The Nutcracker - Hairston School of Dance Civic Ballet

About this event

Now in its fourth year, The Nutcracker returns to Cincinnati November 21–22, 2026 — presented for the first time by the Hairston School of Dance Civic Ballet, the newly formed nonprofit created by the dancers' own community so this tradition can keep growing. All performances are at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 108 W Central Pkwy.

Young dancers from across Greater Cincinnati bring Tchaikovsky's beloved holiday story to life — Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Land of Sweets — in a full production created to welcome every family into the theater.

Performances: Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM, and Sunday, November 22 at 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Tickets: General Admission $35 · Senior $25 · Students 18 and under $18 · Children under 2 free. Tickets at zeffy.com/ticketing/the-nutcracker-8

A special sensory-friendly performance opens the weekend on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM — house lights up, reduced sound, a quiet room, and other accommodations — creating a more welcoming theater experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. Sensory-friendly tickets are $15 at zeffy.com/ticketing/sensory-friendly-performance-the-nutcracker