The Nutcracker 2026Rochester · The Flower City

The Nutcracker with kids in Rochester, 2026.

We found four Nutcrackers in and around Rochester with 2026 dates posted: four ballet company productions. The closest, The Nutcracker by Rochester City Ballet with the Rochester Philharmonic, is in Rochester. Each card has the run time, the youngest age the company allows and the ticket price as posted.

The quick answersChecked
Is there a sensory-friendly show?None posted near here for 2026 yet.Not yetIs there a shorter kids’ version?None posted near here yet. Check each card’s run time.Not yet

Last checked · 4 shows · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every Nutcracker, by opening date

Tap a show for run time, ages, prices and any sensory-friendly performance.

25NovWedThe Nutcracker by Rochester City Ballet with the Rochester PhilharmonicBallet company · to Nov 29 · Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre4DecFriRochester City Ballet's Nutcracker in CanandaiguaBallet company · to Dec 6 · Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave.10DecThuNutcracker! Magical Christmas BalletBallet company · Dec 10 at 7 p.m. · West Herr Auditorium Theatre at West Herr Performing Arts Center, 885 E Main St26DecSatThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Sat Dec 26 at 7 p.m. · Historic Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave

Shows

Nutcracker shows near Rochester

Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.

Nov25to 29

The Nutcracker by Rochester City Ballet with the Rochester Philharmonic

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre · Rochester, NY · downtown

Ballet company
Times
Nov 25 at 7 p.m.; Nov 27 and 28 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Nov 29 at 2 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: Characters in costume meet families in the orchestra lobby from 6:15 p.m. before the Nov 25 and Nov 27 evening shows.

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Dec4to 6

Rochester City Ballet's Nutcracker in Canandaigua

Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave. · Canandaigua, NY · about 30 miles from Rochester

Ballet company
Times
Fri Dec 4 at 6 p.m.; Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6 at 2 and 6 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed

Good to know: The company's professional dancers with local youth performers. These shows usually sell out, and ThunderTix is the only official seller.

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Dec10Thu

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

West Herr Auditorium Theatre at West Herr Performing Arts Center, 885 E Main St · Rochester, NY · East Main Street

Ballet company
Times
Dec 10 at 7 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Not listed
Price
Not listed yet; see the ticket page

Good to know: The national touring production, in town for one stop only.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec26Sat

The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company

Historic Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave · Lockport, NY · about 55 miles away

Ballet company
Times
Sat Dec 26 at 7 p.m.
Run time
Not listed
Ages
Ages 2 and up only
Price
$44–$89 with fees

Good to know: A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

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Before you go

Making the ballet work with little ones

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

More for little kids in Rochester

November: things to do in RochesterEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in RochesterEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in RochesterFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in RochesterIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in RochesterBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in RochesterHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in RochesterParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in RochesterKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in RochesterParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in RochesterPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesChristmas markets in RochesterChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in RochesterWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in RochesterDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

The Nutcracker in Rochester: the FAQ

The Nutcracker by Rochester City Ballet with the Rochester Philharmonic at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre: Nov 25 – Nov 29. Rochester City Ballet's Nutcracker in Canandaigua at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave.: Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at West Herr Auditorium Theatre at West Herr Performing Arts Center, 885 E Main St: Thu, Dec 10, 2026. Price: Not listed yet; see the ticket page. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Historic Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave: Sat Dec 26. Price: $44–$89 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 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.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Rochester that weekend, holiday shows included.

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