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
Oakland Ballet Company presents Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker – Celebrating Six Decades of Dance this December 20 and 21. The spirit of the holidays comes alive with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery, and imaginative costumes, all in the beautiful and historic Paramount Theatre.
Cheer on Marie and her soldiers as she rescues the Nutcracker Prince from the evil Rat King and then soar with 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. This magical performance is sure to be the highlight of your holiday season!
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at 1 pm
Elevate the experience for $25 and meet the dancers after the show while enjoying sweet treats at the Sweet Dreams Party.
Walnut Creek Concert Band presents Joyful & Triumphant
This holiday concert is intended as a heartwarming celebration of festive favorites. Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Where: Acalanes High School, Lafayette
When: November 7, 2025, from 3 to 5 pm
Tickets are here >
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 7-8, 2025, matinee and evening performances
Find tickets here >
SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
Michael Smuin’s wonderfully adaptable toast to the holidays features new works this year. Run time is just under 2 hours, with one intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Additional dates and locations.
When: November 22-23, 2025, afternoon and evening performances
Find tickets here >
Home Alone with Macaulay Culkin
A special 35th anniversary screening of Home Alone is followed by a special moderated interview with the star, Macaulay Culkin.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: November 24, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Find 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: November 28-30, 2025
Tickets are here >
Nutcracker Piñata
Watch as “The Nutcracker” is seamlessly woven with traditional Mexican melodies and dance. This festive performance blends ballet, folklórico, and mariachi music, creating a dazzling celebration of culture, community, and holiday magic.
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: Showtimes from November 29-30, 2025
Find tickets here >
Town Hall Theatre presents Snowbound: A Holiday Tale
This raucous comedic send-up of classic Christmas characters and a 1992 holiday is best for tweens on up. Pay-what-you-can admission prices.
Where: Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette
When: December 4-20, 2025 (dates and times vary)
Find tickets here >
Douglas Morrisson Theatre Chorus presents The Holiday Concert
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: December 5-7, 2025 (dates and times vary)
Tickets are here >
Na Hula & Motu’aina presents ‘Ohana Kalikimaka!
It’s a Polynesian-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 6, 2025, at 4 pm
Tickets are here > (scroll way down!)
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir presents Hope in Harmony Holiday Concert
It’s a Polynesian-inspired celebration of the holidays. The performance includes drumming, string music, and vocals with performers ages 3-77.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: December 6, 2025, at 7 pm
Tickets are here >
Piedmont Children’s Choir presents Candlelight Concert
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
When: December 6, 2025, at 7 pm
Tickets are here >
Center REPertory presents A Christmas Carol
CenterREP and AXIS Dance Company have reimagined the classic tale. This two-hour musical performance has one intermission.
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: December 10-21, 2025, with evening and matinee shows
Tickets are here >
Orinda Ballet Academy & Company presents A Sweet Dream Nutcracker
Where: Orinda Library Auditorium (one BART stop past Rockridge plus a 10-minute walk)
When: December 12-14, 2025, with matinee and evening shows
Tickets are here >
Midwinter Revels presents The Feast of Fools
Set in the world of Merrie Olde England, this immersive holiday pageant will delight the whole family with singalong carols, jesters, juggling and a sword dance, not to mention a Dragon.
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: Multiple celebrations from December 12-21, 2025
Find information here >
Berkeley Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker Bird
A bold new Nutcracker ballet told in a 70-minute performance with no intermission. Intended for young audiences.
Where: Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland
When: December 13-14, 2025, afternoon and evening performances
Website >
Bay Philharmonic presents Sounds of the Season
Go beyond Christmas songs for Merry-Achi music and Hanukkah selections. 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, 2025, at 3 pm
Tickets are here >
East Bay Dance Company presents The Nutty Nutcracker: 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 14, 2025
Tickets will be here >
Berkeley Rep presents A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story
With performer Jefferson Mays, playing 50 parts, this brings a unique approach to a classic play. 80-minute duration. Suggested for 12+
Where: Roda Theatre, Berkeley
When: December 16-21, 2025
Tickets will be 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 18-21, 2025, with morning and afternoon shows
Tickets are here >
Cal Performances presents San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
Described as “A little naughty but mostly very nice” with sparkling songs and dazzling choreography. This two-hour show includes a 20-minute intermission.
Where: Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley
When: December 20, 2025, two shows
Tickets are here >
Berkeley City Ballet presents Nutcracker
This show is a traditional, full-length production.
Where: Piedmont High School
When: December 20, 2025, with 2 showtimes
Tickets are here >
Oakland Ballet Company presents Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker
This performance features the Oakland Ballet Company, accompanied by the Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. An additional ticketed experience allows you to meet the dancers.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at 1 pm
Buy tickets now >
San Francisco Nutcrackers, Holiday Dance, Music, and Theater Performances
ODC/Dance presents The Velveteen Rabbit
This adorable 65-minute performance has one intermission.Â
Where: Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, San Francisco
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 7, 2025, at 11 am or 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents A Merry-Achi Christmas
Enjoy a multicultural celebration and musical tribute to Mexico’s Christmas traditions.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: November 30, 2025, at 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Ballet presents Nutcracker
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission. Offers one sensory-friendly performance on December 28.
Where: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
When: December 5-28, 2025 (times vary)
Tickets are here >
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 6-21, 2025, multiple showtimes
Find tickets 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 6-7, 2025 (multiple)
Look for tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony 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, San Francisco Boys Choir, guest artists, and beloved costumed characters.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 7, 2025, at 11 am and 3 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents Holiday Spectacular
Described as “A little naughty but mostly very nice” with sparkling songs and dazzling choreography. This two-hour show includes a 20-minute intermission.
Where:Â Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 12-13, 2025, at 2 pm
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Frozen–Film with Live Orchestra
When her kingdom becomes trapped in perpetual winter, the fearless princess Anna sets out with an unlikely band of friends to find her sister, Queen Elsa, and break her icy spell. Set to moving orchestration performed by the San Francisco Symphony. Rated PG and beloved by most preschoolers (the snow monster can be scary). Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 13, 2025, at 2 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf
Prokofiev’s beautiful story of a boy and his animal friend brought to life by guest narrator Joshua Dela Cruz (Blue’s Clues & You!). Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where:Â Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2 pm
Tickets are here >
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Where: Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: December 17, 2025, at 7 pm
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 18-28, 2025
Find tickets here >
A.C.T. presents Dance to the Holidays!
Reality TV comes to life on stage with a soundtrack of holiday favorites. This performance features celebrity pros from Dancing with the Stars (and finalists from others).
Where: Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco
When: December 18-19, 2025
Tickets are here >
San Francisco Symphony presents Home Alone–Film with Live Orchestra
Experience the beloved holiday hit Home Alone on the big screen like never before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. Rated PG for cartoonish violence and naughty behavior. Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 19-20, 2025, at 2 pm or 7:30 pm
Find tickets here >
San Francisco Symphony presents A Charlie Brown Christmas–Film with Live Orchestra
The classic animated holiday film will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live. Rated G and inviting to the youngest audience members. Kids’ tickets are half off.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 21-22, 2025, at 2 pm or 7:30 pm
Find tickets here >
More shows & holiday happenings in San Francisco >>
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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