Putting on a pair of fancy sneakers and attending a ballet or holiday theater performance is an annual tradition for many families. If you’ve got kids who are ready for a large-scale theater experience for the holidays, here are some local shows to choose from.
Thanks to The Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring this guide to Nutcracker performances and family-friendly holiday theater performances.Â
East Bay Nutcrackers, holiday dance, and theater performances
The Oakland Ballet Company presents Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker. The spirit of the holidays is brought to life with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery, and imaginative costumes. Cheer on Marie and her soldiers as she rescues the Nutcracker Prince from the evil Rat King and then soar with our dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets where luscious treats await. The Oakland Symphony along with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir bring Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score to life. Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker will be the highlight of your holiday season! Performed in the Historic Paramount Theatre.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 pm
Elevate the experience for $25 and meet the characters after the show while enjoying sweet treats at the Sweet Dreams Party.
Diablo Ballet presents The Nutcracker Suite
This performance is 70 minutes in length, with no intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: November 15-16, 2014 matinee and evening performances
Find tickets here >
SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
Run time is just under 2 hours, with one intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek
When: November 23 – 24, 2024 afternoon and evening performances
Find tickets here >
The Puppet Company presents Nutcracker Sweet
Performed by Fairyland’s puppeteers for young audiences. 45 minutes.
Where: Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison St, Berkeley
When: December 1, 2024 at 11 am
Find FREE tickets here >
The Ballet School presents Once Upon A Christmas
A fully narrated ballet performance about a clumsy elf on a Christmas Eve journey. Approximately 80 minutes long with no intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: December 5-7, 2024
Tickets are here >
Town Hall Theatre presents Every Christmas Story Ever Told
This raucous comedic send-up of classic Christmas characters is best for tweens on up. Pay-what-you-can admission prices.
Where: Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette
When: December 5-15, 2024 (dates and times vary)
Find tickets here >
Pacific Boychoir presents Harmonies of the Season
Annual Christmas performance of a medley of traditional English folk carols.
Where: Park Blvd Presbyterian Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakland
When: December 6-7, 2024, two performances
Website >
Nutcracker Piñata
Watch as “The Nutcracker” is seamlessly woven with traditional Mexican melodies and dance.
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: Showtimes from December 6-7, 2024
Find tickets here >
Berkeley Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker
A one-act, shortened version of the holiday classic and narrated by Mother Nature. This performance is perfect for families and young children.
Where: Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr. Oakland
When: December 7-8, 2024, afternoon and evening performances
Website >
Na Hula & Motu’aina presents Chee Hoo! Celebrate the Holidays!
It’s a Holiday Ho’ike Show! Enjoy this Hawaiian-inspired celebration of the holidays. The performance includes drumming, string music, and vocals with performers ages 3-77.
Where: Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, San Ramon
When: December 7, 2024 at 4 pm
Tickets are here >
East Bay Dance Company presents A Nutty Nutcracker Sweet: A Christmas Spectacular
A modern, magical twist on the classic with a fusion of musical styles.
Where: Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, San Ramon
When: December 8, 2024
Tickets will be here >
Center REPertory presents A Christmas Carol
This two-hour musical performance has one intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: December 12-22, 2024 with evening and matinee shows
Tickets are here >
Orinda Ballet Academy & Company presents A Sweet Dream Nutcracker
Where: Orinda Library Theater (one BART stop from Rockridge plus a 10-minute walk)
When: December 13-15, 2024 with matinee and evening shows
Tickets are here >
Piedmont Children’s Choir presents Candlelight Concert
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
When: December 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Tickets are here >
Cal Performances presents Dorrance Dance, The Nutcracker Suite
Tap dance and jazz rhythms come together in acclaimed company Dorrance Dance’s production of the holiday classic. This jazzy reimagining of The Nutcracker Suite boogies, slides, struts, and dives through the magical story of a young girl and her fantastical Christmas adventure. Runtime: 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Where: Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley
When: December 14-15, 2024
Tickets are here >
Bay Philharmonic presents Holiday Spectacular
Hear holiday favorite songs performed by dozens of singers and incredible dancers in this performance-packed showcase.
