See dazzling lighted sailboats at Sailing Through the Winter Solstice. Photo courtesy of the Tourism Council of Frederick County
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See the National Zoo in a whole new light at ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian National Zoo
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Main photo by Tim & Selena Middleton/CC BY 2.0
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Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
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The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
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The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
11/10/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Seeing The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experiences for families, and no two productions are alike. The DC area has shows from both local and touring companies, as well as abridged versions for the youngest audience members. If you have very small children, consider The Mini-Nut or The Nutcracker Sweet, both tailored for short attention spans. There's also The Hip Hop Nutcracker for a modern twist on the show.

Some families, like mine, have seen The Nutcracker ballet and are looking for a new holiday tradition. Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage brings holiday cheer in the form of stepping. And A Family Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center is a one-hour choral performance of holiday classics.

Our list below has more than two dozen productions of The Nutcracker 2024 and other holiday shows. Keep in mind that many of them are popular and sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase advance tickets.

Find more festive fun in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

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The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre) is a modern twist on the classic show. Photo by Timothy Norris
The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre) is a modern twist on the classic show. Photo by Timothy Norris

The Nutcracker Ballet Performances in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC
Wednesday - Sunday, November 27 - December 1, 2024 (except November 28)
Full of warmth and holiday cheer, George Balanchine’s beloved classic The Nutcracker returns in a whimsical production from Philadelphia Ballet (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet). Marvel at the magic of swirling snowflakes, dancing candy canes, and enchanted toys. READ MORE

The Nutcracker (at The Puppet Co. Playhouse)

Glen Echo, MD
Thursdays - Sundays, November 29 - December 29, 2024
The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park presents its 36th annual performance of The Nutcracker, featuring the familiar story of Clara and the nutcracker prince with some nursery rhyme spin. READ MORE

The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker (at The Warner Theatre)

Washington, DC
Tuesdays - Sundays, November 30 - December 29, 2024 (except December 10 & 25)
This classic ballet has a historic twist this holiday season in one of DC's most iconic theaters, the Warner Theatre. The Washington Ballet's adaptation is set in 1882 Georgetown, with characters that include George Washington, Harriet Tubman, King George III, and others.  READ MORE

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons, VA
Sunday, December 1, 2024
This acclaimed holiday tradition is live in theaters again this Christmas season. The show includes larger-than-life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, and dazzling costumes. The international cast features stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.  READ MORE

The Rockville Civic Ballet: The Nutcracker (at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre)

Rockville, MD
Fridays - Sundays, December 6-15, 2024
Join Clara on her magical journey as the Rockville Civic Ballet presents the holiday classic The Nutcracker for eight performances. READ MORE

The Mini-Nut (at Cultural Arts Center)

Silver Spring, MD
Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8, 2024
The Mini-Nut, Maryland Youth Ballet's abbreviated version of The Nutcracker, is a one-hour performance with no intermission. It's a wonderful introduction to ballet for families with young children. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Sweet (at Capital One Hall)

McLean, VA
Wednesday - Friday, December 11-13, 2024
Join Clara on her enchanting journey where her beloved toy Nutcracker comes to life to battle the Mouse Queen, dancing snowflakes guide her to the Land of Sweets, and the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy leads her celebration of sweets to dance for Clara. The Dance Academy of Virginia's performance of The Nutcracker Sweet is an abridged version of the timeless classic. READ MORE

Cirque Nutcracker (at Strathmore)

North Bethesda, MD
Friday, December 13, 2024
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents a spectacular twist on the classic Nutcracker featuring Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, jugglers, and high-flying aerialists. READ MORE

Cirque Nutcracker (at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall)

Baltimore, MD
Saturday & Sunday, December 14 & 15, 2024
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents a spectacular twist on the classic Nutcracker featuring Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, jugglers, and high-flying aerialists. READ MORE

Ravel Dance Company presents The Nutcracker (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons, VA
Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Ravel Dance Company presents the beloved holiday tradition The Nutcracker. Featuring lavish costumes and magical dancing, the show is a treat for ballet lovers of all ages. READ MORE

Manassas Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker (at Hylton Performing Arts Center)

Manassas, VA
Wednesday - Monday, December 18-23, 2024
Experience Drosselmeyer’s whimsy and magic as you travel with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through a dreamy fantasy with treats and sweets along the way. The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday show for all ages, featuring an international cast of company dancers accompanied by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. READ MORE

