{"id":55758,"date":"2025-11-16T14:37:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T14:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/55758\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T14:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T14:37:08","slug":"nutcracker-ballets-lead-san-diegos-seasonal-dance-offerings-san-diego-union-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/55758\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Nutcracker\u2019 ballets lead San Diego\u2019s seasonal dance offerings \u2013 San Diego Union-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dancers of all ages and abilities, from little\u00a0children to professional\u00a0ballet artists, participate in \u201cThe Nutcracker,\u201d making it a popular holiday event for every generation.<\/p>\n

The Russian-born ballet, based on an 1816 German fairy tale, is about Clara, a young girl who receives a Nutcracker doll from her Uncle Drosselmeyer for Christmas. On a dream adventure, the Nutcracker comes to life and joins Clara on a journey to the Land of Sweets, where she encounters the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier, a battle led by the Mice King, Mother Ginger and an array of colorful characters.<\/p>\n

More than a dozen \u201cNutcracker\u201d productions are being presented locally this fall. But for those seekng a different option, this month also offers BalletCenter Studios\u2019 delightfully different take on the tale, and \u201cThe Snow Queen,\u201d an enchanting show supporting Ukrainian dancers, is coming up at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Here are 19 shows, broken up by month and listed in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n

NOVEMBER
\n\"BalletCenterBalletCenter Studios will present \u201cClara & the Nutcracker Soldier\u201d Nov. 28 and 29 at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre in San Diego. (Trystan Loucado)
\nBalletCenter Studios<\/p>\n

In \u201cClara & the Nutcracker Soldier,\u201d an imaginative take on the traditional holiday classic, Clara is an orphan who journeys from boarding house battles to the Land of Snow Queens, searching for the meaning of family.\u00a0\u00a0The warm-hearted story was conceived by director Michelle Noblejas-Bartolomei and former principal dancer Trystan Merrick.\u00a07 p.m. Nov. 28; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. $32-$63.\u00a0balletcenterstudios.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Classical Arts Entertainment<\/p>\n

Renowned ballet artists from a dozen countries perform the holiday classic with stunning sets and sparkling costumes. 2 p.m. Nov. 30. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $54-$114. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n

4 S Dance Academy<\/p>\n

The North County-based company\u2019s ninth annual \u201cNutcracker\u201d brings together Tchaikovsky\u2019s timeless score, guest artists, and professionally choreographed dancers. Together, they bring Clara\u2019s journey to the Land of Sweets to life, with epic battles and dances with snowflakes.\u00a07 p.m. Nov. 21; 1 p.m. Nov. 22. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $30-$50. 858-748-0505, 4sdanceacademy.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"GrandGrand Kyiv Ballet will present its \u201cSnow Queen\u201d ballet on Nov. 26 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. (Grand Kyiv Ballet)
\nGrand Kyiv Ballet<\/p>\n

After the\u00a0married principal dancers of the National Opera of Ukraine lost their home in the war, they launched a touring company staffed with international and Ukrainian ballet dancers.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe Snow Queen\u201d is a family-friendly, holiday alternative to \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d with hand-sewn costumes, elaborate sets and skillful dance artists.\u00a07 p.m. Nov. 26. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $40-$171.55. 619-615-4180,\u00a0sandiegotheatres.org<\/a><\/p>\n

New West Ballet<\/p>\n

Mark Erickson\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker Ballet\u201d brings beautiful costumes, sets and dancing to the stage, to tell an enchanting tale of young Clara\u2019s first crush. 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 29; 3 p.m. Nov. 30. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $40-$50. 858-748-0505, newwestballet.com\/nutcracker25<\/a><\/p>\n

DECEMBER
\n\"AmericanAmerican Ballet Theatre\u2019s \u201cNutcracker\u201d will be presented Dec. 11-Dec. 21 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. (Cheryl Mann)
\nAmerican Ballet Theatre<\/p>\n

The ABT returns to Southern California, celebrating its 10th season at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa. Alexei Ratmansky choreographed the \u201cNutcracker\u201d extravaganza, with local ABT Gillespie School students, costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Richard Hudson and live music by the Pacific Symphony.\u00a0Opens Dec. 11 and runs through Dec. 21. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 11:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Segerstrom Center, 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa. $79 (including processing fee) and up. 714-556-2787,\u00a0scfta.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\""An\u201cAn Irish Christmas\u201d will be presented Dec. 21 at the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego. (Kerry Irish Productions)
\n\u201cAn Irish Christmas\u201d<\/p>\n

Kerry Irish Productions presents this holiday concert that combines Irish holiday music and carols with Irish dancing featuring dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $46.35-$101.15. sandiegotheatres.org<\/a><\/p>\n

City Ballet of San Diego<\/p>\n

Carolers sing holiday songs in the lobby before the Victorian-era, full-length ballet, choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich. The City Ballet orchestra, directed by John Nettles, performs the Tchaikovsky score for this Tommy Award-winning production known for its superb dance artists.\u00a02 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and Dec. 23; 2 p.m. Dec. 21; 7:30 p.m. Dec 22. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $63.60-$142.80. 800-988-4253, cityballet.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Encinitas Ballet Academy<\/p>\n

