VAM PRODUCTIONS / New Jersey Ballet at Mayo Performing Arts Center
The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. Whether you make a day of it in New York City or find a local theater, there are so many options to see this classic on stage. Here are some venues in and around New Jersey to watch Clara, The Prince, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairies do their thing.
Mill Ballet
New Hope, PA
November 11 and 12
Welcome the holidays with an afternoon of sweets, coffee, tea and hot chocolate with the characters from The Nutcracker during Nutcracker “Suites” and Tea Party. After a performance by Roxey Ballet’s professional artists, you can ask for autographs and take photos, listen to storytime by the Sugar Plum Fairy, and participate in a Nutcracker-themed dance class.
EDUARDO PATINO / American Repertory Ballet, McCarter Theatre Center
McCarter Theatre Center
Princeton
November 24-26
Presented by the American Repertory Ballet, this has become a time-honored tradition in Princeton.
Lincoln Center
New York, NY
Nov. 24 – Dec. 31
George Balanchine’s Nutcracker is considered the ultimate Nutcracker experience. There are 150 characters dancing across the stage at this annual production.
ROXEY BALLET
Roxey Ballet Company
New Hope, PA
Nov. 25 and 26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 9
The Dec. 1 show is a children’s matinee, and the Dec. 9 performance is sensory-friendly with a more relaxed atmosphere for the audience.
Raritan Valley Community College Arts
Branchburg
Dec. 1
There is an international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. There will be acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets and hand-crafted sets and costumes.
Bergen Performing Arts Center
Englewood
Dec. 2-3
New Jersey Ballet’s tradition blends holiday magic with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed by the New Jersey Symphony.
Stockton University Performing Arts Center
Galloway
Dec. 8 and 9
The Atlantic City Ballet puts on its ballet shoes for this performance.
Count Basie Center For the Arts
Red Bank
Dec. 8-10
See the classic in a historical and beautiful theater, which is almost 100 years old.
Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts
Toms River
Dec. 9
This stage play is presented by The Ballet for Young Audiences and is more suitable for your younger theatergoers.
The Dolan Theater at Saint Elizabeth University
Morristown
Dec. 9
Have you ever wondered what happened the year after Clara found her Nutcracker Prince? Or what other lands lie in our dreams beyond the Land of Suites? You’ll find out in this performance by the students of Dance Innovations Performance Foundation.
Union County Performing Arts Center
Rahway
Dec. 10
New Jersey Ballet presents a sensory-friendly version of the classic tale.
Sitnik Theatre
Hackettstown
December 15-17
This version of the holiday classic stars young dancers from the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, Warren County’s only non-profit ballet company, as well as professional dancers from around the world.
LEIGHTON CHEN FOR STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick
Dec. 15-17
This version of the classic features a live orchestra and dancers from the American Repertory Ballet.
Kelsey Theatre
West Windsor
Dec. 15-17
The New Jersey Youth Ballet brings this abridged, fully narrated version of the classic ballet to the stage so that it’s enjoyable even for the youngest ones in your fam.

Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown
Dec. 15-27
New Jersey Ballet dancers are on stage with music performed by the New Jersey Symphony.

Caesars Atlantic City
Atlantic City
Dec. 16
This will be the Atlantic City Ballet’s version of the performance.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Newark
Dec. 17
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs the classic.

Memorial Auditorium
Montclair
Dec. 19-20
The School of Classical Ballet in Verona will put on this version.

Newark Symphony Hall
Newark
Dec. 22
Candlelight Concert will put on a Holiday Special featuring The Nutcracker & More, where you will listen to the performance amidst candlelight.

MC Kurtis Blow treats your family to an original holiday mashup where the classic story gets remixed with hip-hop dance.
CHERYL MANN / The Hip Hop Nutcracker at State Theatre NJ

State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick
Dec. 29
The Hip Hop Nutcracker mixes Tchaikovsky’s original score with hip-hop music.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Holiday and Winter Shows You Won’t Want to Miss

See A Christmas Carol at These NJ Theaters
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in NJ
Christmas Tree Lightings in NJ