The Nutcracker is one of the most watched performances, and one that many people make a tradition of seeing year after year. Here’s a list of all the places you can go to see a live performance of The Nutcracker in Orange County.
The Nutcracker is a ballet with music by Tchaikovsky, based on the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann and adapted by Alexandre Dumas. The story follows a young girl, Clara, whose nutcracker comes to life on Christmas Eve. The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara to a magical land of dolls with music, dancing, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Mouse King – part of an enchanting journey that Clara will never forget. Clara awakens the next morning under the Christmas Tree still holding her nutcracker in her arms.
*Note that there are no live performances scheduled for 2020
Anaheim Center for the Performing Arts
1952 west La Palma, Anaheim, 92801
Performance by Sunrise Ballet
Tickets are $20
Cancelled for 2020
Now in their 30th year, the two hour performance by Sunrise Ballet includes a 15 minute intermission.
Golden West College
15744 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach
Presented by Ballet Repertory Theatre
December 7 – December 24
General Admission $20
$16 for Golden West College Students and ASB, Veterans, Seniors, & Children under 12
Not scheduled for 2020
The Golden West College performance of The Nutcracker is put on by the Ballet Repertory Theatre. In their 43rd year, 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.
Huntington Beach High School
1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach
Performance By Ballet Etudes
Tickets are $20-$30
Huntington Beach High School hosts several performances of The Nutcracker. This popular performance by Ballet Etudes is a local favorite.
Huntington Beach Historic Theater
1905 Main Street Huntington Beach @ Huntington Beach High School
Performance by Coast City Ballet
Tickets start at $22
Huntington Beach Public Library
7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach
Performance By Ballet Etudes
Tickets are $5
The Huntington Beach Public Library presents a classic shortened version of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, especially for children. The performance is held in the Library Theater.
Irvine Barclay Theater
4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Performance by Festival Ballet Theatre
Tickets are $45 – $90
Family Night is December 14 at 7:00 p.m. and you will receive a $10 discount per ticket when you purchase four or more tickets. Join the Nutcracker Tea Party before or after select performances for an additional fee and enjoy tea and lemonade, finger sandwiches and desserts with Clara, featuring special appearances from the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King.
Festival Ballet Theatre will offer a special abridged performance especially for children on December 5 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the Children’s performance are $21 per person.
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA
Performance by Festival Ballet Theatre
Admission is free
The Nutcracker for Children performance by Festival Ballet Theatre is a free event at the Newport Beach Public Library. It is first come first serve and seating is limited. Tickets will be distributed at 1:00 p.m. on the day of the event. The shortened version is perfect for young children.
Plummer Auditorium – Fullerton
201 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
Performance by Tustin Dance Center
Tickets are $13-$22
Performance by Golden State Dance Foundation and V & T Classical Ballet Academy
Tickets are $35/adults and $30/Student/Child/Senior
The Plummer Auditorium presents multiple charming renditions of The Nutcracker. The productions are performed by different dance companies, and each offer their own unique character, bringing The Nutcracker to life for viewers young and old.
Segerstrom Center For The Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Performance by American Ballet Theatre
Tickets Start At $29
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.
Also at Segerstrom, Festival Ballet Theatre presents two 45-minute children’s performances of the Nutcracker on December 7, 2019 with free activities in the lobby prior to the performances. Tickets are $50 each. Performances are at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. with activities at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
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Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, an expert at exploring all that Orange County has to offer, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.
