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2 hours
with one intermission
December 5 – 31, 2026
James Kudelka
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreographed by Canada’s James Kudelka, The Nutcracker has enchanted Toronto audiences since 1995 and remains a beloved holiday tradition. The adventure begins at a Christmas Eve party in a 19th-century barn and follows siblings Marie and Misha as they discover delights beyond their wildest dreams – from surprising animals to sumptuous treats and the magical realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and featuring magnificent sets and costumes, The Nutcracker embodies all the warmth and wonder of the season.
The Nutcracker (1995) was made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Susan Scace and Arthur Scace, C.M. and Lawrence & Ann Heisey.
The Nutcracker revitalization (2025) is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Laura Diner & Richard Rooney, The Arrell Family Foundation and The Henry White Kinnear Foundation.
The National Ballet’s first performance of The Nutcracker was in 1952, an excerpt of Act II. Celia Franca’s full-length production followed in 1964 and was performed every year until 1994. One of its most beloved moments came when the Sugar Plum Fairy made her entrance by descending to the stage in a hot air balloon.
Nadia Potts and Raymond Smith with Students of Canada's National Ballet School in The Nutcracker (c. 1960). Photo by Barry Gray.
Casting will be announced on our eNewsletter, Ballet News, and on social media and will be posted here approximately two weeks prior to the opening. Please note, casting is always subject to change.
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The National Ballet invites you to attend the Ballet Talk 45 minutes before every performance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
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Top Photo: Christopher Gerty, Isabella Kinch and Ben Rudisin in The Nutcracker. Photo by Bruce Zinger.