And…..the Nuts Have It!!

Get ready for enchanted Nutcracker princes, Sugar Plum fairies, waltzing flowers, fierce rodents, and twirling snowflakes. From professional companies to local dance studios, the Nutcracker ballet season begins this week through December. With productions from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Long Beach to the Inland Empire, and almost everywhere in between, this holiday tradition can be enjoyed without straying far from home.

Even folk who think they don’t like ballet find it hard not to be beguiled by the exquisitely familiar Tchaikovsky score and the nostalgic holiday celebration that is the setting for a magical journey. The professional options include Los Angeles Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Long Beach Ballet, Inland Pacific Ballet, and State Street Ballet. Inventive riffs on the tradition include a tap dance Nutcracker Suite from Michelle Dorrance and her Dorrance Dance, Debbie Allen’s Chocolate Nutcracker, LA Unbound’s multi-dance genre version, and American Contemporary Ballet’s suite adaptation. A number of SoCal training companies showcase pre-professional dancers, many with professional guest artists. This year, New York City Ballet principals Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia are announced guest artists with at least three local companies. And never discount the charm of a local ballet school’s budding ballerinas and danseurs.

With Thanksgiving as late as possible and Christmas mid-week, the Nutcracker season is shorter than usual. A few companies and studios have reduced the number of performances. Some theaters even have doubled up, with one company offering a matinee and another company’s Nutcracker in the evening.

The following round up starts with some of notable professional endeavors and then a regional sorting.  Check the individual websites for discounted tickets for students, children, seniors and/or military. Some tickets appear higher than last year, but often that resulted from fees being included in the announced ticket price, not a surprise at check out.

Apologies for any omissions.  Let us know, so next year’s round up is even more extensive.

 
Rumors suggest a new version may be coming from current artistic director Melissa Barak in the next few years, but for now the Los Angeles Ballet’s Nutcracker created in 2006 by LAB’s founding artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary to remains the L.A. original that has drawn praise and happy audiences. Set in 1912 Los Angeles. LAB continues to bring ballet to the audience with performances at theaters in Pasadena, Westwood, and Hollywood (with a live orchestra). Info and tickets at https://www.LosAngelesBallet.org. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 6, 7:30 pm, Sat, Dec. 7, 6 pm, Sun, Dec. 8, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Westwood; Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at the Dolby Theatre (with the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra), Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 19-20, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 & 7:30 pm, Tues., Thurs.& Sat., Dec. 24, 26 & 28, 2 pm, Fri., Dec. 27, 7:30 pm, $58-$161. https://www.losangelesballet.org/the-nutcracker

 
Under artistic director Susan Jaffe, American Ballet Theatre is enjoying its stature as the official ballet company of this venue, further establishing SoCal as its second home outside of New York. ABT returns with two weeks of celebrated choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s interpretation of the Nutcracker with the music played by the Pacific Symphony. Casting usually is posted at the website before the series begins, but had not been announced as of press time. This year top ticket price includes a tote bag with chocolates, an ornament along with a prime seat. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 12-13 & 19-20, 7 pm, Sat. Dec. 14 & 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 12:30 & 5:30 pm, Wed., Dec. 18, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 11:30 am  & 4:30 pm, $32.77-$282.50. https://www.scfta.org/.

 
With performances at two venues, Inland Pacific Ballet brings its Nutcracker to the Inland Empire. IPB’s professional dancers are joined by 62 students mostly from IPB’s respected ballet academy. Guest artists include Mira Nadon and Peter Walker from New York City Ballet in Claremont while Lori Hernández partnered by ABT’s Peter Walker at both venues. Bridges Auditorium, 450 N. College Way, Claremont; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8 & 21-22, 2 pm, $39-$101.  Also at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, 2 pm. $41-$136. https://ipballet.org/.

