We found four Nutcrackers in and around Inland Empire with 2026 dates posted: four ballet company productions. The closest, The Nutcracker by Inland Pacific Ballet, is in Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont. 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 20 · Lewis Family Playhouse, Rancho Cucamonga; Bridges Auditorium, Claremont13DecSunThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Sun Dec 13 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. · The Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd18DecFriThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · to Dec 19 · Alex Theatre, 216 N Brand Blvd27DecSunThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Sun Dec 27 at 6 p.m. · California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido BlvdNothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Lewis Family Playhouse, Rancho Cucamonga; Bridges Auditorium, Claremont · Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont, CA
Good to know: More than 80 dancers on stage. Buy Lewis Family Playhouse seats from its box office or the ballet's site.
The Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd · Downey, CA · about 40 miles away
Good to know: A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
Alex Theatre, 216 N Brand Blvd · Glendale, CA · about 55 miles away
Good to know: A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd · Escondido, CA · about 55 miles away
Good to know: A touring show with live orchestra, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
Before 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 Inland EmpireEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Inland EmpireEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Inland EmpireFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Inland EmpireIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Inland EmpireBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in Inland EmpireParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in Inland EmpireParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas markets in Inland EmpireChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in Inland EmpireWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in Inland EmpireDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
The Nutcracker by Inland Pacific Ballet at Lewis Family Playhouse, Rancho Cucamonga; Bridges Auditorium, Claremont: Dec 5 – Dec 20. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at The Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd: Sun Dec 13. Price: $55.75–$111.75 with fees. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Alex Theatre, 216 N Brand Blvd: Fri Dec 18 and Sat Dec 19. Price: $71.65–$179.40 with fees. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd: Sun Dec 27. Price: $82.80–$166.80 with fees.
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 Inland Pacific Ballet: 5 and up. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company: Ages 2 and up only. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company: Ages 2 and up only. 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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Inland Empire that weekend, holiday shows included.
