We found five Nutcrackers in and around Lancaster–Harrisburg–Hershey with 2026 dates posted: five ballet company productions. The closest, The Nutcracker by Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy, is in Lancaster. 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 · Sat Nov 28 at 7 p.m. · Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N 6th St4DecFriThe Nutcracker by Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet AcademyBallet company · to Dec 5 · Lancaster Mennonite High School, 2176 Lincoln Hwy. E.5DecSatThe Nutcracker by Pennsylvania Regional BalletBallet company · to Dec 6 · Scottish Rite Theatre, 2701 N. Third St.12DecSatGeorge Balanchine's The NutcrackerBallet company · to Dec 13 · Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts19DecSatGeorge Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Hershey TheatreBallet company · to Dec 20 · Hershey TheatreNothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N 6th St · Reading, PA · about 30 miles away
Good to know: A touring show with live orchestra, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
Lancaster Mennonite High School, 2176 Lincoln Hwy. E. · Lancaster, PA · east side
Scottish Rite Theatre, 2701 N. Third St. · Harrisburg, PA · uptown
Good to know: Every person needs a ticket, including babies on laps.
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts · Harrisburg, PA · downtown
Good to know: CPYB has danced it every year since 1965 and is the only school licensed to perform Balanchine's version.
Hershey Theatre · Hershey, PA
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
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Thanksgiving weekend in Central PAParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
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This week in Central PADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N 6th St: Sat Nov 28. Price: $67.95–$150.85 with fees. The Nutcracker by Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy at Lancaster Mennonite High School, 2176 Lincoln Hwy. E.: Dec 4 – Dec 5. Price: $28 to $44.19. The Nutcracker by Pennsylvania Regional Ballet at Scottish Rite Theatre, 2701 N. Third St.: Dec 5 – Dec 6. Price: $25 to $45 plus a fee. Kids 12 and under pay less. George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: Dec 12 – Dec 13. Price: $30 to $49 plus a $6 fee per ticket. Plus one more on this page.
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.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Central PA that weekend, holiday shows included.
