The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday tradition! Whether it’s your child’s first Nutcracker performance or an annual family outing, we’ve collected the best performances happening in Chicago and the suburbs.
Read on below for our full list to find a show perfect for your whole family in your area.
This article was recently updated Nov. 22, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding Nutcracker performances to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best Nutcracker performances in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
Nutcracker near me in Chicago
The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 6-28, 2024
- Address: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $36-plus
Journey to Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair with Christopher Wheeldon’s holiday masterpiece. Magic is on the horizon for young Marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the iconic Statue of the Republic. As they prepare for their annual holiday celebration, a visit from the charming but mysterious Great Impresario sets off a Christmas Eve dream of whirlwind romance and adventure.
Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 7-8, 2024
- Address: Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $42.50/adults, $25/seniors, students and children under 12
See Chicago’s longest-running Nutcracker seen by thousands of fans featuring original choreography by Ruth Page. Exquisite dancing, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets, The Nutcracker promises holiday joy for children of all ages.
The Art Deco Nutcracker
Dec. 7, 2024
- Address: The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $22-plus
Set in 1920s America, Kremnev’s The Art Deco Nutcracker, featuring Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, is a fresh, yet traditional take on the beloved holiday favorite with costume and set design inspired by the unique sophistication of the Art Deco era.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dec. 10-15, 2024
- Address: CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago
- Cost: $34.50-plus
This holiday performance is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, and features hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together.
Ballet Chicago’s 30th Anniversary: The Nutcracker
Dec. 13-15, 2024
- Address: Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $20-plus
All ages can enjoy seeing Ballet Chicago’s performance of The Nutcracker at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture. This performance takes the audience on an unforgettable journey with young Marie as she travels from her home on Christmas Eve to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of the Sweets.
Ballet Chicago’s 30th Anniversary: The Nutcracker
Dec. 20-22, 2024
- Address: Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: $31-plus
All ages can enjoy seeing Ballet Chicago’s performance of The Nutcracker at Harris Theater for Music and Dance. This performance takes the audience on an unforgettable journey with young Marie as she travels from her home on Christmas Eve to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of the Sweets.
Nutcracker near me in the North/Northwest Suburbs
The Nutcracker
Dec. 5-8, 12-15, 2024
- Address: Prairie Center for the Arts, 210 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg
- Cost: $30-$48
Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s vibrantly costumed and staged production of Tchaikovsky’s magical holiday ballet has enchanted audiences of all ages for nearly a quarter of a century. The Nutcracker brings to life a fantasy world of dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers and battling mice.
Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker
Dec. 6-7, 2024
- Address: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
- Cost: $28-plus
This magical full-scale production at the MAC features more than 50 dancers, including guest artists. You will see this magnificent ballet performed to live music.
Duke It Out Nutcracker
Dec. 7, 2024
- Address: Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
- Cost: $20
This Nutcracker performance, curated by Dance Chicago, pairs the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of the holiday favorite, performed by professional brass and woodwind quintets.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Dec. 8, 2024
- Address: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont
- Cost: $31-plus
This nutcracker performance features jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.
North Shore School of Dance: The Nutcracker
Dec. 14-15, 2024
- Address: Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Road, Lake Forest
- Cost: $25
The story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they fight the Mice King and journey through the snow to the Land of Sweets, told by ballet dancers. A portion of the proceeds are donated to organizations and charity groups.
Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 21-22, 2024
- Address: College of Lake County James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
- Cost: $15-$28
The Ruth Page Civic Ballet recreates Ruth Page’s beloved original full-length staging. Exquisite dancing, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets make it great for all ages.
Nutcracker near me in the South Suburbs
Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Nov. 23-24, 2024
- Address: Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park
- Cost: $42.50/adults, $25/seniors, students and children under 12
See Chicago’s longest-running Nutcracker seen by thousands of fans featuring original choreography by Ruth Page. Exquisite dancing, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets, The Nutcracker promises holiday joy for children of all ages.
Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 1, 2024
- Address: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
- Cost: $35-plus/ages 13-plus, $24/ages 12 and under
The magical production features lavish costumes and exquisite sets, including a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes, and choreography that takes the audience through the land of whirling snowflakes and a visit to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Beyond the Nutcracker by School of Ballet 5:8
Dec. 21-22, 2024
- Address: Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort
- Cost: $10-$35
Beyond the Nutcracker features over 300 students alongside the Ballet 5:8 Second Company. There will be three performances.
Nutcracker near me in the Western Suburbs
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2024
- Address: Hinsdale Central Auditorium, 5500 S. Grant St., Hinsdale
- Cost: $42
Enjoy a special presentation of The Nutcracker, including many celebrated guest artists. The Saturday performances will have Santa available for pictures. Sunday’s performance also includes special admission to the Sugar Plum Party. Also, the Nutcracker Boutique will have themed holiday décor and ornaments.
The Naperville Nutcracker
Dec. 5-8, 2024
- Address: Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville
- Cost: $10-$40
This holiday performance is set to the beloved score by Tchaikovsky. With its beautiful costumes, gorgeous sets and impressive dancing, this production is guaranteed to fill the audience with cheer.
Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker With New Philharmonic
Dec. 14-15, 2025
- Address: McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
- Cost:$46/adult, $36/youth
See Salt Creek Ballet’s performance as it marches back onto the North Shore Center stage with an affordable full-length holiday production. It will be performed by a professional company with exceptional guest soloists.
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