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Saturday, November 23
The Manhattan Ballet School’s The Nutcracker Suite
The Manhattan Ballet Company presents children and graduates of the Manhattan Ballet School in a production of The Nutcracker Suite.
Friday, November 29
Save 20% on Mozart For Munchkins Family Concerts
Save 20% on relaxed classical concerts with code ONTHETOWN. All ages (even babies) can crawl, squeal, and dance at while everyone(including grown-ups) enjoys outstanding works performed by exceptional musicians. Includes interaction with musicians throughout the concert and trying instruments after. Choose from concerts most weekend all over NYC with different fun themes. We'll be at Nutcracker & Holiday Favorites for Munchkins on Saturday, Dec 7 on Chelsea, featuring a guest ballerina and some sweet treats.
Saturday, November 30
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The lavish New York City Ballet Nutcracker that started it all in 1954 is a rightly beloved American tradition. The first act is full of action with (actual) children playing at a party, mischievous giant mice battling toy soldiers and a blizzard of ballerinas. The costumes, sets and dancing are stunning in the Land of Sweets second act. * Pricey but priceless; though wait until your kid is able to sit very still and quiet for 2 hours. * Save…
Sunday, December 1
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
This truly spectacular show is great for all ages, even toddlers, with fabulous dancing by the talented Rockettes, dazzling costumes, special effects, camels, sheep and Santa Clause (many, many Santa Clauses in one of our favorite numbers). Includes a 10-minute Nutcracker section danced by giant bears that little kids love. * Can be a bit loud and over-stimulating for some kids but the noise and bustle are more forgiving for those not behaving perfectly. * The theater is gorgeous but…
Wednesday, December 4
The Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Nutcracker
The century-old Salzburg Marionette Theatre presents Peter Tschaikowsky's The Nutcracker with hand carved, painted and costumed puppets. See the performance technique declared a cultural asset worthy of preservation by UNESCO.
Friday, December 6
New York Theatre Ballet Nutcracker Free Performances
See a free performance of New York Theatre Ballet's kid-friendly, one-hour version of the Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday ballet The Nutcracker set in Art Nouveau-style circa 1907 with innovative choreography by Keith Michael. Includes clockwork imps, an owl that flies above the audience, mice dressed in polka dots, and dancers dancing with huge chopsticks. Audiences are invited to come early before each show to take photos with their favorite characters. Seating for these popular performances is first come, first served and…
Saturday, December 7
Nutcracker & Holiday Favorites for Munchkins
Hear holiday favorite selections from the Nutcracker for woodwind quintet with live musicians and a special guest dancer. A great introduction to the classic holiday ballet for all ages - the audience is welcome to roll, crawl, squeal and dance along while experiencing professional performances. Interact with the musicians and dancer throughout and try out instruments after. Holiday bells provided for all.
My First Nutcracker
Join Clara and the Prince as they travel to a magical kingdom filled with delicious treats, dancing flowers and a pesky mouse king in this holiday classic reimagined by New York City Children's Theater for theatergoers ages 3-8. Clara’s narration throughout the performance helps young theatergoers follow the classic holiday story. Pre-show activities before every performance and photo ops with the cast after. Stroller parking available in the lobby of the theater complex.
Interactive Nutcracker
Become part of the beloved Nutcracker ballet in a relaxed, interactive performance/workshop for all ages, hosted by Kid On The Town. Hear the story, see the highlights danced by a professional ballerina and learn some of the moves. All ages are welcome to join a festive Christmas party, fight the mouse king and his army - then celebrate with a dance party in the Land of the Sweets. A great introduction to this holiday tradition and a chance for Nutcracker…
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
See world class Russian artists, hand painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls in an opulent (but remote) theater. Features the “Dove of Peace” role, which is exclusive to the Moscow Ballet, and inspired by a principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet.
The Knickerbocker Suite
A New York City themed 70-minute Nutcracker features famous landmarks woven into the time-honored tale. Based on the jocular story by artist Elliott Arkin, the first act opens with a satirical animated film narrated by Tony award winner Michael Cerveris with imaginative contemporary visual scenarios and characters inspired by the Nutcracker story. In the second act, modern NYC arts sports, fine dining, parks and even pigeons are magically and cleverly intertwined with the classic Tchaikovsky movements of Candy Canes, Coffee,…
Nutcracker & Holiday Favorites for Munchkins: Chelsea
Hear holiday favorites and selections from the Nutcracker with a woodwind quintet and a special guest dancer. A great introduction to the classic holiday ballet for all ages - the audience is welcome to roll, crawl, squeal and dance along while experiencing professional performances. Interact with the musicians and dancer throughout and try out instruments after. Holiday bells for all. Save 20% with code ONTHETOWN.
