Philadelphia’s favorite holiday tradition returns to the Academy of Music this December, as Philadelphia Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® from December 4 through 31, 2026. Happy City News invites families to start planning early for a production that fills the historic theater with snow, music and pure wonder.
On Christmas Eve, Marie receives a Nutcracker doll from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeier, and her dreams come to life: battling mice, toy soldiers, dancing candy canes and waltzing flowers, all set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score. Marie and her Prince journey to the Land of the Sweets, where the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier lead a magical feast of dances.
The company brings the story to life with more than 50 professional dancers, some 140 students and the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, in Balanchine’s beloved choreography. The run includes a sensory-friendly performance on December 26 at 12 p.m., designed to welcome even more families into the theater.
The production runs about two hours and eight minutes, including one 20-minute intermission, making it a joyful first ballet for children and a cherished ritual for returning audiences. A second release of Art-Reach ACCESS tickets arrives on Friday, October 23, six weeks before opening night, through the Academy of Music box office.
Photo: Philadelphia Ballet / Alexander Iziliaev
