The Nutcracker

American Repertory Ballet invites audiences to celebrate the season with The Nutcracker, a timeless story filled with magic, beauty, and holiday spirit. For more than 60 years, this timeless production has delighted generations, captivating newcomers while remaining a beloved tradition for longtime fans. 

With exhilarating choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, and gorgeous sets and costumes, American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker showcases the company’s professional artists alongside over 100 talented students from Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet. Together they tell the beloved story of a young girl named Clara, who receives a mysterious holiday gift and embarks on a wondrous adventure. Guided by her Nutcracker Prince, Clara faces an epic battle against mischievous mice, glides through a snow-filled forest, and arrives in the radiant Land of Sweets. There, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier welcome her with a series of dazzling dances before she awakens, uncertain whether her magical journey was real or just a dream.

Performances will take place from Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 20, 2026.

Tickets for performances at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ and State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ are on sale now, and tickets for performances at Two River Theater in Red Bank, Nj will be available soon.

Enhance your Nutcracker experience with our Cookies and Cocoa pre-show event! For a $30 add-on per person to the Saturday, November 28 1:00 PM performance, enjoy fresh cookies and hot cocoa while spending time with the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and the mischievous Rat King. Delight in festive activities, magical moments, and family fun before the curtain rises on this holiday classic.

*With Orchestra and Choir