Nearby Nutcracker Performances! Take in the classic locally this Holiday Season. SKC’s 2025 Show Guide is sponsored by Sole City Dance!
Sometimes I feel like the holiday season just zooms by before I’ve even realized it has begun. However, nothing helps me get more into the Christmas spirit than relaxing and watching a performance of a classic holiday ballet or play.
If you’re like me and need to take a break from Christmas shopping and baking cookies, make sure to catch one of these local performances. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to dance out of the theater, full of joy, just like all of those Sugar Plum Fairies!
There are numerous performances of the Nutcracker happening in theatres all around the Seacoast area this year.
We are thrilled to introduce Sole City Dance as the sponsor of this year’s 2025 Nutcracker Guide on SKC! The Nutcracker, a holiday entertainment tradition, returns once again to the Rochester Opera House. For the 20th year, Sole City Dance will present its enchanting version of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale featuring the mysterious toymaker Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara and her beloved Nutcracker Prince, dancing snowflakes, battling mice and many other fantastic and colorful characters.
The Nutcracker 2025 – Seacoast Area Performances
The Nutcracker Presented by Sole City Dance
Venue: Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield St. Rochester, NH
BOX OFFICE: (603) 335-1992
Performance Dates / Times:
Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Friday, December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This classic holiday tale performed by Sole City Dance has become a regional favorite! This soaring story, framed by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score, captures the wonder and expectation of the night before Christmas when a mysterious gift sparks an extraordinary journey.
Follow Clara as she embarks on an adventure filled with colorful characters, majestic scenery, and breathtaking costumes. You’ll find your heart dancing as Clara and the Nutcracker Prince overcome obstacles on their way to the Land of Sweets.
From the captivating dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this delightful holiday classic continues to enthrall audiences of all ages. Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or it’s an annual treat, start your holiday season in grand style with the ones you love.
Tickets
$20-25
The Nutcracker Performances Presented by Safe Haven Ballet
Venue: Multiple Theatre Locations
Performance Dates / Times & Locations:
Oyster River High School
55 Coe Dr, Durham, NH 03824
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Lowell Memorial Auditorium
50 E Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Colonial Theatre
609 Main St, Laconia, NH 03246
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S Main St, Concord, NH 03301
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2:00 & 7:00 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Nashua Center for the Arts
201 Main St, Nashua, NH 03060
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy
22-98 Bypass 28, Derry, NH 03038
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Purchase Tickets Here!
Safe Haven Ballet is thrilled to bring their spirited, full-length ballet of The Nutcracker to New England this season! This dynamic performance includes all of your favorite characters including a strong-minded Clara to the eccentric Drosselmeyer, the spooky rats, as well as the beloved Sugarplum Fairy. In the Land of Sweets you will be introduced to a variation unique to Safe Haven Ballet called The Brave American. Come be transformed by the magic of the season with us!
SHB is located in beautiful Portsmouth, New Hampshire and exists to offer free trauma sensitive classes to survivors of sexual/domestic violence and trauma. Many of these brave survivors will be in the production as they help bring the magic of the season to you. We would love your energetic applause!
The Nutcracker Presented by The Dance Annex
Venue: York Community Auditorium, York High School
1 Robert Stevens Drive, York, Maine
Performance Dates / Times:
Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 1:00 & 6:00 PM
Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This Thanksgiving weekend The Dance Annex presents The Nutcracker, celebrating its ninth annual presentation of this timeless holiday favorite. Follow Clara on her magical journey to the Land of the Sweets in this enchanting production that features members of Annex Contemporary Dance Company, special guest artists, and more than 50 local students. This beloved ballet is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Begin your holiday season with The Nutcracker!
Tickets
$26-34
Lap-sitters are free. Prices do not include fees.
Special Discounts
Receive a special Early Bird Discount when you purchase tickets before November 7!
Use code: Earlybird7 at checkout to receive 7% off the regular ticket price.
Receive a Special Group Discount when you purchase 5 or more!
Use code: Group25 at checkout to receive 5% off the regular ticket price.
*Discounts cannot be combined.