 
Now celebrating 42 years, artistic director David Wilcox’ version of the Nutcracker for Long Beach Ballet has delighted audiences with sets designed by Disney scenic designers and acquired an array of special effects that include a live horse, performers who fly and perform magic. The production boasts a full symphony orchestra, with two harps, as Tchaikovsky intended in his score. Professional guest artists fill the leads joined by students from the affiliated ballet school for a total of 250 dancers during the run. Terrace Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Sat., Dec. 14 & 21, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 15 & 22, 2 pm, Fri. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm, $38-$145. https://longbeachnutcracker.com/

 
Celebrating its 30th season, Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet brings its Nutcracker choreographed by Rodney Gustafson and accompanied by the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra. The company’s professional dancers are joined by students from the associated ballet school. Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 pm, $35-$125, $24 children 12 & under..  https://ticketing.granadasb.org/overview/19844

 
Bringing a tap dance version, Dorrance Dance employs the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangement of the familiar Tchaikovsky tunes in The Nutcracker Suite. The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Thurs., Dec. 12, 8 pm, $48-$118. https://thesoraya.org/whats-on/en/dorrance-dance-the-nutcracker-suite/

 
Taking a distinctively Debbie Allen approach to the classic, her 90-minute Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, is filled with new music, magic, contemporary dance, and even aerial artists. Professional actors/dancers are backed by students from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach; Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 5-7, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8, 2 pm, $86.39-$149.99. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hot-chocolate-nutcracker-tickets-1025064735217

 
Another chamber version, The Nutcracker Suite is American Contemporary Ballet‘s one hour, immersive experience. The story is set inside a snow globe and there is a Sugar Plum Fairy. The music is live. The choreography is by ACB artistic director Lincoln Jones. American Contemporary Ballet Studios, Bank of America Plaza, 333 S. Hope St., Suite C-150, downtown; opens Sat., Nov. 30, 2 & 5 pm, then Thurs. Dec. 5, 5 pm, Thurs.-Fri., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 & 5 pm, thru Sun. Dec. 22, then Mon., Dec. 23, 8 pm, Tues., Dec. 24, 1 pm, $75-$135. https://www.acbdances.com/home

For two decades, this company performing under the name Moscow Ballet toured its Great Russian Nutcracker. Perhaps in a too obvious effort to distance itself from to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this company that once touted its Russian background, now calls its production Nutcracker! and performs as Talmi Entertainment at two SoCal venues. The cast of 40 includes veteran professionals along with international ballet competition winners. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 13, 4 & 8 pm, $35-$141. Also at The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri., Dec. 20, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 5 pm. $33-$253.  https://nutcracker.com/tickets/

 
Another touring company with its Nutcracker at two SoCal venues, shed its original name, Russian Ballet Theater in early 2022 in support of Ukraine and is the now named World Ballet Series. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada; Sun., Dec. 22,  2 & 6 pm, $30.80-$97.90.  https://cart.lamiradatheatre.com/3126/3375  Also at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Mon., Dec. 23, 6 pm, Tues., Dec. 24, 2 pm,  $50-$167. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B0060A7E09D34C1

Here’s where to find the Nutcracker throughout Southern California:

Metro Los Angeles

Los Angeles Ballet –UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Westwood; Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 6, 7:30 pm, Sat, Dec. 7, 6 pm, Sun, Dec. 8, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at Also at the Dolby Theatre (with the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra), Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 19-20, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 & 7:30 pm, Tues., Thurs.& Sat., Dec. 24, 26 & 28, 2 pm, Fri., Dec. 27, 7:30 pm, $58-$161. https://www.losangelesballet.org/the-nutcracker

 
American Contemporary Ballet with live music –American Contemporary Ballet Studios, Bank of America Plaza, 333 S. Hope St., Suite C-150, downtown; opens Sat., Nov. 30, 2 & 5 pm, then Thurs. Dec. 5, 5 pm, Thurs.-Fri., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 & 5 pm, thru Sun. Dec. 22, then Mon., Dec. 23, 8 pm, Tues., Dec. 24, 1 pm, $75-$135. https://www.acbdances.com/homeTalmi Entertainment – The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri., Dec. 20, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 5 pm. $40-$280.50. Also at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 13, 4 & 8 pm, $35-$141. https://nutcracker.com/tickets/

Westside Ballet – Fifty years ago, Yvonne Mounsey and Rosemary Valaire, the late founders of this admired training company, created a Victorian Christmas card version in this Nutcracker. For some performances, professional guests including New York City Ballet’s Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia share the stage with student dancers. The Santa Monica College Symphony provides live music.  The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Sat.-Sun., Nov. 30-Dec. 1, & Dec. 7-8, 1 & 5 pm, Fri., Dec. 6, 7 pm, $66.50.  https://westsideballet.tix.com.

