George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Christmas trees fashioned from ballet shoes out in the foyer. Tchaikovsky's iconic music. And lots of ballet kids on stage. It's almost impossible not to get in the Christmas spirit when The Nutcracker occupies the Old Scene. Of course, it will do so again at the end of 2026, when the many recognizable melodies added to elegant steps make both small and large Christmas hearts beat to the beat in the winter cold.

The Nutcracker is a real family show. It is not only a cheerful ballet for children, but also an opportunity for their parents and grandparents to dream back to the carefree and wonder of childhood. In George Balanchine's masterful 1954 version, the magic has been turned up and he has created an imaginative narrative that is at the same time the best starting point for the year's coziest party.

The story spans a single night. But not just any night. Little Marie is given the most amazing nutcracker as a Christmas present by her godfather, and when the clock strikes midnight, it leads her on a magical journey. She travels from the evocative Christmas party in the lap of the family to the fairytale country of slaraffen, and on her way she encounters dangerous mice, dancing snowflakes and rolling flowers, sweet pole chestnuts and a majestic sugar fairy. Just to name a few.

The mysterious fairy tale of the enigmatic nutcracker was originally written by the eccentric German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. In 1892, it was first made into ballet. Tchaikovsky composed the music, which, with its many recognizable, catchy themes, is one of the most beloved works in music history.

The Nutcracker also goes on tour to Musikhuset Aarhus. Read more here.

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