Where: Chabot College Center for the Performing Arts, Hayward
When: December 14-15, 2024
Tickets are here >
Pacific Boychoir presents Community Holiday Sing-Along
Sing festive hymns and traditional favorites with Oakland’s GRAMMY-winning youth choir. Children 12 and under are free.
Where: Park Blvd Presbyterian Church, Oakland
When: December 18, 2024
Website >
Midwinter Revels
Enjoy a mixed age Celtic celebration of the solstice.
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: 7 celebrations from December 20-23, 2024
Find tickets here >
Berkeley City Ballet presents Nutcracker
This show is a traditional, full-length production.
Where: Piedmont High School
When: December 21, 2024 with 2 showtimes
Tickets are here >
Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble presents The Biggest Gift
Did you send your letter to Santa? For younger audiences, this 45-minute performance has no intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: December 20-22, 2024 with morning and afternoon shows
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Nutcrackers, Holiday Dance, Music, and Theater Performances
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Enjoy an international cast performing at the peak of classical European Ballet.
Where:Â Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
When: November 12, 2024
Find tickets here >
A.C.T. presents A Whynot Christmas Carol
A fresh twist on the Dickens classic, this theater troupe is working to get to opening night with comedic results.
Where: Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco
When: Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 2024 with evening and matinee shows
Tickets are here >
ODC presents The Velveteen Rabbit
This 65-minute performance has one intermission.
Where: Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, San Francisco
When: Nov. 30-Dec. 8, 2024Â at 11 am or 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Holiday Cirque
A family-friendly mix of cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theater set to the San Francisco Symphony’s music in a festive holiday show.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 2, 2024
Find tickets here >
More shows & holiday happenings in San Francisco >>
Mark Foehringer presents Nutcracker Sweets
Great for small children and is only 50 minutes long.
Where: Cowell Theater at Pier 2, Fort Mason, San Francisco
When: Weekends from December 7-22, 2024
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Ballet presents Nutcracker
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission. Offers one sensory-friendly performance and two geared toward younger audiences.
Where: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
When: December 6-29 (times vary)
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band presents Dance-Along Nutcracker
Part comedy musical, part dance-it-yourself ballet, and part symphonic concert, this version of the show is anything but ordinary.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
When: December 7-8, 2024 (multiple)
Look for tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra presents Deck the Hall
Treat your family to a concert of holiday favorites and sing-alongs led by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with members of the San Francisco Symphony, guest artists, and beloved costumed characters.
Where:Â Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When:Â Sunday, December 8 at 11 am or 3 pm
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Symphony presents The Muppet Christmas Carol in concert
The classic holiday film, The Muppet Christmas Carol, will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live. Rated G.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 12 & 14, 2024
Tickets are here >
Broadway SF presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze
A mix of contemporary circus arts with a holiday flair. Expect jugglers, aerialists, and acrobats along with an original holiday score and magical characters. 90 minutes including one intermission. Recommended for ages 5+
Where: Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: December 13-15, 2024
Find tickets here >
SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission. The vibe is a little ballet and a little bit Broadway.
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
When: Showtimes from December 13-24, 2024
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf
Beautiful story of a boy and his animal friend brought to life by a guest narrator.
Where:Â Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Elf with live orchestration
The family-favorite film, Elf, will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live. Rated PG.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 19-21, 2024
Tickets are here >
African-American Shakespeare Company presents Cinderella
An uplifting re-telling of the classic fairytale, featuring all of the pageantry, hilarity, and charm of the original, but with a decidedly soulful twist.
Where:Â Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue
When: Showtimes from Dec. 20-22, 2024, this will sell out
Find tickets here >
Related: Browse a big, huge list of East Bay Christmas Activities & Events here >>
Thanks to The Oakland Ballet Company for sponsoring this guide to holiday dance performances.Â
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