 
Marat Daukayev Ballet Theatre and School – A former star of Russia’s Kirov (now Mariinsky) Ballet, Marat Daukayev choreographed, directs and stars as the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer with students from his ballet academy. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Dr., East L.A.; Sat., Dec. 7, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 11:30 & 4:30 pm, $55-$100. https://theater.maratdaukayev.org/nutcracker-performances/

Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley

Los Angeles Ballet – Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 6, 7:30 pm, Sat, Dec. 7, 6 pm, Sun, Dec. 8, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Westwood; Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2 pm, $44-$137. Also at the Dolby Theatre (with the Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra), Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 19-20, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 & 7:30 pm, Tues., Thurs.& Sat., Dec. 24, 26 & 28, 2 pm, Fri., Dec. 27, 7:30 pm, $58-$161. https://www.losangelesballet.org/the-nutcracker

 
Talmi Entertainment – Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena; Fri., Dec. 13, 4 & 8 pm, $35-$141. Also at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena: Fri., Dec. 13, 4 & 8 pm, $35-$154. Also at The Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; Fri., Dec. 20, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 5 pm. $40-$280.50. https://nutcracker.com/tickets/

Pasadena Dance Theatre – Last year, this well-regarded training company presented a new version of Nutcracker choreographed by Jessamyn Vedro for the PDT students. This year, new co-artistic directors Jean Michelle Sayeg and Eric Shah, will oversee their first Nutcracker for this company with guest artists are Matisse Love and Aaron Smythe. San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 Mission Dr., San Gabriel; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 20-21 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 pm, 1 pm, $25-$105. https://ci.ovationtix.com/36849/production/1217509

 
LA Unbound Boasts an array of dance styles in its Nutcracker Unbound. Glendale Community College, Mainstay Theatre,1601 E. Mountain St., Glendale; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 5 pm. $27.05-$38.05. https://29564.danceticketing.com/r/events/  

World Ballet Series at La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada; Sun., Dec. 22,  2 & 6 pm, $30.80-$97.90.  https://cart.lamiradatheatre.com/3126/3375  Also at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Mon., Dec. 23, 6 pm, Tues., Dec. 24, 2 pm,  $50-$129. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B0060A7E09D34C1

Degas Dance Studio – Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sun., Dec. 8, 4 pm $27-$62. https://evnsong.thundertix.com/performances/3105999/section/60754

Red Chair Children’s Production Company – Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sat., Dec. 14, 1 & 6 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2  5 pm, $11-$70. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B00614118833D87

Shakti School of Bharata Natyam and choreographer Fiji Prakash postponed their South Asian-infused in Naatucracker-The Dancing Nut until December 1, 2025. So check back next year. https://shaktibharatanatyam.com/events/

South Bay & Long Beach

Long Beach Ballet with orchestra – Terrace Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Sat., Dec. 14 & 21, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 15 & 22, 2 pm, Fri. Dec. 20, 7:30 pm, $38-$145. https://longbeachnutcracker.com/

 
Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker – Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach; Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 5-7, 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8, 2 pm, $86.39-$149.99. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hot-chocolate-nutcracker-tickets-1025064735217

Ballet California (formerly South Bay Ballet) – The respected ballet academy brings its charming version to Marsee Auditorium. El Camino College Center for the Performing Arts, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21 & 22, 2 pm, $36. https://www.balletcalifornia.org/the-nutcracker

Palos Verdes Ballet – Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr., Rolling Hills Estates; Sat., Dec. 21, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 1 & 5 pm, $45. https://app.arts-people.com/index.php

