The Nutcracker 2026San Francisco Bay Area · The Bay

The Nutcracker with kids in San Francisco Bay Area, 2026.

We found six Nutcrackers in and around San Francisco Bay Area with 2026 dates posted: five ballet company productions and one shorter kids’ version. One has a sensory-friendly or relaxed performance. The closest, The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company, is in San Francisco.

The quick answersChecked
Is there a sensory-friendly show?Nutcracker (sensory-friendly): You can come and go during the show, and there are quiet spaces to take a break1 showIs there a shorter kids’ version?The Nutcracker Bird: from Dec 19.1 show

Last checked · 6 shows · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every Nutcracker, by opening date

Tap a show for run time, ages, prices and any sensory-friendly performance.

4DecFriThe Nutcracker by San Francisco BalletBallet company · to Dec 27 · War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave.16DecWedThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Wed Dec 16 at 7 p.m. · Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave19DecSatGraham Lustig's The NutcrackerBallet company · to Dec 20 · Paramount Theatre19DecSatThe Nutcracker BirdKids’ version · to Dec 20 · Regents' Theater23DecWedThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Wed Dec 23 at 7 p.m. · Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St27DecSunNutcracker (sensory-friendly)Ballet company · Sunday, Dec 27 at 11 a.m. · War Memorial Opera House

Shows

Nutcracker shows near Bay Area

Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.

Dec4to 27

The Nutcracker by San Francisco Ballet

War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. · San Francisco, CA · about 1 mile away

Ballet company
Times
Not listed
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec16Wed

The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company

Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave · Campbell, CA · about 50 miles away

Ballet company
Times
Wed Dec 16 at 7 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Ages 2 and up only
Price
$76.50–$126.50 with fees

Good to know: A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec19to 20

Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker

Paramount Theatre · Oakland, CA · about 10 miles away

Ballet company
Times
Not listed
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Kids 2 and up need a ticket. Under 2 can sit on a lap.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec19to 20

The Nutcracker Bird

Regents' Theater · Oakland, CA · about 10 miles away

Kids’ version
Times
1 and 5 p.m. both days
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec23Wed

The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company

Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St · San Francisco, CA · Union Square

Ballet company
Times
Wed Dec 23 at 7 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Ages 2 and up only
Price
$78.08–$195.20 with fees

Good to know: A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec27Sun

Nutcracker (sensory-friendly)

War Memorial Opera House · San Francisco, CA · about 1 mile away

Ballet companySensory-friendly
Times
Sunday, Dec 27 at 11 a.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed
Sensory-friendly
You can come and go during the show, and there are quiet spaces to take a break
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Before you go

Making the ballet work with little ones

TimingPick a matineeAfternoon shows fit around naps, and most full Nutcrackers run about two hours with an intermission.
SeatsSit on an aisleAn aisle seat makes a quick break in the lobby easy. Check the company’s age rule before you buy, since many ask that every child have a ticket.
SoundBring ear protection if they need itThe battle scene can be loud. Sensory-friendly shows keep the house lights up and the sound lower.

Keep planning

More for little kids in Bay Area

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Good questions

The Nutcracker in San Francisco Bay Area: the FAQ

The Nutcracker by San Francisco Ballet at War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave.: Dec 4 – Dec 27. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Heritage Theatre, 1 W Campbell Ave: Wed Dec 16. Price: $76.50–$126.50 with fees. Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker at Paramount Theatre: Dec 19 – Dec 20. The Nutcracker Bird at Regents' Theater: Dec 19 – Dec 20. Plus two more on this page.

Nutcracker (sensory-friendly): You can come and go during the show, and there are quiet spaces to take a break.

The Nutcracker Bird at Regents' Theater: Dec 19 – Dec 20.

It depends on the company. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company: Ages 2 and up only. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company: Ages 2 and up only. A full Nutcracker usually runs about two hours with an intermission, so a matinee is easier with preschoolers.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Bay Area that weekend, holiday shows included.

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