We found five Nutcrackers in and around Phoenix with 2026 dates posted: four ballet company productions and one shorter kids’ version. One has a sensory-friendly or relaxed performance. The closest, The Nutcracker by Phoenix Ballet, is in Phoenix. 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 6 · Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.11DecFriThe Nutcracker by Ballet ArizonaBallet company · to Dec 27 · Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St.12DecSatThe Nutcracker by Ballet EtudesBallet company · to Dec 20 · Mesa Arts Center12DecSatThe Nutcracker by Phoenix BalletBallet company · to Dec 20 · Herberger Theater (Dec 12–13) and Arizona Financial Theatre (Dec 18–20)16DecWedThe Nutcracker, Act II (sensory-adapted)Kids’ version · Wednesday, Dec 16 at 1 p.m. · Symphony HallNothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. · Chandler, AZ · about 22 miles away
Good to know: Ballet Etudes marks its 40th Nutcracker with these Chandler shows before moving to Mesa Arts Center later in December. Expect big costumed mice and the snow scene.
Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St. · Phoenix, AZ · about 1 mile away
Good to know: Live music at the regular shows.
Mesa Arts Center · Mesa, AZ · about 17 miles away
Good to know: The company's 40th year of Nutcracker. It also plays Chandler Nov 27 to Dec 6.
Herberger Theater (Dec 12–13) and Arizona Financial Theatre (Dec 18–20) · Phoenix, AZ · downtown
Good to know: Danced with students from Master Ballet Academy. The Sunday 11am show on Dec 20 is the family performance.
Symphony Hall · Phoenix, AZ · about 1 mile away
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 PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PhoenixFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in PhoenixFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in PhoenixIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PhoenixBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PhoenixHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in PhoenixParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in PhoenixKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in PhoenixParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PhoenixPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with dates
Christmas markets in PhoenixChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in PhoenixWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhoenixStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in PhoenixDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
The Nutcracker by Ballet Etudes (Chandler) at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.: Next: Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29, Fri Dec 4 and 2 more. Price: $42.50 all-in. The Nutcracker by Ballet Arizona at Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St.: Dec 11 – Dec 27. The Nutcracker by Ballet Etudes at Mesa Arts Center: Dec 12 – Dec 20. The Nutcracker by Phoenix Ballet at Herberger Theater (Dec 12–13) and Arizona Financial Theatre (Dec 18–20): Next: Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13, Fri Dec 18, Sat Dec 19 and 1 more. Price: See the Etix or Ticketmaster link for each venue. Plus one more on this page.
The Nutcracker, Act II (sensory-adapted): Only Act II, with softer recorded music and lights, quiet spaces, fidgets and a smaller crowd.
The Nutcracker, Act II (sensory-adapted) at Symphony Hall: Wed, Dec 16, 2026.
It depends on the company. The Nutcracker by Phoenix Ballet: Recommended for ages 4 and up. 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 Phoenix that weekend, holiday shows included.
