This holiday season, The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the return of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s magical production of The Nutcracker. Set in Chicago’s World Fair in 1893, The Nutcracker highlights the rich cultural heritage of Chicago and the wonder of the season. A beloved Chicago tradition for the entire family to enjoy, The Nutcracker will be presented at the historic Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago, in 25 performances, from December 2–27, 2023.

The Nutcracker opens as young Marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the Fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, host a festive Christmas Eve celebration. Magic is on the horizon for young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince, thanks to a visit from the charming but mysterious Great Impresario. At the stroke of midnight on a snowy Christmas Eve, when the lines between fantasy and reality blur together, Marie sets out on an unforgettable journey through Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, a marvel of sights, sounds, and enchantment.