# The Nutcracker with kids in Indianapolis, 2026

> We found five Nutcrackers in and around Indianapolis with 2026 dates posted: four ballet company productions and one shorter kids’ version. Two have a sensory-friendly or relaxed performance. The closest, The Nutcracker by Indianapolis Ballet in Indianapolis, is about 6 miles out.

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

- **The Nutcracker by Indiana Ballet Conservatory** at Payne & Mencias Palladium, Carmel, IN · about 15 miles away. When: Sat Nov 28 and Sun Nov 29. Time: Nov 28 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Nov 29 at 1 and 6 p.m. Price: Not listed on the productions page. Ages: Not listed. Type: Ballet company. Run time: Full-length ballet. A traditional staging based on Vasily Vainonen's 1934 choreography, with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra playing the score live. Thanksgiving weekend makes it one of the earliest Nutcrackers in the area. Official page: https://www.indianaballetconservatory.org/productionsevents (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker at IU Jacobs School of Music** at Musical Arts Center, 101 N. Eagleson Ave., Bloomington, IN · about 50 miles away. When: Next: Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Fri Dec 11 and 1 more. Time: Dec 4, 11 and 12 at 7:30pm; Dec 5, 6 and 12 at 2pm. Price: $29–$65 with no processing fees. Ages: Not listed. Type: Ballet company. Sasha Janes's staging follows young Marie and her Aunt Drosselmeier, with Arthur Fagen conducting. This production aired nationally on public television last season. Official page: https://operaballet.indiana.edu/events/nutcracker.html (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Central Indiana Dance Ensemble** at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center at Zionsville High School, Zionsville, IN · about 17 miles away. When: Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13. Time: Dec 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec 12 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec 13 at 2 p.m. Price: Not listed on the season page. Ages: Not listed. Type: Ballet company. Run time: Full-length ballet. Sensory-friendly: Both 2 p.m. matinees are relaxed performances, so kids can talk quietly and leave their seats. Tickets: Tickets through the company's DanceTicketing link. A Sugar Plum Fairy Dessert Party at 12:30 p.m. before each matinee is ticketed separately. Official page: https://www.cidedance.org/current-season (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Indianapolis Ballet** at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN · about 6 miles away. When: Next: Thu Dec 17, Fri Dec 18, Sat Dec 19, Sun Dec 20 and 1 more. Time: Dec 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec 19 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec 20 at 1 and 6 p.m.; Dec 22 at 2 p.m. Price: From about $45 on Ticketmaster. Ages: Recommended for ages 5 and up. Type: Ballet company. Run time: About 2 hours with one intermission. Sensory-friendly: Dec 17 at 7:30 p.m. is sensory-friendly: house lights stay low, no strobes, louder moments softened, free movement, a quiet room, and no live orchestra that night. Tickets: Buy through indyballet.org or Ticketmaster only. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra plays the other six shows live. Official page: https://www.indyballet.org/nutcracker (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Nutcracker Sweets** at Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN · about 6 miles away. When: Dec 27 – Dec 30. Time: Noon and 3 p.m. Price: Not listed yet. Ages: Made for young kids and first-time ballet-goers. Type: Kids’ version. Run time: About 1 hour. Tickets: Tickets through Indianapolis Ballet. A one-hour version of the ballet from the company's Family Series. Official page: https://www.indyballet.org/season (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 Indianapolis in 2026?
The Nutcracker by Indiana Ballet Conservatory at Payne & Mencias Palladium: Sat Nov 28 and Sun Nov 29. Price: Not listed on the productions page. The Nutcracker at IU Jacobs School of Music at Musical Arts Center, 101 N. Eagleson Ave.: Next: Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Fri Dec 11 and 1 more. Price: $29–$65 with no processing fees. The Nutcracker by Central Indiana Dance Ensemble at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center at Zionsville High School: Fri Dec 11, Sat Dec 12 and Sun Dec 13. Price: Not listed on the season page. The Nutcracker by Indianapolis Ballet at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University: Next: Thu Dec 17, Fri Dec 18, Sat Dec 19, Sun Dec 20 and 1 more. Price: From about $45 on Ticketmaster. Plus one more on this page.

### Is there a sensory-friendly Nutcracker near Indianapolis?
The Nutcracker by Central Indiana Dance Ensemble: Both 2 p.m. matinees are relaxed performances, so kids can talk quietly and leave their seats. The Nutcracker by Indianapolis Ballet: Dec 17 at 7:30 p.m. is sensory-friendly: house lights stay low, no strobes, louder moments softened, free movement, a quiet room, and no live orchestra that night.

### Is there a short Nutcracker for little kids near Indianapolis?
Nutcracker Sweets at Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University: Dec 27 – Dec 30, About 1 hour.

### How old should kids be for The Nutcracker?
It depends on the company. The Nutcracker by Indianapolis Ballet: Recommended for ages 5 and up. Nutcracker Sweets: Made for young kids and first-time ballet-goers. 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/).