Illustration of a holiday show scene (The Nutcracker)
Christmas Shows

The Nutcracker

This annual ballet tells the story of a young girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve and journeys to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. The production brings Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life with scenic sets, dazzling costumes, and more than 80 dancers on stage. Audiences will see toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, falling snow, battling mice, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

What to Expect

Annual holiday production featuring more than 80 dancers on stage.

Event Details

Duration

1 hour, 45 minutes, plus intermission.

Ages

5 and up

Organizer

Inland Pacific Ballet

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Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 ⚪ (4/5)

Best For

Families with children ages 5 and up

Vibe

Festive and theatrical

Energy Level

Low

Photo Friendly

Moderate

Weather Sensitivity

None

Location

Claremont, CA

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets: Price 1: $101.00; Price 2: $72.50–$93.00; Price 3: $66.00–$80.00; Price 4: $61.00–$70.00. Per-ticket fees may apply. – Get tickets
  • Hours: Dec 5, 12:00pm and 4:00pm; Dec 6, 12:00pm and 4:00pm; Dec 19, 12:00pm and 4:00pm; Dec 20, 12:00pm and 4:00pm.
  • Accessibility: Individuals needing special assistance or ADA accommodations should notify the box office staff.

Tips & Advice

  • Buy Lewis Family Playhouse seats only through its box office or official website, since third-party tickets may not be valid and can cost far more.
  • Plan for about two hours in your seat, because the ballet runs 1 hour and 45 minutes plus an intermission.
  • Keep children with you the whole time and out of the aisles, because the ballet company asks every guest to supervise kids and keep aisles clear.
  • If you need ADA help or have allergies at Bridges Auditorium, let the box office staff know so they can assist.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell, because guests with symptoms of illness are asked not to attend.

Special Events & Promotions

  • K–12 field trip school-day performances, shortened for young audiences (booked separately)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age is the show best for?

It's recommended for ages 5 and up.

How long is the performance?

It runs 1 hour and 45 minutes, plus an intermission.

What will we see on stage?

Clara's Christmas Eve journey to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, set to Tchaikovsky's score with more than 80 dancers. Look for toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, battling mice, snowflakes, waltzing flowers, gingerbread characters and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Where should I buy tickets?

Buy Lewis Family Playhouse tickets only through the Playhouse box office or its official website. Tickets from third-party sellers may not be valid and can cost well above face value. Bridges Auditorium tickets are coming soon.

Can schools book a performance?

Yes. Inland Pacific Ballet is booking K–12 field trips for the 2026–2027 season. These are shortened school-day performances adapted for young audiences.

Tags

The Nutcrackerballetholiday traditionfamily friendlylive entertainmentseasonal activitiesChristmas showfestive atmosphereclassical music

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Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team