The Nutcracker

Colorado Ballet brings The Nutcracker back to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House starting November 28, 2026, and running through December 27. It's a long run, so you've got a good window to fit it in whenever works for you over the holiday season.

If you're not familiar with the story, it's based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic: Clara and her Nutcracker Prince go on an enchanted journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Artistic Director Gil Boggs says the ballet has been part of Colorado families' holiday celebrations for 66 years, and that's a good way to put it—it's one of those things that just becomes part of the season for a lot of people here.

One thing that sets this production apart is that the music isn't a recording. Tchaikovsky's score is performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, with The Evans Choir, directed by Catherine Sailer, joining in. The production also leans on stagecraft as much as dance, using lighting effects, pyrotechnics, and dry ice to build the scenes. It's performed in the 2,000-seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House at 1385 Curtis Street in downtown Denver.

Behind the scenes, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit founded in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker. These days the company has 43 professional dancers and 17 studio company dancers. They also run a sensory-friendly performance that tones down startling effects and relaxes house rules, along with a Pay What You Can showing, which is worth keeping in mind if you're bringing kids or just want a more accessible way to see it.

Tickets start at $40, and subscriptions start at $30 per ticket—a 25% savings if you're planning on seeing more than one show. The run goes from November 28 through December 27, so there's plenty of time to pick a date.