Nutcracker Performances in Orange County 2023

Capture the magic of the seeing with tickets to a Nutcracker Performance in Orange County! For many families, heading to the Nutcracker Ballet is a holiday tradition each year. The perfect time to dress up and head to the theater. Kids as young as 3 years old can enjoy these performances, and it's a great way to expose them to classical ballet, music and theater at a young age.

2023 Nutcracker Performances in Orange County, CA

Here is a complete list of Nutcracker Performances happening this year in the OC. There are many different varieties of shows listed, from Nutcracker for Kids performances, to Nutcracker Teas, to the full length Nutcracker performances we all love.

Please read descriptions carefully to see which one is perfect for your family.

Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Concert Hall

December 2, 2023 | 10:00 & 11:30am
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa
Nutcracker for Kids Website
Great for Kids!

This condensed version was created just for kids ages 5-11! Visions of sugarplums and beautiful ballerinas will dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet. Finally, this fantastical ballet will end with a visit from Santa Claus himself!

American Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker (ABT Nutcracker)

December 8 - 17, 2023 | Times vary
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
American Ballet Theater's Website

As the lights dim and Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score fills the air. Clara enters a dreamlike journey amid magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, snowflakes and a glittering Christmas tree! With an impressive cast of more than 100 performers, ABT’s The Nutcracker features a dazzling set and costumes. The Orange County Registerpraised it as a “… colorful, cinematic creation filled with spectacle, humor and eye-popping costumes.”

Festival Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

December 9 - 24, 2023 | Times vary
Irvine Barclay Theater, Irvine
Festival Ballet Theatre Website

Create holiday memories for your family by sharing the magic of The Nutcracker. Festival Ballet Theatre’s family-friendly, breathtaking production features colorful scenery and dazzling costumes. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score as the Sugar Plum Fairy, our heroine, Clara, and a cast of hundreds take you on a magical journey to mystical lands. This full-length traditional production is a cherished holiday classic, perfect for all ages

Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker - Abridged Matinee for Young Audiences

December 8, 2023 | 9:30 & 11:30am
Irvine Barclay Theater, Irvine
Festival Ballet Theatre Website
Great for Kids!

Festival Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker, was specially designed for elementary and junior high school students. They will have the opportunity to see the beauty of classical ballet and music . This one-hour, narrated rendition of The Nutcracker returns to the Barclay. It highlights FBT’s exceptional company dancers and young talent from across SoCal.

Celebrate the season with Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, as they take you on a magical journey to the mystical Kingdom of Sweets. There will be magical effects, dazzling sets and opulent costumes.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party

November 4, 2023 | 12pm & 3:30pm
Huntington Beach Elks Lodge 1959, Huntington Beach
Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Website
Great for Kids!

Ballet Etudes presents their annual Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party at the beautiful Senior Center in Central Park. Enjoy cuteness overload as you and your children dine on tea and goodies at a Nutcracker themed table. Nutcracker characters in costume will be on hand for photos and story time. And the Sugar Plum Fairy will perform her special dance. In addition, there will be crafts, games, face painting, prizes and more. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Nutcracker experience! Spaces are limited and tickets WILL sell out!

Nutcracker + Ballet at The Reading Reef

December 20, 2023 | 4:00 - 5:00pm
Pacific City, Huntington Beach (level 1 near Sephora)
Winter Ballet at The Reading Reef Website
Great for Kids!

Dress in your finest ballet or nutcracker costume for this special holiday Storytime - best dressed will win a prize! Enjoy story time with local author, Kim Ann and a winter dance performance from real ballerinas. Children are invited to partake in a mini ballet class with Tutu School HB and make a holiday-themed craft!

Narrated Nutcracker for Kids & Families

December 2 & 3, 2023 | Times vary
Huntington Beach Central Library, Huntington Beach
Narrated Nutcracker for Kids & Families Website
Great for Kids!

