The Nutcracker in Orlando 2026: Orlando Ballet Dec. 4-27

Orlando Ballet's Nutcracker runs Dec. 4-27 at Steinmetz Hall, with family matinees. Central Florida Ballet's Nutcracker Tale with live orchestra is Nov. 19-20.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Orlando Ballet’s schedule, run time and family shows come from Orlando Ballet’s Nutcracker page; the Central Florida Ballet production from the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras. This page is updated for each year’s season at the same address.

Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker runs Dec. 4-27, 2026, at Steinmetz Hall in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. There are 20 public performances, with 7 p.m. evening shows, 2 p.m. matinees and a 1 p.m. show on Christmas Eve. Before that, Central Florida Ballet’s A Christmas Nutcracker Tale plays the Dr. Phillips Center on Nov. 19 and 20 with a live youth orchestra.

Know before you go

Orlando Ballet: Dec. 4-27, Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.

Run time: 1 hour, 57 minutes, with one 20-minute intermission

Tickets: through Orlando Ballet or the box office at 407-418-9828; public prices are not listed on the page

Ages: children must be at least 2, under the theater’s policy

Central Florida Ballet: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, at the Dr. Phillips Center, with live orchestra

Accessibility: Dr. Phillips Center guest services, 407-992-1754 or guestservices@drphillipscenter.org

Orlando Ballet performance schedule

Date	Times
Friday, Dec. 4	7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5	7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 6	2 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 11	7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13	2 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 18	7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 22	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 23	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 24	1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 26	2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 27	2 p.m.

Principal casting has not been announced. Orlando Ballet also runs one-hour, one-act field trip performances for school groups of 10 or more students at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 16. Those tickets are $16 for students and $20 for adults, with one free adult ticket for every 10 child tickets.

Family performances

Orlando Ballet calls its 2 p.m. shows on Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26 and 27, and the 1 p.m. show on Dec. 24, family-friendly performances. They allow relaxed re-entry during the show, and before curtain there are holiday crafts, Nutcracker story time, an interactive dance class, face painting and photo spots, the ballet says.

A VIP package, sold only with premium seats, adds a Nutcracker poster, a drink and a snack cup. Orlando Ballet does not list its price.

Central Florida Ballet’s A Christmas Nutcracker Tale

Central Florida Ballet students dance A Christmas Nutcracker Tale at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, at the Dr. Phillips Center. The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ Symphonic Orchestra plays the music live, the orchestra says. Tickets are sold through the Dr. Phillips Center; prices are not listed on the orchestra’s page.

Parking

Dr. Phillips Center parking: prepaid and valet parking can be bought through the Dr. Phillips Center when you buy tickets, Orlando Ballet says.
Nearby garages: city garages downtown are within walking distance. Rates and locations are on our getting around page.
Downtown closures: December weekends are busy around nearby Lake Eola Park, with the city’s tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 4, the same night as opening night. Check our road construction and closures page before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

When is Orlando Ballet’s Nutcracker in 2026? Dec. 4-27, 2026, at Steinmetz Hall in the Dr. Phillips Center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. Evening shows are at 7 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m., with a 1 p.m. show on Christmas Eve, Orlando Ballet says.

How long is Orlando Ballet’s Nutcracker? 1 hour, 57 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission, Orlando Ballet says.

Which Nutcracker shows are best for young children? Orlando Ballet’s family-friendly performances allow relaxed re-entry and have pre-show crafts, story time, a dance class, face painting and photo spots. They are the 2 p.m. shows on Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26 and 27 and the 1 p.m. show Dec. 24. Children must be at least 2.

Is there a Nutcracker with a live orchestra in Orlando? Yes. Central Florida Ballet’s A Christmas Nutcracker Tale is 7 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 at the Dr. Phillips Center, with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras’ Symphonic Orchestra playing the score, the orchestra says.

How much are Nutcracker tickets? Orlando Ballet does not list public ticket prices on its Nutcracker page; seats are sold through its Get Tickets link and the box office at 407-418-9828. School field trip shows are $16 for students and $20 for adults.