We found six Nutcrackers in and around Chicago with 2026 dates posted: five ballet company productions and one shorter kids’ version. The closest, The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, is about 1 miles out. Each card has the run time, the youngest age the company allows and the ticket price as posted.
By date
Tap a show for run time, ages, prices and any sensory-friendly performance.
Kids’ version · Time not listed · Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.4DecFriThe Nutcracker by Joffrey BalletBallet company · to Dec 27 · Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.5DecSatRuth Page's The NutcrackerBallet company · to Dec 6 · Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University11DecFriThe Nutcracker by Ballet ChicagoBallet company · to Dec 13 · Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave.11DecFriThe Nutcracker by Hyde Park School of DanceBallet company · to Dec 13 · Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St.18DecFriSalt Creek Ballet: The NutcrackerBallet company · to Dec 20 · McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. · Chicago, IL · about 15 miles away
Good to know: A short version that works well for a first ballet.
Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr. · Chicago, IL · about 1 mile away
Good to know: Set at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University · University Park, IL · about 30 miles away
Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave. · Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away
Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St. · Chicago, IL · about 8 miles away
Good to know: Both Saturday shows open with a young dancer pre-show. Live ASL interpretation is offered at every performance.
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. · Glen Ellyn, IL · about 24 miles away
Good to know: Danced with the New Philharmonic playing live. The MAC says these shows sell out most years.
Before you go
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
November: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ChicagoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in ChicagoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with dates
Christmas markets in ChicagoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.: Dec 4 – Dec 27. Ruth Page's The Nutcracker at Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University: Dec 5 – Dec 6. The Nutcracker by Ballet Chicago at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave.: Dec 11 – Dec 13. Plus two more on this page.
Not one we could confirm on an official page for 2026. The shorter kids’ version here (Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite) can be easier for little ones.
Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Under 1 hour.
It depends on the company. Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite: All ages. The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet: Full-length ballet; best for kids who can sit through a two-act show. Ruth Page's The Nutcracker: Ages 5 and up. The Nutcracker by Ballet Chicago: All ages. 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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend, holiday shows included.
