# The Nutcracker with kids in Chicago, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 6 Nutcracker shows with 2026 dates
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## Nutcracker shows

- **Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite** at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL · about 15 miles away. When: Sat, Nov 21, 2026. Ages: All ages. Type: Kids’ version. Run time: Under 1 hour. A short version that works well for a first ballet. Official page: https://thebeverlyartscenter.com/event/ruth-pages-the-nutcracker-suite-2/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet** at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL · about 1 mile away. When: Dec 4 – Dec 27. Ages: Full-length ballet; best for kids who can sit through a two-act show. Type: Ballet company. Set at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Official page: https://joffrey.org/performances-and-tickets/26-27-season/the-nutcracker-3/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Ruth Page's The Nutcracker** at Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, University Park, IL · about 30 miles away. When: Dec 5 – Dec 6. Ages: Ages 5 and up. Type: Ballet company. Official page: https://www.govst.edu/ruthpagenutcracker (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Ballet Chicago** at Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL · about 5 miles away. When: Dec 11 – Dec 13. Ages: All ages. Type: Ballet company. Run time: About 2 hours. Official page: https://athenaeumcenter.org/events/2026/the-nutcracker-2/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Hyde Park School of Dance** at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St., Chicago, IL · about 8 miles away. When: Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13. Time: Fri 7pm; Sat 1pm and 6pm; Sun 2pm. Price: $8.10–$48.10; children 5 and under free; lap children free. Type: Ballet company. Both Saturday shows open with a young dancer pre-show. Live ASL interpretation is offered at every performance. Official page: https://hydeparkdance.org/nutcracker (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker** at McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL · about 24 miles away. When: Fri Dec 18, Sat Dec 19 and Sun Dec 20. Time: Fri 7pm; Sat and Sun 1pm and 5pm. Price: See the MAC box office. Type: Ballet company. Danced with the New Philharmonic playing live. The MAC says these shows sell out most years. Official page: https://atthemac.org/events/nutcracker-salt-creek-ballet/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### Where can kids see The Nutcracker in Chicago in 2026?
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.

### Is there a sensory-friendly Nutcracker near Chicago?
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.

### Is there a short Nutcracker for little kids near Chicago?
Ruth Page's The Nutcracker Suite at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, Under 1 hour.

### How old should kids be for The Nutcracker?
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.

### How do you check these Nutcracker shows?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).