Nutcracker Events Planned Across US, UK

Nutcracker productions are returning to stages and historic venues across the U.S. and U.K. for the 2026 holiday season. Houston Ballet marks the 10th anniversary of Stanton Welch’s production with more than 300 performers, a sensory-friendly show on Dec. 18 and performances through Dec. 28. In Illinois, Decatur Community Dance presents its 30th all-local production Dec. 11–13, while Diablo Ballet opens its 33rd season Nov. 13 with a two-act version set in San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel. Indiana Ballet Conservatory stages its production with live accompaniment by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Children’s Choir on Nov. 28–29. In the U.K., the Piccadilly Sinfonietta and pianist Warren Mailley-Smith perform candlelit concerts featuring the Nutcracker Suite and seasonal music at 16 venues from Nov. 19 through Jan. 2, with some dates also featuring Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2.