A San Francisco Tradition Since 1944

Enchanting Bay Area audiences since 1944, San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker is the country's oldest full-length production. 

As befitting such an institution, it's a dazzling extravaganza full of glittering costumes, sets, and incredible performances from a world-class cast of dancers. Wrapped up in Tchaikovsky's iconic score performed by a live orchestra, it makes for an unmissable spectacle that fills you with festive joy from the first step. If you're looking for the ultimate holiday outing, you can't go wrong with this one!

What Is The Story?

The scene opens in a quaint toy maker's shop; Drosselmeyer is putting the finishing touches to a beautiful nutcracker toy before heading out to the Stahbaum's party, laden with his gifts. At the party, young Clara and Fritz participate in the tree-trimming ceremony for the very first time; they are surrounded by friends and family celebrating the festive season. When Drosselmeyer arrives, he produces fabulous wooden dolls that spring to life, and gives the nutcracker doll to Clara; alas, Fritz grabs hold of it first and accidentally breaks it. Drosselmeyer comforts the distraught girl and fixes the toy's jaw with his hankie.

After the party, Clara is tired and falls into a deep sleep, her nutcracker beside her. Awakening suddenly, she notices the room around her has changed dramatically. The Christmas tree towers over her, as does the furniture, and she is ambushed by life-sized mice brandishing swords! But a whistle by a familiar-looking character summons a host of toy soldiers and leads the charge against the rascally rodents. Clara helps by throwing her shoe, and the toy soldiers prevail. The handsome stranger turns to Clara; it is her beloved Nutcracker, come to life!

The two journey on a beautiful sled to a forest with dancing snowflakes, who point them to the enchanted Crystal Palace, where the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns benevolently over her candy courtiers. As a reward for their efforts against the mouse army, she decrees that a special dance be put on for her special guests that include vignettes by whirling Chinese tea, French mirlitons, Russian vodka, Arabic coffee and Spanish hot chocolate and of course, the famous pas-de-deux by the Fairy and her Chevalier.