditional version of The Nutcracker and a special pre-show Nutcracker Tea Party on select dates.
Nutcracker for Kids at Irvine Barclay Theater
The Nutcracker: Abridged Matinee for Young Audiences
4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Performance by Festival Ballet Theatre
Friday, December 5, 2025
This one-hour, narrated rendition of The Nutcracker is specially designed to introduce elementary and junior high school students to the beauty of classical ballet and music.
Ballet Academy & Movement | Casa Nutcracker – Casa Romantica
415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
December 4-5, 2025 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Watch the timeless classical ballet The Nutcracker at Casa Romantica’s intimate Main Salon theater.
The Nutcracker by Laguna Dance Theatre/Laguna Ballet
San Juan Hills High School | 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Sunday, December 21, 2025
The whole family will enjoy this performance of The Nutcracker by Laguna Dance Theatre/Laguna Ballet.
Ballet Academy & Movement at San Juan Hills High School
San Juan Hills High School | 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 5PM
Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 11:30AM and 2PM
The whole family will enjoy this performance of The Nutcracker by Ballet Academy & Movement.
Pryntsev Ballet Academy
Capistrano Valley High School Performing Arts Theater | 26301 Via Escolar, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Performance presented by: Pryntsev Ballet Academy
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 3pm & 6PM
Pryntsev Ballet Academy is excited to present its annual performance of The Nutcracker. This is a slightly abbreviated version of the classical ballet production with a cast ranging from 5 – 18+ years of age it is great for all ages to see.
Nouveau Chamber Ballet at Fullerton College
Fullerton College Campus Theater | 321 E. Chapman Avenue, Fullerton California 92832
Saturday & Sunday, December 20-21, 2025 | 2 PM
Lois Ellyn Ballet Studio and Nouveau Chamber Ballet will be presenting an abridged version of the Nutcracker Ballet. This is a 90-minute performance for all ages with meet & greets with characters for kids.
Tustin Dance Center at Downey Theatre
Downey Theatre | 8435 Firestone Boulevard, Downey, California 90241
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 2:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 21, 2025 | 2:00 pm
The Tustin Dance Center presents The Nutcracker Ballet. Dozens of ballerinas and dance students of all ages will perform at the Downey Theatre.
Coast City Ballet at Huntington Beach Historic Theater
Huntington Beach Historic Theater
1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA
Saturday/Sunday, December 20-21, 2025
Coast City Ballet has been performing The Nutcracker since 2004 and it has become one of the Southern California/Orange County areas most beloved productions of this classic ballet.
Company members, guest artists, and dancers from throughout California come together to present the story of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker in a family friendly full-length production with enchanting snowflakes and magical dance throughout Clara’s journey.
Ballet Repertory Theatre at Golden West College
Golden West College | 15744 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach
December 12 – December 24, 2025 | Select Dates
The Golden West College performance of The Nutcracker is put on by the Ballet Repertory Theatre. With over 45 years, this is the longest running performance of The Nutcracker in Orange County. Come out and watch as more than 300 performers bring the magical world of The Nutcracker to life.
Ballet Etudes at Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School | 1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2PM and 7PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 2PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 | 2PM and 7PM
Huntington Beach High School and Ballet Etude host several performances of The Nutcracker. This popular full-length production by Ballet Etudes is a local favorite. More than 100 young dancers from Orange County present this 2-hour performance with music by Tchaikovsky, professional costumes, snow and other special effects. Educational presentations are given 30 minutes before the beginning of the 2pm performances.
Ballet Etudes Nutcracker for Kids at HB Central Children’s Library
Huntington Beach Central Children’s Library
Saturday & Sunday, December 20-21, 2025
Ballet Etudes presents The Nutcracker Ballet. In this short-format version of the holiday classic, children and families will travel through magical lands with Clara and the Nutcracker. This version of the story is perfect for caregivers looking to introduce their little ones to ballet as an art form.
Nutcracker for Kids + Ballet at Pacific City
The Reading Reef (Pacific City) | 21010 Pacific Coast Highway Level 1, Huntington Beach, CA
Wednesday, December TBA | 4 – 5pm
Enjoy a story time with local author and entrepreneur Maureen McCabe plus a brief demonstration of Festival Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. Guests can also partake in a mini ballet class with the ballerinas and make a nutcracker themed craft. Dress in your finest ballet or nutcracker costume and make a holiday themed craft.
Ballet Etudes – The Nutcracker at Bella Terra
Bella Terra | On The Green by Century Theatres
7777 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach
Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 7 PM
Come see Clara, the Nutcracker, Rat King, Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen perform as Ballet Etudes presents excerpts from The Nutcracker. Children from Huntington Academy of Dance will also perform their holiday dances.
A Nutcracker Sweet Christmas at the Nixon Library
Nixon Presidential Library | 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA
Tuesday, December TBA | 5 PM – 8 PM
Snap photos with Santa Claus in the Cabinet Room, help feed Santa’s Reindeer before their big trek, craft magical ornaments, build a hot cocoa confection, enjoy Back-Burner Soup from Polly’s Pies, sing along with Christmas-clad carolers, and hear the sweet melodies of the Nutcracker ballet, as well as other Christmas favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Nutcracker ballet?
There are many different versions of the Nutcracker ballet but generally they are between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours (with intermissions). Children’s performances are usually about 1 hour.
Who wrote the Nutcracker?
In 1816 German author E.T.A. Hoffmann wrote the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” The story was adapted in 1844 by the French author Alexandre Dumas. In 1892, Russian composer Tchaikovsky and Russian choreographer Marius Petipa made it into a two act ballet called “The Nutcracker.”
Where was the nutcracker first performed?
The Nutcracker ballet was first performed at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia on December 17, 1892.
How many acts are there in The Nutcracker Ballet?
There are two acts in the Nutcracker ballet.
Who wrote the original Nutcracker music?
Russian Pyotr Tchaikovsky composed the Nutcracker music in 1892.
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