You're invited to Festival Ballet Theatre’s lavish one-hour rendition of The Nutcracker. It's specially designed to introduce young children to the beauty of classical ballet and music. Celebrate the season with heroine Clara, her Nutcracker, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy as they take you on a magical journey to the mystical Kingdom of Sweets.

Anaheim Ballet's Nutcracker

November 24-25, 2023 | 2:00 & 7:00pm
Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim
Anaheim Ballet's Nutcracker Website

Anaheim Ballet celebrates its 34th season of Nutcracker! Clara and her Nutcracker Doll who changes winter into Candyland. Anaheim Ballet's full-length Nutcracker with the Symphony Irvine is the production you and your family must see. Experience the spectacle of a towering Christmas tree, waltzing flowers, battling toy soldiers and menacing mice. The enduring theme remains unchanged - good overcomes evil - but AB's staging of the family classic is constantly updated, which keeps the production fresh. Choreography is by Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg, Anaheim Ballet’s acclaimed Artistic Director.

Coast City Ballet's The Nutcracker

December 15, 16 & 17, 2023 | 2:00 & 7:00pm
Huntington Beach Historic Theater, Huntington Beach
Coast City Ballet Website

Join us this holiday season as the lights fade, the music swells, snowflakes fall, and flowers waltz. A young girl dreams about a magical sweet-filled world in the charming and magical The Nutcracker. Coast Cityis pleased to delight both young and old again this holiday season with its 17^th annual production of this timeless ballet. Dozens of ballerinas and dance students of all ages are sure to entertain you at beautiful La Mirada Theatre in La Mirada.

Tustin Dance Center's The Nutcracker

December 2 & 3, 2023 | 2:00 & 6:30pm
Downey Theatre, Downey (Not Orange County, but the dance studio is)
Tustin Dance Center Website

Join us this holiday season as the lights fade, the music swells, snowflakes fall, flowers waltz, and a young girl dreams about a magical sweet-filled world in the charming and magical The Nutcracker. Dance! To Your Hearts Delight is pleased to delight both young and old again this holiday season with its 18^th annual production of this timeless ballet. Dozens of ballerinas and dance students of all ages are sure to entertain you at the beautiful Downey Theatre

Casa Nutcracker

December 7 & 8, 2023 | 7:00pm
Casa Romantica Cultural Center, San Clemente
Casa Nutcracker Website

Performed by the Orange County Ballet Theater. This abridged version of the holiday classic features choreography tailored to Casa Romantica’s intimate Main Salon theater, with a runtime of one hour and twenty minutes.

Ballet Etudes Nutcracker

December 2, 3 & 10, 2023 | 2:00 & 7:00pm
Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach
Ballet Etudes Nutcracker Website

Join Clara, her prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and an entire cast as The Nutcracker comes to life. This beautiful ballet Nutcracker is presented by Ballet Etudes. This full-length production features the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, professional costumes, snow, and other special effects, plus a cast of over 100 young Orange County dancers. There will be an educational presentation 30 minutes before curtain at the 2pm performances. Meet the characters for a photo opp after the show.

Ballet Etudes Nutcracker for Kids

December 14 & 15, 2023 | 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Huntington Beach Central Library, Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Central Nutcracker Website

November 25, 2023 | 7pm
Bella Terra, Huntington Beach
Bella Terra Nutcracker Website

Join Clara, her prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and an entire cast of characters as The Nutcracker comes to life in a beautiful ballet. Presented by Ballet Etudes, a non-profit youth ballet company, this 1-hour performance benefits the Friends of the Children’s Library. The ballet features the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, professional costumes, professional guest artists and a cast of young Orange County dancers.

In conclusion, I hope you find one of these Nutcracker Performances in Orange County prefect for your family to attend the holiday season. From Nutcracker performances for Kids to the original versions...they all offer something magical. Above all, I hope you have a Merry Christmas this year.

Finally,