Few things signal the start of the holidays in Lincoln Square like the opening night of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The New York City Ballet (NYCB) begins its annual season of the beloved classic on Friday, November 27 at 8:00pm, and the season runs through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
The scale of this production is hard to overstate. The Company’s entire roster of more than 150 dancers and musicians takes the stage, joined by more than 120 children from the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet. The young performers appear in two alternating casts, so each performance has its own mix of talent.
Highlights of this world-renowned holiday production include a one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 16 to 41 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes, including one for Mother Ginger that measures 9 feet wide and weighs 85 pounds! The production’s grand finale involves one million watts of lighting, the most used in any New York City Ballet production.
NYCB Executive Director Katherine Brown said, “This is a tradition worth celebrating as we present our annual engagement of this classic production, which has been a cherished part of the holiday season in New York City since 1954.”
A Special Sensory-Friendly Performance
The season closes with a performance designed to welcome even more of the community. On Sunday, January 3 at 1:00pm, NYCB will present a sensory-friendly performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. It creates a relaxed and inclusive environment for audiences with disabilities, including those with autism.
Modifications to the social and sensory environment include a relaxed entry and exit policy, adjustments to lighting and sound levels, and designated break areas throughout the theater. Additional staff will be on hand to assist with audience needs, and pre-visit resources are available to help families prepare. Visit nycballet.com/sensoryfriendly for details.
Tickets for performances from November 27 through January 3 are on sale now at nycballet.com, at the theater box office, or by phone at (212) 496-0600. The David H. Koch Theater is located on the Lincoln Center Plaza at Columbus Avenue and 63rd Street, right in the heart of our neighborhood. Whether George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is a tradition your family returns to every year or a first-time outing, the season is a chance to see Lincoln Square at its most festive. Grab your tickets, and use our Neighborhood Guide to find the perfect place for dinner before the curtain rises.
