The Nutcracker 2026Colorado Springs · Olympic City USA

The Nutcracker with kids in Colorado Springs, 2026.

We found four Nutcrackers in and around Colorado Springs with 2026 dates posted: four ballet company productions. The closest, The Nutcracker by Colorado Springs Philharmonic with the OU School of Dance in Colorado Springs, 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 · 4 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.

Shows

Nutcracker shows near COS

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

Nov27to 29

The Nutcracker by Colorado Springs Philharmonic with the OU School of Dance

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave. · Colorado Springs, CO · about 1 mile away

Ballet company
Times
Nov 27 and 28 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Nov 29 at 2 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: A Thanksgiving weekend run with the full orchestra and the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale. The Philharmonic has a free-for-kids ticket program; check its site.

Dec6Sun

The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company

Pueblo Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place · Pueblo, CO · about 45 miles away

Ballet company
Times
Sun Dec 6 at 6 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Ages 2 and up only
Price
$43.50–$116.99 with fees

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

Dec10to 13

Nutcracker the Ballet by Sangre de Cristo Ballet

Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center · Pueblo, CO · about 45 miles south

Ballet company
Times
Dec 10 and 11 at 7 p.m.; Dec 12 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec 13 at 2 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Pueblo's yearly Nutcracker. The same dancers also do Nutcracker in a Nutshell, a one-hour version, on Sat Nov 21 at 2 p.m. ($8 before Nov 1, then $10). Buy only through tickets.sdc-arts.org.

Dec22to 23

A Colorado Nutcracker

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave. · Colorado Springs, CO · about 1 mile away

Ballet company
Times
Tue Dec 22 at 7 p.m.; Wed Dec 23 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: The story moves to Glen Eyrie in 1907, with General Palmer and Nikola Tesla handing Clara her nutcracker. A fun one for local families.

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 COS

Good questions

The Nutcracker in Colorado Springs: the FAQ

The Nutcracker by Colorado Springs Philharmonic with the OU School of Dance at Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.: Nov 27 – Nov 29. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Pueblo Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place: Sun Dec 6. Price: $43.50–$116.99 with fees. Nutcracker the Ballet by Sangre de Cristo Ballet at Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center: Thu Dec 10, Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13. A Colorado Nutcracker at Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.: Dec 22 – Dec 23.

Not one we could confirm on an official page for 2026. We add one as soon as a company posts it.

It depends on the company. 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 COS that weekend, holiday shows included.

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