Choreographers Sayat and Olga Asatrya present their annual ballet featuring former student and Youth America Grand Prix-winner Annalise Bedrosian starring as the Sugar Plum Fairy with former Mariinsky Ballet Theatre professional Alexander Saveliev.\u00a02 and 6 p.m. Dec. 13. at San Dieguito High School Performing Arts Center, 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas. $40-$60. 760-632-4947,\u00a0encinitasballet.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Golden State Ballet<\/p>\n

Choreographed by artistic director Raul Salamanca, the downtown production includes spectacular sets, elaborate costumes, and professional dancers and students from the award-winning academy. John Stubbs conducts a live orchestra from the San Diego Symphony. Recommended for ages 3 and up. No refunds. Limited late seating. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13; 1 p.m. Dec. 14; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $58.40-$199.75. Youth discounts available. goldenstateballet.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Performing Arts Workshop<\/p>\n

This popular all-ages dance school, home to Ballet Collective San Diego, will stage its annual \u201cNutcracker\u201d with a cast of 50, including professionals, students and teachers. Natalie Matsurra stars as the Sugar Plum Fairy. 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Light Box Theater, 2590 Truxton Road, Suite 205, Liberty Station, Point Loma. $40, general; $30, children 3-12. dancepaw.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"SanSan Diego Symphony will present the annual Salute to Vienna New Year\u2019s Concert on Jan. 1, 2026, at Jacobs Music Center in San Diego. (Chris Lee)
\nSalute to Vienna New Years Concert<\/p>\n

San Diego Symphony will persent the annual visit of the Salute to Vienna concert in its 30th anniversary tour. The program features music by the Strauss Symphony of America, featuring San Diego Symphony members, vocal soloists and dancers from San Diego Ballet performing Viennese waltzes. 2:30 p.m. Jan. 1. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $80-$132. sandiegosymphony.org<\/a><\/p>\n

San Diego Ballet<\/p>\n

The San Diego Ballet has a residency with the San Diego Museum of Art, and its season productions are inspired by works of art. The theme of this year\u2019s \u201cNutcracker\u201d is illusionism because it brings a magical world to life with ballerinas, fairies and flying snowflakes.\u00a01 and 5 p.m. Dec. 20; 1 p.m. Dec. 21. The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon. The times stated on the Ticketmaster and The Magnolia site are one hour before showtime. $59-$135. Group discount. 619-294-7378, sandiegoballet.org<\/a><\/p>\n

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet<\/p>\n

Celebrate the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet\u2019s 80th Anniversary Season with a trip to the Enchanted Land of Sweets. Danika Pramik-Holdaway directs the students of the Balboa Park-based company in the annual \u201cNutcracker\u201d production. 7 pm. Dec. 12; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13; 2 p.m. Dec. 14; 7 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Casa del Prado Theater, Balboa Park $27. 619-259-0220, sdcyb.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Southern California Ballet<\/p>\n

Now in its 35th year, SCB\u2019s \u201cNutcracker\u201d will feature more than 100 dancers of all ages, inclduing professional guest artists from around the world. 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20; 1 p.m. Dec. 21. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $40-$70, discounts for students, seniors and military. 858-748-0505, powaycenter.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dance Academy Del Mar<\/p>\n

Dancers ages 3 to 18, trained in The Royal Academy of Dance ballet education program, perform in the school\u2019s \u201cNutcracker\u201d program. Guest artists perform in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 6. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $48-$78. 800-988-4253,\u00a0artcenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n

West Coast Ballet Theater and San Elijo Dance and Music Academy<\/p>\n

The Civic Youth Orchestra accompanies this full-scale production, complete with falling snow. Professional guest artists and talented ballet students perform the story of Clara.\u00a02 p.m. Dec. 13-14.\u00a0California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido.\u00a0$57.60-$105. 800-988-4253,\u00a0artcenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n

West Coast Dance Complex<\/p>\n

Clara journeys through a shimmering Land of Snow and into the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets in this \u201cNutcracker\u201d production, performed by pre-professionals from the Carmel Valley-based school.\u00a0\u00a0Live music by the Winecreek Ensemble Orchestra accompanies the show. 6 p.m. Dec. 7. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $66-$84. 800-988-4253,\u00a0artcenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DancersDancers from World Ballet Company perform the Arabian Dance in the company\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d production, which plays in December in both San Diego and Escondido. (World Ballet Company)
\nWorld Ballet Company<\/p>\n

The touring organization that brought \u201cThe Great Gatsby\u201d to San Diego is staging its \u201cNutcracker\u201d at two venues. With a cast of 40 international dancers, World Ballet is known for its skillful international cast, opulent sets and bejeweled costumes. 6 p.m. Dec. 6; 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $57.65-$121.40. 619-615-4180, sandiegotheatres.org<\/a>; 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $60-$138. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dancers of all ages and abilities, from little\u00a0children to professional\u00a0ballet artists, participate in \u201cThe Nutcracker,\u201d making it a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":55759,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[7,1472,967,10428,181,3054,6756,74,84,76,75,1058,420],"class_list":{"0":"post-55758","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-diego","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-dance","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-escondido","12":"tag-latest-headlines","13":"tag-north-county","14":"tag-poway","15":"tag-san-diego","16":"tag-san-diego-county","17":"tag-san-diego-headlines","18":"tag-san-diego-news","19":"tag-theater","20":"tag-things-to-do"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55758\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}