The Nutcracker Ballet for Boston Area Kids and Families

The Nutcracker Ballet - it just may be the most classic of holiday traditions. And while the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker is the most traditional of them all, choices for Boston-area families are numerous: traditional performances to modern interpretations, full-length, lavish productions to less traditional versions. One thing they have in common is the Nutcracker charm that will keep adults wide-eyed, too.

Below is a list of Boston-area performances of the Tchaikovsky holiday classic, coming to multiple stages in the coming weeks.

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker - Boston
Opens November 23
Cost: $45 & up

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a traditional holiday event for the whole family! Join Clara on her magical journey through an enchanted winter wonderland to a palace of sugary confections.

Ballet Arts Worcester’s The Nutcracker - Worcester
November 23-November 25
Cost:         $24-$36        

Ballet Arts Worcester’s production of the holiday favorite is the collaborative artistic effort of the Youth Ballet Company of Ballet Arts Worcester joining with the live music of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.

MetroWest Ballet’s The Nutcracker - Sudbury
November 24
Cost: $12-$18

MetroWest Ballet students perform the classic tale. $5 backstage passes allow visitors to meet Clara and the Dew Drop Fairy, and take home a special treat from all the dancers at the Palace of the Sweets.

Jose Mateo’s Nutcracker - Cambridge and Boston
Cost: $38-$50

José Mateo Ballet Theatre presents the classic holiday tale at the Sanctuary Theatre in Cambridge beginning December 1 and the Strand Theater in Boston beginning December 22.

Dance Prism’s Nutcracker
Cost: Adults $24; Children $18        

Dance Prism’s annual production of Nutcracker includes a cast of professional dancers and ballet students based throughout the northeast region and eastern seaboard. Performances are in Sudbury 12/2; Littleton 12/8; Worcester 12/9; and Andover 12/15-12/16

Northeast Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker - Andover
December 6 - December 9
Cost: $24-$26

The company of young dancers performs a classic version of the Nutcracker.

Urban Nutcracker - Boston
Beginning December 8
Cost: $25 & up        

The classic Tchaikovsky with an inner-city edge, the Urban Nutcracker features the professional BalletRox company and more than 100 local children.

Commonwealth Ballet’s Nutcracker
Cost: $25 & up

Accompanied by Tchaikovsky's memorable score and some special guest stars, the dancers of Commonwealth Ballet and over 80 local performers offer a magical show. Performances are in Acton 11/23-11/25 and Weston 12-7/12/9.

Boston Dance Company’s Nutcracker
Cost: $18-$25

Boston Dance Company performs at the Strand Theater, Dorchester 12/14; Worcester State University 12/15; and in Andover 12/21.

International Ballet Academy of Norwell’s The Nutcracker
Cost: $25

Students from the International Ballet Academy of Norwell perform the classic tale in Norwell 12/18-12/20 and in Quincy 12/22.