Classical Ballet Theatre – Nutcracker Highlights at Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr., Rolling Hills Estates; Sun., Dec. 8, 1 & 5 pm, $34, $28 children. https://palosverdesperformingarts.com/show-details/rental-holiday-ballet-presented-by-classical-ballet-2024

San Pedro City Ballet – The studio where American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland trained showcases its current students. Alexander Fleming Middle School, 25425 Walnut Street Lomita; Sat., Dec. 7, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 2 pm, $49.87. Also at Torrance Civic Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance; Fri., Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7:30 pm, $45. https://www.sanpedrocityballet.org/

 
Launch Dance Center – Centinela Valley Center for the Arts at Lawndale High School, 14901 S. Inglewood Blvd., Lawndale; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, 2 pm, $23-$28 in advance. https://tickets.shovation.com/ordertickets.asp?p=3198&src=eventperformances

Southern California Dance Theater – Lakewood High School, 4400 Briarcrest Ave., Lakewood; Sat., Dec. 21, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 pm, $30.  https://socaliforniadancetheatre.simpletix.com/

Dance! To Your Hearts Delight, Inc. Downey Civic Theater, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey; Sat., Dec. 7, 2 & 6:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 2 pm, $30-$53. https://www.downeytheatre.org/

San Fernando Valley

Pacific Festival Ballet Company – The students of this resident ballet company of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza are joined by New York City Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia. Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 & 7 pm, $41-$68. https://bapacthousandoaks.com/show-details/pacificfestivalnutcracker

 
Dorrance Dance – The Nutcracker Suite at The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Thurs., Dec. 12, 8 pm, $48-$118. https://thesoraya.org/whats-on/en/dorrance-dance-the-nutcracker-suite/

California Dance Ensemble – Smothers Theater, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; Fri., Dec. 20, 3:30 & 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 6 pm, ticket info not available yet $25-$40.https://www.californiadanceensemble.org/tickets

Santa Clarita Ballet – College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita; Sat., Dec. 14, 1 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 1 pm, $40-$48. https://www.santaclaritaballet.net/ .

Moorpark Civic Ballet – Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Thurs., Dec. 12, 6:30 pm, $75. https://www.moorparkballet.com/ 

Antelope Valley Ballet – Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster; Sat., Dec. 14, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2 pm, $20-$38. https://www.lpac.org/event/the-nutcracker-2024/

Ballet Elite – Performing Arts Education Center, 2855 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas; Sat., Dec. 21, 3 & 7 pm, $27-$30. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35610/production/1219213

Orange County

American Ballet Theatre with the Pacific Symphony –Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 12-13 & 19-20, 7 pm, Sat. Dec. 14 & 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 12:30 & 5:30 pm, Wed., Dec. 18, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 11:30 am  & 4:30 pm, $32.77-$282.50. https://www.scfta.org/.

 
Festival Ballet Theatre – Professional guest artists join more than 100 students from the highly respected Southland Ballet Academy in this Nutcracker from artistic director Salwa Rizkalla. Announced guest stars include New York City Ballet’s Tiler Peck and Roman Meija (12/14-15), and Joffrey Ballet’s Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez (12/21-22). Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine; Sat., Dec. 7, 2 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 1 pm, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, 1 & 6 pm, Fri., Dec. 20, 6 pm, Sat.-Mon., Dec. 21-23, 1 & 6 pm, Tues. Dec. 24, 11 am, $40-$70. https://www.festivalballet.org/  http://www.theBarclay.org.

 
Anaheim Ballet with Symphony Irvine – City National Grove, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim; Fri., Nov. 29, 7 pm, Sat., Nov. 30, 2 &7 pm, $50-$95. https://www.anaheimballet.org/events , https://www.ticketmaster.com/anaheim-ballet-tickets/artist/1621302

Ballet Repertory Theatre – Golden West College Mainstage Theater, 15751 Gothard St., Huntington Beach; Sat., Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 8 & 15, 12:30, Fri., Dec. 13 & 20, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 & 5 pm, Mon., Dec. 23, 2 & 7 pm, Tues., Dec. 24, 12:30 pm, $30, 25 children/seniors. https://www.gwctheater.com/nutcracker-dec-7-24-2024/

Coast City Ballet – Huntington Beach Historic Theater, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach; Sat, Dec. 21, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 pm, $30. http://www.coastcityballet.com.

