The Nutcracker Ballet: 10 Holiday Shows for New York City Kids

The Nutcracker ballet, as beautiful as it is, can be a bit much for little kids to take in. To get them to experience the magic and wonder of this timeless classic, or for a different twist for the kid who's seen the Nutcracker a bunch of times, opt to attend a less traditional version of the show—there’s a whole bunch happening in the city. They are usually shorter, less expensive and more fun, but still have that Nutcracker charm that will keep adults wide-eyed, too.
 

The Colonial Nutcracker
December 13 at 2pm
This narrated and abridged version of Tchaikovsky's classic comes to life in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. Ages 4 and up. 
Tickets: $6

New York Theatre Ballet
Florence Gould Hall, UES. Several dates
Perfect for toddlers and young children, a one-hour Nutcracker performed in an intimate theater, allowing children to feel like they are part of the show. Tickets: $35/adults, $30/children 12 and under

NY Theatre Ballet at the WFC
December 1, 1:30 and 6pm
You can see the New York Theatre Ballet performance for free Dec 1 at the World Financial Center in Battery Park City. (We saw both the $30 show and the free one last year and they were identical). It's important to get there early though because it is crowded - or at least the 6pm performance was crowded. On the upside you can get dinner in the mall and watch the show while eating.

Joffrey Ballet School
December 18th-20th
Students from the Joffrey Ballet School perform 'Nutcracker 2009' at NYU.
Tickets: $18-$58.

Ballet for Young Audiences
December 13
Flushing Town Hall
A one-hour performance that introduces children to Clara's Nutcracker. He turns into a prince and takes her to visit the Enchanted Forest, complete with magical dancing snowflakes and the wondrously beautiful Sugarplum Fairy, in the Kingdom of the Sweets. $15/adult, $12/children

The Great Russian Nutcracker
December 20 at 3pm
Queens College
Russian American Ballet received an award from Mayor Bloomberg for Best Ballet Shows for the Young Audience this year. The show is designed with families in mind and features a full-length performance by an all-Russian cast with spectacular scenic design and sumptuous costumes. Tickets: $20/adults, $12/children 12 and under

Nutcracker in a Nutshell
December 7 at 3:30pm
This Nutcracker workshop is highly interactive, inviting kids (agest 4-8) to enact the Battle Scene between the mice and the soldiers. There's an overview of the story, performances by Manhattan Youth Ballet dancers, the enactment, and a Q&A with the dancers and instructor. Reservations strongly recommended (212-787-1178). $40/family of 3 and $5/additional children.

A few more:

Wild WInterland Nutcracker
December 13 and 14
As part of its Wild Winterland weekends, the Bronx Zoo will have special presentations of the Nutcracker performed by the New Englad Ballet Company.

Nutcracker Excerpts
December 20 and 21
Students and dancers from Chinatown's Chen Dance Center perform highlights from the classic story. Call 212 349-0126 for more info. $7

The Yorkville Nutcracker
December 10-13
Set in 1895, The Yorkville Nutcracker visits some of New York's most beloved landmarks, like a holiday party at Gracie Mansion and the Sugar Plum Fairy's mystical land of sweets: the glass conservatory at the Bronx Botanical Garden. $60-$90

New York City Ballet
November 28-January 3
Lincoln Center
OK, so we had to mention the "real" one, even though we wouldn't recommend it for young kids. Tickets can be had for as little as $10 (non-peak standing room) and go up to $215 for "sweet seats."

A great Holiday gift would be a tickets to one of these performances and one of these wonderful books:

If you love Maurice Sendack and The Nutcracker, then this heirloom quality Nutcracker edition illustrated by Sendack will be cherished for years to come.

Kids can create their own theater and act out The Nutcracker at home with this Paper Cut-out Toy Nutcracker Theater.

Young children will enjoy this Story of the Nutcracker Ballet to help explain the story before they see the show.

Looking for more things to do this holiday season? Check out our New York City Holiday Activity Guide.