BalletMet The Nutcracker opens December 10 at the Ohio Theatre and runs through December 27. Ticketed holiday ballet with My First Nutcracker mats for younger first-timers.
BalletMet's The Nutcracker opens Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre and continues through December 27 with multiple curtains. Tickets sell through BalletMet and CAPA. Prices vary by seat and date, and My First Nutcracker morning shows suit younger first-timers at a shorter runtime for a lower stress entry price.
Full-length performances run about 1 hour 50 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. Park in Statehouse or Riffe garages in Downtown and arrive 20 to 30 minutes early for ushers and coat check lines.
This is the city's core holiday ballet tradition for families and dance fans. VIP backstage packages exist for select nights through the BalletMet box office. If you want a shorter sibling outing, choose a My First Nutcracker curtain. See also CAPA's Christmas Carol earlier in the season at the same theatre.
Confirm hours on the official page the morning of your visit, pack a layer for evening air, and screenshot any timed-entry tickets before you reach the gate.
