12+ Places To See The Nutcracker Ballet in Maryland and DC
One of the most quintessential Christmas and holiday activities you can experience with your family is to see The Nutcracker Ballet. As far as ballets go, The Nutcracker tends to be very kid friendly because normally a lot of kids are involved in the production. The costumes are fun, the story is easy to follow, and honestly, The Nutcracker Ballet is magical!
I have done the research for you and assembled 12+ places to see The Nutcracker Ballet in Maryland and Washington DC.
Related: The Most Magical Christmas Events In Maryland to Visit With Your Kids!
The Washington Ballet Nutcracker Ballet
The Washington Ballet at the Warner Theatre in DC is absolutely magical. Honestly, if you want the most magical experience, try and see the Washington Ballet Nutcracker.
The entire ballet has an American Revolution and Frontier theme with The Nutcracker himself actually being George Washington himself.
The costumes and set are exquisite and the Warner Theatre really dazzles.
Dates for the 2023 Washington Ballet Nutcracker: December 2nd-30th
Ballet Theatre of Maryland The Nutcracker
We have also seen The Nutcracker at the Ballet Theatre of Maryland and it’s phenomenal.
This is a particularly great performance if you have younger kids or are uncertain how they will do with a more fancy Nutcracker. If you pick this Nutcracker, definitely opt of the Sugar Plum Party! 1 hour before the ballet you can meet the characters from the ballet, have some snacks, and your kids can make some Christmas crafts.
2023 Dates: December 9-17 at Maryland Hall
In 2023, The Ballet Theatre of Maryland is also performing The Nutcracker at two locations in Carroll County! Here are the details:
Where: Coppermine Pantherplex– Hampstead
Date: November 25th
Tickets
Where: Carroll Arts Center– Westminster
Date: December 2nd
*Children’s Edition: This abbreviated version of the classic ballet is perfect for families with young children*
Tickets
We have not visited the Nutcrackers below, but here are the details so you can choose the one that best fits your schedule, budget, and interests!
Related: The Best Christmas Lights Displays in Maryland!
The Maryland Theatre: The Nutcracker
Who: Western Maryland City Ballet Company and The City Ballet School
Date: December 9-10
Where: The Maryland Theatre- Hagerstown
Tickets Click here
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
Talmi Entertainment cast includes top artists from around the globe including places like Ukraine, Tokyo, Italy, Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Germany, and more!
They are performing at two venues in 2023.
Where: The Hippodrome in Baltimore
Date: December 18-19
Tickets Click here (for both locations)
Where: The Strathmore
Date: December 2nd
Related: Check out a Santa Train or Polar Express in the Maryland and DC Region!
Cirque Nutcracker with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The audience’s favorite holiday program, Cirque Nutcracker returns with Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, jugglers, and high-flying aerialists. They join the BSO for a spectacular twist on Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic The Nutcracker. Make this performance a part of your holiday tradition today!
Where: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Dates: December 16-17th
Tickets Click Here
Greater Annapolis Ballet Nutcracker Performances
Another great option for an Annapolis Nutcracker Ballet!
Dates for Nutcracker Performances: December 15-17
Dates for Nutcracker Sweets and Tea Party December 3rd (at Historic London Town)
Website | Directions (for the main Nutcracker performance)
Related: ICE! At the Gaylord National: The Ultimate Guide
Maryland Regional Ballet: The Nutcracker
Frederick holiday tradition — full length Nutcracker performance with guest artists from the New York City ballet and Frederick School of Classical Ballet.
Dates: December 8-10
Location: Weinberg Center for the Arts
Click For Tickets
Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Strathmore
This is a unique Nutcracker performance that might be perfect for your family!
Here are some details from the website: “The Hip Hop Nutcracker features a combination of Tchaikovsky’s classic score and all-star contemporary and hip-hop dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and Kurtis Blow, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.” It is set in modern-day New York City and is a very popular version of The Nutcracker!
Dates: December 19-22
Location: The Strathmore
Click For Tickets
Related: Visit Enchant DC for a super fun and unique Christmas experience!
Ballet Chesapeake- The Nutcracker (2 versions)
Ballet Chesapeake will offer a full-length performance of “The Nutcracker” at Towson University’s Stephens Hall Theatre Dec. 9 and 10 and a shortened version for small children at the Bel Air Armory Dec. 15. Here are the details provided by the ballet company:
Ballet Chesapeake is the premier classical and contemporary dance company in the northern Maryland region, performing two full-length ballets, as well as numerous outreach performances at various locations throughout the year.
Lyric Opera- The Nutcracker by The State Ballet of Ukraine
Experience unforgettable moments with your loved ones this holiday season by attending The Nutcracker. The timeless tradition is a captivating classic that will warm your heart. You’ll be transported to a winter wonderland filled with vibrant characters and toy soldiers with the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s enchanting production.
Date: December 14th
Location: Lyric Opera House
Click For Tickets
Related: Best Tips For Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
The Nutcracker with The Columbia Chamber Ballet
The BCV Dance Center invites you to The Columbia Chamber Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 4pm at Stonehouse (6110 Foreland Garth)
Date: December 10th
Location: Stonehouse
Click For Ticket Information
The 35th Annual Nutcracker at The Puppet Co
Join the Puppet Co. for our 35th annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.
Originated by the founding team of Allan Stevens, Christopher Piper, and MayField Piper and the music of the Arlington Symphony Orchestra.
Dates: Starting November 24th
Location: The Puppet Co at Glen Echo Park
Click For Tickets
Related: Longwood Gardens: Kid Friendly Guide
Columbia Orchestra – Winter Concert
What better way to spend a chilly day? Our winter concert features crowd favorites from The Nutcracker, holiday sing-alongs and tunes from Frozen, and much more! Join us for this magical event filled with musical traditions from across cultures!
I am including this concert because, even though it isn’t a classic Nutcracker performance, there are a lot of Nutcracker dancers and ballet numbers performed, along with so many other fun holiday classics.
If you have younger kids, this might be the perfect way to introduce them to The Nutcracker Ballet!
Date: December 16th
Location: Rouse Theatre
Click For Tickets
FAQ
Our top pick for a Maryland or DC area Nutcracker Ballet is the Washington Ballet Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre. However, there are excellent Nutcracker Ballet options in Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick, Hagerstown, Carroll County, Montgomery County, Harford County, and Howard County.
Many people rave about the Nutcracker Ballet in NYC and Chicago. However, the Washington DC Nutcracker Ballet is fabulous too!
The Washington Ballet Nutcracker is performed at the Warner Theatre.
The Nutcracker performance is typically 2 hours long, including intermission.
For the full length professional version of the Nutcracker, it is recommended that children are at least 5 years old.
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