The Nutcracker Presented by Portsmouth School of Ballet
Venue: Dover High School Auditorium
61 Locust Street, Dover, NH
Performance Dates / Times:
Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM
“In a world where dreams waltz with snowflakes and toys come to life, Clara discovers a magic only the heart can understand.” The bond between Clara and her Nutcracker is more than a story—it’s a journey of wonder, courage, and imagination that enchants generation after generation. Step into the magic with PSB’s production of The Nutcracker – a timeless holiday tradition for the whole family.
Join us for a night of twinkling lights, swirling snow, and holiday dreams.
Tickets
On sale in November at PSB
$25 each (Cash or Check only)
The Nutcracker Presented by Elite Dance & Aerial (formerly BKS Dance & Aerial)
Venue: Stratham Cooperative School
100 Academic Way, Stratham, NH
Performance Date / Time:
Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
The Elite Dance & Aerial Annual Production of the Nutcracker takes you on the timeless tale of Claras journey through the Land of the Sweets where acrobatic Candy Canes will soar, Polichinelles will delight, and Dancers of all ages will pirouette their way into your hearts. The Nutcracker is perfect for audience members big and small and showcases students ages 3 – up.
Don’t miss the Elite Dance & Aerial annual production of the Nutcracker at the Stratham Cooperative Middle School on Saturday, December 20th at 10:00 am & 2:00 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by emailing bksdanceaerial@outlook.com.
Elite Dance & Aerial is a Ballet focused program with classes in Ballet, Pointe, Pas de deux, Aerial, Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip-hop, Ages 3 – up, Pre-professional – Recreational. Please see the studios website www.bbfnh.com for more information on classes and registration.
Tickets
$20 each
The Nutcracker Presented by Brixham Danceworks
Venue: Noble High School
100 Noble Way, Berwick, ME
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with Brixham Danceworks’ presentation of The Nutcracker! Join Clara one enchanted Christmas Eve as she travels to the Land of Sweets with her Nutcracker Prince. Tickets are on sale November 8th.
Performance Date / Times:
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2:00 and 7:00 PM
Tickets
$25-28
A Nutcracker Panto! Presented by The Firehouse Center for the Arts and Theater in the Open
Venue: The Firehouse Center
1 Market Square, Newburyport, MA
Theater in the Open is happy to be back at the Firehouse for our production of A Nutcracker Panto, written by Edward F. Speck and adapted from the classic holiday ballet. Presented in the traditional British panto style, this holiday send-up is a family friendly romp through Clara’s adventure with the Nutcracker, the battle with the Rat King, and more than likely a Tik Tok dance trend. Holiday Pantos with Theater in the Open are a tradition in Newburyport, and we are excited to bring this incredible joy to our community. Join us!
Audience members of Theater in the Open’s “A Nutcracker Panto!” are encouraged to bring toiletries, canned soups, and other non-perishable items along to the performance; you even get to go up on stage to put them under Clara’s tree for The Pettengill House in Salisbury!
Written by Edward F. Speck. Directed by Edward F. Speck and Joshua Shack.
Performance Date / Times:
Saturday December 13, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Saturday December 13, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday December 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Friday December 19, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday December 20, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Saturday December 20, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday December 21, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Tickets
Adults | $22
Students/Seniors | $18
The Bang Group’s Nut/Cracked
Venue: The Dance Hall
7 Walker Street, Kittery, ME
Performance Date / Time:
November 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It’s The Nutcracker, but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girls favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theatre. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism which honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.
Tickets
$15-30
Wishing to go to Boston to see The Nutcracker this season?
Check out these upcoming popular performances in the city:
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Give the gift of NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET to the whole family. Celebrate America’s favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast that blends world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics! Share the tradition of pure Holiday magic and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with friends and family of all ages. Don’t miss this chance to create memories of a lifetime.
November 29, 2025 Shubert Theatre
Purchase Tickets
Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Create an annual tradition with your family this holiday season at one of New England’s favorite celebrations. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the dazzling snow scene – set to the iconic music of Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker is a production beloved by audiences of all ages that your family will never forget.
November 28 – December 28, 2025 Citizens Bank Opera House
Purchase Tickets
Looking for more fun things to do with the family? Check SKC’s calendar page for all the holiday happenings!