Sunday, December 8
The Nutcracker Magical Matinee
Ballerinas in costume greet attendees and present a live dance performance before a screening of the cinematic version of the New York City Ballet’s classic Nutcracker with George Balanchine’s iconic choreography.
Nutcracker & Holiday Favorites for Munchkins
Hear holiday favorite selections from the Nutcracker for woodwind quintet with live musicians and a special guest dancer. A great introduction to the classic holiday ballet for all ages - the audience is welcome to roll, crawl, squeal and dance along while experiencing professional performances. Interact with the musicians and dancer throughout and try out instruments after. Holiday bells provided for all.
Tuesday, December 10
Tidings of Joy
Special events and activations happening throughout the day at Hudson Yards include a performances by a gospel choir, Alexandra & Ensembles, harpist Emily Hopkins and Brooklyn Ballet's Nutcracker. At 5 pm, the stunning outdoor installation Shine On lights up.
Friday, December 13
Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker
New York Theatre Ballet performs a kid-friendly, one-hour version of the Tchaikovsky's beloved holiday ballet set in Art Nouveau-style circa 1907 with innovative choreography by Keith Michael. Includes clockwork imps, an owl that flies above the audience, mice dressed in polka dots, and dancers dancing with huge chopsticks. The intimate theatre providing excellent views from every seat (and sells out quickly). Friday 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am, 1 pm & 3:30 pm
Saturday, December 14
The Westchester Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker
Westchester Ballet Company’ sumptuous Nutcracker production, performing since 1950, tells the classic holiday story with stunning costumes, and exciting special effects with a cast of 100 dancers. Friday 10 am Saturday 12:30 pm & 4:30 pm Sunday 2 pm
The Brooklyn Nutcracker
A culturally inclusive production of the beloved holiday ballet fuses ballet, hip-hop and a myriad of world dance genres to create a new tradition for today’s audience. rom the landscape of the old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes transform to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. link to discounted tickets
Dances Patrelle’s The Yorkville Nutcracker
This annual production at Hunter College’s cozy Kaye Playhouse features dance students, ages 5 to 85, alongside professional artists. The lavish Olde New York settings give this production a more local vibe. Expect ice skating in Central Park, Teddy Roosevelt at Gracie Mansion and a sleigh-ride to the New York Botanical Garden.
Sunday, December 15
Peridance Contemporary Dance’s The Nutcracker
Renowned choreographer Igal Perry presents an innovative contemporary Nutcracker experience. The classic story blended with a fusion of hip hop and contemporary dance set to excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s original score as well as new music. With over 60 performers including professional dancers and young students. During a suite tea party between the 12 & 3 pm shows, take photos with dancers, hear the story of the Nutcracker Ballet, enjoy refreshments and create a Nutcracker doll.
Dance on Screen: Bolshoi Ballet’s The Nutcracker
See Bolshoi’s magical Nutcracker production, recorded in front of a live audience. On Christmas Eve, the mysterious Drosselmeyer brings a Nutcracker doll as a gift for his goddaughter Marie. At midnight, the doll comes to life and finds itself in a battle led with the Mouse King, while Marie watches in fear. A timeless holiday classic accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
Nutcracker Dream from Ballet des Ameriques
See a one-hour family friendly adaptation of the seasonal favorite,Inspired by the work of Marius Petipa and Rudolf Nureyev, created by world-renowned Choreographer Carole Alexis, and performed by Westchester’s premier dance company Ballet des Amériques. Come together around the essence of what the story represents, namely, the beautiful balance between Marie’s childhood playfulness and her coming of age in the midst of her own circle of family and friends. Professional dancers from Ballet des Amériques perform the featured roles of…
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Virtuosic break dancing tells an uplifting, family-friendly story set in the 1980s and today. The music is still mostly Tchaikovsky’s classic score, though some songs are sonically updated with live electric violin. This version of the Nutcracker is much louder than its traditional counterparts with a pre-show by hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow. For families with younger children, consider seats further back for less of an auditory overload.
The Nutcracker & Visit to Santa’s Toyland
A special one-hour Nutcracker designed specifically for school-aged students brings to life Clara’s holiday dream of a mighty battle between a Mouse King and a Nutcracker, a meeting with her very own Sugar Plum Fairy, and a journey to the “Land of Sweets”. After the show, meet the cast and visit Santa in his magical toyland, where each child will receive a special gift.
Saturday, December 21
Nut/Cracked
The Bang Group’s beloved, witty response to The Nutcracker takes inspiration from all corners of the dance canon, from tap riffs to en pointe ballet, by way of bubble wrap, disco, and Chinese take-out noodles. Choreographer David Parker finds beauty in the ridiculous, waltzing through many incarnations of Tchaikovsky’s score, including versions by Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, as well as the traditional orchestral suite.