What goes together better than marshmallows and hot cocoa? How about the holidays and “The Nutcracker.” Just as this classical ballet takes to stages across the Valley, Disney’s new live-action “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is in movie theaters. It all adds up to Nutcracker holiday magic that’s trending more than STEM toys this Christmas season. From onstage performances to Tchaikovsky’s original score to tea parties with Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, here are more than a dozen ways to enjoy a beautiful holiday tradition.
Nutcracker Sweet Tea (Nov. 17). Explore the “Land of the Sweets” with Clara, Sugar Plum Fairies and other characters from Ballet Etudes’ “The Nutcracker.” Enjoy a light luncheon buffet, storytime and dance performances and decorate cookies at The Wright House in Mesa. Plus, photo and autograph sessions with dancers. SOLD OUT!
The Nutcracker Suite (Nov. 17-18). Phoenix Youth Ballet Theatre and Arizona Dance Artistry present “The Nutcracker Suite” at the brand new Madison Center for the Arts. Directed and produced by Samantha Gobeille, production boasts a cast of more than 100 young dancers, professional sets and costumes.
Nutcracker Tea (Nov. 18). Take afternoon tea with costumed dancers from Southwest Ballet Youth Company’s “The Nutcracker” at the historic Hackett House in Tempe. Dancers interact with guests while sweets and savories are served. Costumes are encouraged! Guests can preorder scones to take home. SOLD OUT!
Ballet Etudes’ The Nutcracker (Nov. 23-Dec. 16). Ballet Etudes performs its 32nd annual production of “The Nutcracker” ballet and Clara’s dream journey through a magical land. See it Nov. 23-Dec. 2 at Chandler Center for the Arts, and Dec. 7-16 at Mesa Arts Center.
Sugar Plum Avenue (Dec. 8). Fifth Avenue in downtown Scottsdale is transformed into Sugar Plum Avenue — a fairytale village including sugar plum fairies, princesses, a Snow King and Snow Queen, aerial performances and candy land bounce houses. Plus, Nutcracker ballet performances each hour and a tea party in the street.
The Nutcracker (Dec. 8-9). The Rena Backer School of Ballet stages its 10th annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Horizon High School in Scottsdale.
Nutcracker Ballet Tea Party (Dec. 9). Share an afternoon with ballerinas from “The Nutcracker” at the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree. Dancers will perform vignettes and take photos with guests. Each child will get a gift bag.
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker (Dec. 12). Whimsical and imaginative storytelling combined with Russian classical dance make this a unique performance at Comerica Theatre.
Southwest Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 13-16). For its fourth year, Southwest Ballet Theatre performs Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet under the artistic direction of Melissa Zervas Hahne at Estrella Mountain Community College’s Performing Arts Center.
Ballet Arizona’s The Nutcracker (Dec.13-24). In Ballet Arizona’s annual production, under Ib Andersen’s artistic direction, Clara battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. With 150 performers, 100,000 Swarovski crystals and Tchaikovsky’s cherished score performed live by the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall.
Southwest Youth Ballet (Dec. 14-16). Under the artistic direction of ballerina Yen-Li Chen, the Southwest Youth Ballet performs this holiday classic accompanied by live music from the Chandler Symphony Orchestra at Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.
Phoenix Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 14-23). Phoenix Ballet and internationally recognized dance stars Madison Penney, Tia Wenkman, Bel Pickering, Tegan Chou, Misha Broderick, Basia Rhoden and others present Slawomir Wozniak’s “The Nutcracker” at the Orpheum Theatre.
Brooksher Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 15). Brooksher Ballet, a Mesa dance school under the direction of Joshua and Natasha Brooksher, stages this holiday classic at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center.
Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet (Dec. 15-16). Dance Studio 111 performs “The Nutcracker” with a youth cast ages 3-21. Meet the dancers and Santa Claus and take photographs on Clara’s throne after select performances at Desert Vista Fine Arts Theatre in Phoenix.
Arizona Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Dec. 21-22). With classical music, bright costumes and eye-catching sets, Arizona Youth Ballet transports the audience to the Land of the Sweets at Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center.
