We found three Nutcrackers in and around Des Moines with 2026 dates posted: three ballet company productions. The closest, The Nutcracker by Ballet Des Moines in Des Moines, 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.
Ballet company · to Dec 13 · Hoyt Sherman Place11DecFriThe Nutcracker by Iowa Dance TheatreBallet company · to Dec 12 · Des Moines Civic Center12DecSatThe Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens AuditoriumBallet company · to Dec 13 · Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State UniversityNothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Hoyt Sherman Place · Des Moines, IA · about 1 mile away
Good to know: The Heartland Youth Choir sings with the company. The Dec 13 Nutcracker Tea at 11 a.m. is sold out; the 3:15 p.m. seating was still listed.
Des Moines Civic Center · Des Moines, IA · about 1 mile away
Good to know: A Civic Center tradition since 1997.
Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University · Ames, IA · about 35 miles north
Good to know: A December tradition at Stephens since 1981, with more than 150 local dancers from central Iowa and guest professionals as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.
Know one we missed?Send us the company’s or theater’s page and we’ll check the dates and add it.Suggest a showBefore 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 Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Des MoinesFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Des MoinesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Sledding in Des MoinesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rules
Thanksgiving weekend in Des MoinesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in Des MoinesParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas markets in Des MoinesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas tree farms in Des MoinesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Des MoinesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kids
Playgrounds in Des MoinesParks with a playground, restrooms and shelters
Splash pads in Des MoinesSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in Des MoinesStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth soccer, basketball and learn to skate in Des MoinesSoccer, basketball and learn to skate for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Des Moines this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
The Nutcracker by Ballet Des Moines at Hoyt Sherman Place: Dec 10 – Dec 13. Price: Not listed. The Nutcracker by Iowa Dance Theatre at Des Moines Civic Center: Dec 11 – Dec 12. Price: Not listed. The Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens Auditorium at Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University: Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13. Price: Not listed.
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 Ballet Des Moines: All ages. The Nutcracker by Iowa Dance Theatre: Children of every age. 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 Nov 9, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
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