# The Nutcracker with kids in Columbus, 2026

> We found four Nutcrackers in and around Columbus with 2026 dates posted: three ballet company productions and one shorter kids’ version. One has a sensory-friendly or relaxed performance. The closest, The Nutcracker by BalletMet in Columbus, is about 1 miles out.

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

- **The Nutcracker by Central Ohio Youth Ballet** at Midland Theatre, Newark, OH · about 35 miles away. When: Nov 27 – Nov 29. Time: Nov 27 and Nov 29. Price: $24 to $29. Type: Ballet company. Official page: https://www.midlandtheatre.org/nutcracker (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by BalletMet** at Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, OH · about 1 mile away. When: Dec 10 – Dec 27. Time: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. with weekend and holiday matinees, including Dec 19 at 2 p.m. and Dec 24 at noon. Ages: Billed for all ages. Type: Ballet company. Run time: About 1 hour 50 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. Dec 18 is an ugly holiday sweater night. Dec 20 is Columbus Zoo Day. Official page: https://www.balletmet.org/performances/the-nutcracker/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by New Albany Children's Ballet Theatre** at McCoy Center for the Arts, New Albany, OH · about 15 miles away. When: Dec 11 – Dec 13. Type: Ballet company. Official page: https://www.capa.com/productions/nacbt-nutcracker-26/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **My First Nutcracker** at Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, OH · about 1 mile away. When: Dec 22 – Dec 23. Time: Dec 22 and 23 at 11 a.m. Ages: Made for the youngest fans; everyone needs a ticket, babies included. Type: Kids’ version. Run time: About 1 hour. Sensory-friendly: Both shows are sensory-friendly: open seating, dimmer house lights, lower volume, a calming area, and you can come and go as needed. A shortened version of the full ballet with a character guide on the BalletMet site. Official page: https://www.balletmet.org/experience/my-first-nutcracker/ (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 Columbus in 2026?
The Nutcracker by Central Ohio Youth Ballet at Midland Theatre: Nov 27 – Nov 29. Price: $24 to $29. The Nutcracker by BalletMet at Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.: Dec 10 – Dec 27. The Nutcracker by New Albany Children's Ballet Theatre at McCoy Center for the Arts: Dec 11 – Dec 13. My First Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.: Dec 22 – Dec 23.

### Is there a sensory-friendly Nutcracker near Columbus?
My First Nutcracker: Both shows are sensory-friendly: open seating, dimmer house lights, lower volume, a calming area, and you can come and go as needed.

### Is there a short Nutcracker for little kids near Columbus?
My First Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.: Dec 22 – Dec 23, About 1 hour.

### How old should kids be for The Nutcracker?
It depends on the company. The Nutcracker by BalletMet: Billed for all ages. My First Nutcracker: Made for the youngest fans; everyone needs a ticket, babies included. 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/).