Holiday Nutcracker performances in Oakland, Berkeley, and other East Bay venues

Ticket Alert: Bay Area Nutcrackers & Other Holiday Performances

Putting on a pair of not-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. 

Nutcracker performance
See the leaping snowflake dancers in The Nutcracker | Photo: John Hefti for The Oakland Ballet Company

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. Ticket prices start at $34.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
When: December 16 at 11 am or 3 pm, December 17 at 1 pm

For matinee shows, look for an option to sweeten the experience for $20 and meet the characters after the show while enjoying sweet treats.

Buy tickets now >

leaping ballerina
The Oakland Ballet performs the Nutcracker at Paramount Theatre in Oakland | Photo: John Hefti for The Oakland Ballet Company

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 3 & 4, matinee and evening performances
Find tickets here >

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is an internationally touring show set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music in a 1980s Brooklyn dance club.
Where: Oakland’s Paramount Theatre
When: Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7 pm
Website >

SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
Run time is just under 2 hours, with one intermission.
Where: Hofmann Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
When: November 18 – 19, 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: November 26 at 11 am
Find tickets here >

Town Hall Theatre presents A Christmas Story
Two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission, this play has laughs for all ages. Pay-what-you-can admission prices.
Where: Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette
When: November 30 – December 17 (dates and times vary)
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 1 – 3, afternoon and evening performances
Website >

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 1 – 2
Tickets are here >

Chanticleers Theatre presents The Man Who Saved Christmas
A merry musical production based on a true story produced in collaboration with East Bay Children’s Theatre. Appropriate for all ages.
Where: Chanticleers Theatre, Castro Valley
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays December 1 – 17, afternoon and evening performances
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 in San Ramon
When: December 3 at 1 pm and 4 pm
Tickets are 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 7 – 21 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 8 – 10 with matinee and evening shows
Tickets are here >

Mr. Mopps presents How does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Authors, Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett, in the flesh, tackling one of the hard-hitting questions of our time: How does Santa Go Down the Chimney? Get ready for live drawing, story-time selections from Mac and Jon’s entire picture book catalog, and some good holiday fun!
Where: BFUU Fellowship Hall in Berkeley
When: December 9 from 3-4 pm
Tickets are here >

Piedmont Children’s Choir presents Candlelight Concert
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
When: December 9 at 7:30 pm
Tickets are here >

Berkeley City Ballet presents The Nutcracker
This 50-minute show has no intermission.
Where: Berkeley City Ballet in Berkeley
When: December 9, 10, 16, and 17
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 15 – 17 with morning and afternoon shows
Tickets are here >

SRVDA presents Impressions of the Nutcracker Sweet 2023
In just under an hour, this popular story ballet performance will delight and entertain people of all ages.
Where: Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center in San Ramon
When: December 16-17 with matinee and evening shows
Tickets are here >

ODC presents The Velveteen Rabbit
This 65-minute performance has one intermission.
Where: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
When: Showtimes from December 16-17
Find tickets here >

The Marsh Berkeley presents Fool La La: Holiday Gift!
Performed by entertainer Unique Derique, this 75-minute show includes a mix of goofy fun and circus performances. It has one 10-minute intermission. For ages 3+. Families can join the 20-minute circus class after the performance.
Where: The Marsh Arts Center in Berkeley
When: December 27 – 30 at 1 pm
Tickets are here >

San Francisco Nutcrackers, Holiday Dance, Music, and Theater Performances

San Francisco Symphony presents The Nightmare Before Christmas with live orchestration
The film will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 at 7:30 pm
Tickets are here >

Ballet Petit presents The Nutcracker
Where: Chabot College Center for the Performing Arts, Hayward
When: Dec. 2, 2 pm and 7 pm
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: Showtimes from December 2-10 at 11 am or 2 pm
Find tickets 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 2-23
Find tickets here >

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra presents Deck the Hall
Where:
 Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 3 at 11 am or 3 pm
Tickets are here >

San Francisco Symphony presents Cirque Nutcracker
A family-friendly mix of cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theater set to the San Francisco Symphony’s music.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Dec. 5-6 at 7:30 pm
Find tickets here >

A.C.T. presents A Christmas Carol
This will be the final run of this classic show after many years. A new rendition is in the works for 2024.
Where: Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco
When: Dec. 6-24 with evening and matinee shows
Tickets are here >

San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf
Narrated by Tom Kenny (AKA SpongeBob SquarePants).
Where:
 Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Sunday, December 10 at 2 pm
Tickets are here >

San Francisco Ballet presents Nutcracker
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission.
Where: War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
When: December 13 – 30 (times vary)
Tickets are here >

SMUIN Contemporary Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet
This show has a 2-hour run time with one intermission.
Where:
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
When: Showtimes from December 14 – 24
Find tickets 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: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue
When: Showtimes from Dec. 15 – 17 with evening and matinee shows, this will sell out
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 16-17 (multiple)
Find tickets here >

Talmi Entertainment presents NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Enjoy an international cast of Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the jaw-dropping acrobatics and puppets.
Where: Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco
When: Tuesday, December 19 at 3 pm and 7 pm
Save 20% with promo code JUMP >

San Francisco Symphony presents A Charlie Brown Christmas — Live!
Enjoy a new twist on a holiday classic with live actors on stage against an animated backdrop while the score is played by the orchestra live.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: December 20-23 (times vary)
Tickets are here >

San Francisco Symphony presents Home Alone with live orchestration
The film will be on screen as the score is played by the orchestra live.
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
When: Dec. 22-23 (times vary)
Tickets are here >

Oakland Ballet Company Nutcracker
Performing at The Paramount Theatre with the Oakland Symphony | Photo by John Hefti for OBC

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. 

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