Nouveau Chamber Ballet – Fullerton College Campus Theatre, 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 2 pm, $25-$35. https://nouveauchamberballet.com/

Ballet Etudes – Cal State University Long Beach, University Theater, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach; Sat., Dec. 7, 6 pm, $32.50-$37-50. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/47215102/the-nutcracker-long-beach-csulb-university-theater-studio-fusion

Laguna Ballet – San Juan Hills High School, 29211 Stallion Ridge, San Juan Capistrano; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 1 & 6 pm, $37.21. https://www.lagunadancetheatre.com/

Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties

State Street Ballet with Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra— Granada Theater, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara; Sat., Dec. 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 pm, $35-$125, $24 children 12 & under. https://ticketing.granadasb.org/overview/19844

 
Santa Barbara Festival Ballet – Arlington Theater, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara; Sat., Dec. 14, 2:30 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 15, 2:30 pm, $50.29. https://santabarbarafestivalballet.com/buy-nutcracker-tickets

Ventura County Ballet with the Opera San Luis Obispo Grand Orchestra–The Canyon at Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard; Sat., Dec. 7, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 2 pm, $28.52-$65.87. http://venturacountyballet.com/.

Moorpark Civic Ballet – Bank of America, Performing Arts Center, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; Thurs., Dec. 12, 6:30 pm, $91-$116. https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B00612CB67633E2

San Diego County

City Ballet of San Diego with City Ballet Orchestra — California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; Fri., Dec. 20, 7:30 pm, Sat. & Mon., Dec. 21 & 23, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 2 pm, $42-$142.80. https://cityballet.org/

 
San Diego Ballet – The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon; Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 5 pm, $39-$153. https://sandiegoballet.org/the-nutcracker/

Golden State Ballet – Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego; Fri., Dec. 13 & 20, 7:30, Sat., Dec. 14 & 21, 2:30 & 7:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 22, 1 & 5 pm, $47-$147. https://sandiegotheatres.org/calendar

West Coast Dance & San Elijo Dance & Music Academy– California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; Sun., Dec. 14-15, 2 pm, $48-$84. https://artcenter.org/event/west-coast-ballet-san-elijo-dance-and-music-academy-presents-the-nutcracker/

Performing Arts Workshop – California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8, 2 pm, $36, $24 children. https://artcenter.org/event/pawnutcracker/

San Diego Academy of Ballet & Ballet Theatre with orchestra– California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; Sat., Dec. 21, 1 & 6 pm, $90-$102. https://artcenter.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SUe000000ers1MAA

San Bernardino/Riverside Counties

Inland Pacific Ballet – Bridges Auditorium, 450 N. College Way, Claremont; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 7-8 & 21-22, 2 pm, $39-$101. Also at Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 14-15, 2 pm. $41-$136. https://ipballet.org/performances/

 
Riverside Ballet Arts – David Allan’s Nutcracker– New York City Ballet dancers Emma Von Enck and Daniel Applebaum guest in this version. MV Performing Arts Center, 23300 Cottonwood Ave, Moreno Valley; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 21-22, 1 & 7 pm, $38-$58. https://bravaarts.thundertix.com/events/237209

Inland Empire Contemporary Dance – Yucaipa Performing Arts Center, 12062 California St., Yucaipa; Fri., Dec. 6, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 7, 2 & 6 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 4 pm, $24-$340. https://yucaipaperformingarts.org/event/the-nutcracker/

Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company – San Manuel Performing Arts Theater, Aquinas High School, 2772 Sterling Ave., San Bernardino; Fri., Dec. 6, 7 pm, Sat., Dec. 7, 2:30 & 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 8, 2:30 pm, $25. Purchase Tickets – Arrowhead Ballet

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Featured photo Inland Pacific Ballet. Photo by EY Yanagi

This amazing Nutcracker reporting compiled and written by Ann Haskins.