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (at the Hippodrome)

Baltimore, MD
Monday & Tuesday, December 16 & 17, 2024
This acclaimed holiday tradition is live in theaters for its 30th Anniversary tour. The show includes larger-than-life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, and dazzling costumes. The international cast features stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.  READ MORE

The Hip Hop Nutcracker (at National Theatre)

Washington, DC
Friday - Sunday, December 20-22, 2024
This remixed version of the holiday classic combines Tchaikovsky's music with fun, modern hip hop dance. MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, opens the show with a short set. READ MORE

Virginia National Ballet's Nutcracker (at Capital One Hall)

Tysons, VA
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Virginia National Ballet’s professional company presents its magical production of The Nutcracker, featuring beautiful scenery and costumes. This popular production sells out early and is perfect for the whole family.  READ MORE

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with the Fairfax Ballet (at GMU Center for the Arts)

Fairfax, VA
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 & 22, 2024
The Fairfax Symphony joins The Fairfax Ballet to present The Nutcracker. This production is unique in the Washington region as one of few presented with live musical accompaniment. READ MORE
Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is high-energy and fun. Photo by Margot Schulman
Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is high-energy and fun. Photo by Margot Schulman

More Holiday Shows for Families Near DC

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas (at Gaylord National Harbor)

National Harbor, MD
Daily, November 15 - December 28, 2024
This 35-minute, Broadway-style Christmas show featuring dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts centers around Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters. READ MORE

Ford's Theatre A Christmas Carol

Washington, DC
Various dates, November 21 - December 31, 2024
Experience a reinterpretation of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story in historic Ford's Theatre. This version of Ebenezer Scrooge's story is a music-infused production, capturing the magic and joy of this Yuletide classic. READ MORE

Seasons of Light (at Discovery Theater)

Washington, DC
Mondays - Fridays, December 2-20, 2024 (except December 18 & 19)
Discovery Theater's holiday classic show Seasons of Light celebrates the history and customs of Diwali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice. READ MORE

Encore Stage's Jingle Bell Jam (at Gunston Theatre Two)

Arlington, VA
Saturdays & Sundays, December 7-15, 2024 (also on Friday, December 6)
Encore Stage & Studio presents its first-ever winter revue. From heartwarming holiday scenes and songs, Encore's Jingle Bell Jam is the perfect way to deck the halls and bring in the holiday spirit. READ MORE

Little Theatre of Alexandria: A Christmas Carol

Alexandria, VA
Wednesdays - Sundays, December 7-21, 2024
Little Theatre of Alexandria presents the holiday classic A Christmas Carol for the entire family to enjoy, complete with special effects, Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim himself. READ MORE

A Christmas Festival (at Capital One Hall)

McLean, VA
Friday, December 13, 2024
This show features ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with full symphony orchestra, alongside music from Christmas movies including Home Alone, The Polar Express, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Sing-along carols complete the perfect holiday concert. READ MORE

Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show (at Arena Stage)

Washington, DC
Tuesdays - Sundays, December 13-22, 2024
This fun holiday show highlights the African American tradition of stepping with engaging choreography and energetic beats. Furry friends from the Arctic, including Popper the Penguin and Polo the Polar Bear with DJ Nutcracker, take audiences on a magical holiday journey. READ MORE

American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season (at GMU Center for the Arts)

Fairfax, VA
Saturday, December 14, 2024
The American Festival Pops Orchestra presents Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season, a festive program of musical favorites, including an uplifting audience singalong of beloved carols.  READ MORE

A Family Christmas Concert (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC
Sunday, December 15 & Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The Choral Arts Chorus sings holiday classics in this one-hour performance. Families are invited to sing along to their favorites and enjoy a visit from Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty. READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live (at The Lyric)

Baltimore, MD
Friday, December 20, 2024
A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in a stage adaptation that celebrates the timeless television classic so the whole family can join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. READ MORE

Holiday Spectacular (at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall)

Baltimore, MD
Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21, 2024
The esteemed Pops conductor Stuart Chafetz returns to the BSO to conduct the annual Holiday Spectacular. A perfect wintertime outing, this performance will feature special guest artists, audience sing-a-longs, and the ever-popular tap dancing Santas. Make this concert a part of your holiday family traditions! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre- Rockville Civic Center Park
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
George Mason University Center for the Arts
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Discovery Theater – Ripley Center
George Mason University Center for the Arts
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall