Going to see The Nutcracker is a quintessential holiday activity that’s been a tradition for decades. This two-part ballet by Tchaikovsky follows a young girl named Clara, whose eccentric uncle gifts her a nutcracker for Christmas. When Clara drifts to sleep, the show shifts into a dreamland full of swirling snow, sword fights, and sweets.
It’s been adapted countless times and put on by renowned theater companies and amateur dance studios alike. Some productions even put creative spins on the classic story, like the Washington Ballet’s version set in Georgetown with George Washington as the nutcracker. What doesn’t change, regardless of the production style or story tweaks, is this show’s ability to fill its audience with a sense of holiday magic and childlike wonder.
Its status as a holiday staple means that there are plenty of opportunities to catch a show around NoVA and DC this season. It also means that there will be lots of people flocking to the theater to see it, so don’t wait to get tickets. Here are 10 productions of The Nutcracker happening this year.
Ballet West
November 22–26, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Kennedy Cener: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC, starting at $49
Virginia National Ballet
November 24, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas, starting at $40
December 22, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Capital One Hall: 770 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, tickets starting at $59
Academy of Russian Ballet
November 25, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas, $35–$35
The Washington Ballet
November 25, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; November 26, 1 p.m.
THEARC: 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, Washington, DC
December 2–30, times vary
Warner Theatre: 513 13th St. NW, Washington, DC, starting at $48
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
December 3, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Capital One Hall: 770 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, starting at $34
Dance Academy of Virginia
December 4, 6:30 p.m.
Capital One Hall: 770 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, starting at $25
Ravel Dance Company
December 9, 1 p.m.
Capital One Hall: 770 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, starting at $49
Manassas Ballet Theatre
December 14–23, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas, tickets starting at $35
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with The Fairfax Ballet Company
December 16–17, 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts at George Mason University: 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, starting at $54
Metropolitan School of Arts
December 9–10, 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: 4915 East Campus Dr., Alexandria, starting at $30.40
Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Center
December 21–22, 6:30 p.m.; December 23, 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., starting at $25
Loudoun Valley High School: 340 N. Maple Ave., Purcellville
Feature image of The Nutcracker, performed by the Fairfax Ballet, courtesy the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
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