Where to See The Nutcracker in Orange County 2026
From full-length productions to shorter performances designed for young children, Orange County has many ways to experience The Nutcracker during the 2026 holiday season. Use this guide to find Nutcracker performances in Costa Mesa, Irvine, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Fullerton and other Orange County communities.
Last updated September 2026. Some organizations have not yet announced their 2026 performance dates; those listings are marked TBA and will be updated as schedules are released.
2026 Nutcracker Performances at a Glance
- American Ballet Theatre – Costa Mesa: December 10-24, 2026
- The Nutcracker for Kids – Costa Mesa: December 5, 2026
- Anaheim Ballet – Anaheim: November 27-28, 2026
- Festival Ballet Theatre – Irvine: December 5-24, 2026
- Casa Nutcracker – San Clemente: December 4, 2026
- Nouveau Chamber Ballet – Fullerton: December 19-20, 2026
- Ballet Repertory Theatre – Huntington Beach: December 11-13, 18-20 and 22-24, 2026
- Additional Orange County productions: 2026 dates TBA where noted below
For more seasonal performances and celebrations, see our Winter Events in Orange County and Orange County live theater and performing arts guide.
Full-Length Nutcracker Performances in Orange County
American Ballet Theatre at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Hall | 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
December 10-24, 2026 | Multiple showtimes
American Ballet Theatre returns with its acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, featuring choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, elaborate sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky's score performed by Pacific Symphony.
Anaheim Ballet at the Grove of Anaheim
Grove of Anaheim | 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
Friday, November 27, 2026 | 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Anaheim Ballet presents its full-length holiday production with Clara, the Nutcracker, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers and the battle between toy soldiers and mice.
Festival Ballet Theatre at Irvine Barclay Theatre
Irvine Barclay Theatre | 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
December 5-24, 2026 | Multiple performances
Festival Ballet Theatre presents a full-length traditional production directed by Salwa Rizkalla with professional dancers, guest artists and young performers. A Nutcracker Tea Party is offered before select performances.
Laguna Ballet/Laguna Dance Theatre
San Juan Hills High School | 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
2026 performance dates: TBA
Laguna Ballet has announced its 41st annual Nutcracker season and held 2026 auditions in August. The organization has not yet posted the public performance dates, so check its official site for the schedule when released.
Ballet Academy & Movement
Orange County venue
2026 performance dates: TBA
Ballet Academy & Movement has presented family-friendly Nutcracker performances in prior seasons. The 2026 public performance schedule has not yet been confirmed.
Pryntsev Ballet Academy
Mission Viejo area
2026 performance date: TBA
Pryntsev Ballet Academy traditionally presents an annual Nutcracker production featuring academy dancers. The 2026 performance date has not yet been posted publicly.
Nouveau Chamber Ballet at Fullerton College
Fullerton College Campus Theatre | 321 E. Chapman Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832
Saturday-Sunday, December 19-20, 2026
Nouveau Chamber Ballet's 2026 Nutcracker returns to the Fullerton College Campus Theatre. The company has announced auditions and confirmed the December performance weekend.
Coast City Ballet at Huntington Beach High School Historic Theater
1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
December 2026 | Exact dates TBA
Coast City Ballet has confirmed its full-length 2026 Nutcracker will return to the Huntington Beach High School Historic Theater. Exact December performance dates have not yet been posted.
Ballet Repertory Theatre at Golden West College
Golden West College Mainstage Theater | 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
December 11-13, 18-20 and 22-24, 2026
Ballet Repertory Theatre celebrates its 50th consecutive production of The Nutcracker in 2026, featuring company dancers and students from Dance Academy of Southern California.
Ballet Etudes at Huntington Beach High School
Huntington Beach High School Historic Theater | 1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
December 2026 | Exact dates TBA
Ballet Etudes has confirmed its 2026 Nutcracker season and traditionally performs its approximately two-hour full-length production during the first two weekends of December. Exact performance dates are still TBA.
Nutcracker Performances for Kids & Families
The Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Concert Hall
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall | 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Pacific Symphony presents a narrated adaptation of Tchaikovsky's ballet featuring dancers from the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School. The program is designed for young audiences, with themed lobby activities before and after the concerts.
Festival Ballet Theatre Nutcracker for Kids at Newport Beach Public Library
Witte Lecture Hall | 998 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Short performances offered during the morning
This shortened, narrated Festival Ballet Theatre presentation is designed for children ages 6-11. Registration is required and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Ballet Etudes Nutcracker for Kids at Huntington Beach Central Library
Huntington Beach Central Library Theater
December 2026 | Dates TBA
Ballet Etudes says it will again present four library performances in December. These shorter performances are a good introduction to ballet for children; exact 2026 dates have not yet been announced.
Nutcracker-Themed Holiday Events
Casa Nutcracker at Casa Romantica
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens | 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
Friday, December 4, 2026 | Time TBA
Casa Romantica has a Nutcracker performance scheduled for December 4. Check the venue's event calendar for ticket and program details as they are released.
Ballet Etudes Nutcracker at Bella Terra
Bella Terra | 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
2026 date: TBA
This community appearance has featured excerpts and holiday dances rather than the full ballet. A 2026 date has not yet been confirmed.
Nutcracker for Kids + Ballet at Pacific City
Pacific City | 21010 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
2026 date: TBA
Past events have combined Nutcracker storytime, a brief ballet demonstration, a mini ballet class and a holiday craft. No 2026 event has been confirmed yet.
A Nutcracker Sweet Christmas at the Nixon Library
Richard Nixon Presidential Library | 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
2026 date: TBA
This is a broader Christmas event rather than a full Nutcracker ballet. Past programs have included Nutcracker music along with Santa, reindeer, crafts, carolers and other holiday activities. A 2026 event date has not yet been confirmed.
Nearby Nutcracker Performances
Tustin Dance Center at Downey Theatre
Downey Theatre | 8435 Firestone Boulevard, Downey, CA 90241
2026 date: TBA
Tustin Dance Center has previously presented The Nutcracker at Downey Theatre. Because Downey is in Los Angeles County, this listing is included as a nearby option rather than an Orange County performance. The 2026 date is TBA.
About The Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, later adapted by Alexandre Dumas. Set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ballet follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince through a magical Christmas Eve adventure featuring the Mouse King, dancing snowflakes and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is The Nutcracker ballet?
Full-length productions generally run about 1.5 to 2.5 hours including intermission. Children's and abridged performances are usually considerably shorter.
Which Nutcracker performances are best for young children?
Shorter narrated programs such as Pacific Symphony's Nutcracker for Kids and children's library performances can be easier introductions for younger audiences than a full-length ballet.
Are there abbreviated Nutcracker performances in Orange County?
Yes. Orange County typically has narrated concerts, library programs and other abbreviated Nutcracker performances in addition to traditional full-length productions.
Where can I see The Nutcracker in Orange County in 2026?
Confirmed 2026 productions are scheduled in Costa Mesa, Irvine, Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and San Clemente, with additional Orange County schedules still being announced.
Who wrote The Nutcracker?
E.T.A. Hoffmann wrote The Nutcracker and the Mouse King in 1816. Alexandre Dumas later adapted the story, and Tchaikovsky composed the score for the ballet, which premiered in 1892.
How many acts are in The Nutcracker?
The traditional full-length Nutcracker ballet has two acts.
