We found five Nutcrackers in and around San Diego with 2026 dates posted: five ballet company productions. One has a sensory-friendly or relaxed performance. The closest, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, is in San Diego. 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 · Dec 15 at 7 p.m. · Jacobs Music Center, 1245 7th Ave17DecThuThe Nutcracker by Golden State BalletBallet company · to Dec 23 · San Diego Civic Theatre19DecSatThe Nutcracker by City Ballet of San DiegoBallet company · to Dec 23 · California Center for the Arts, Escondido26DecSatThe Nutcracker by World Ballet CompanyBallet company · Sat Dec 26 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. · Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave27DecSunThe 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.
Jacobs Music Center, 1245 7th Ave · San Diego, CA · downtown
Good to know: The national touring production, in town for one stop only.
San Diego Civic Theatre · San Diego, CA · about 1 mile away
California Center for the Arts, Escondido · Escondido, CA · about 30 miles away
Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave · San Diego, CA · downtown
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 30 miles away
Good to know: A touring show with live orchestra, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
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 San DiegoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in San DiegoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in San DiegoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in San DiegoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in San DiegoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in San DiegoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in San DiegoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in San DiegoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in San DiegoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in San DiegoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in San DiegoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with dates
Christmas markets in San DiegoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in San DiegoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in San DiegoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at Jacobs Music Center, 1245 7th Ave: Tue, Dec 15, 2026. Price: Not listed yet; see the ticket page. The Nutcracker by Golden State Ballet at San Diego Civic Theatre: Dec 17 – Dec 23. The Nutcracker by City Ballet of San Diego at California Center for the Arts, Escondido: Dec 19 – Dec 23. The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave: Sat Dec 26. Price: $72.75–$135.75 with fees. Plus one more on this page.
The Nutcracker by Golden State Ballet: The Dec 19 2 p.m. and Dec 22 and 23 1 p.m. matinees are family- and sensory-friendly, with recorded music at lower volume.
It depends on the company. 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 San Diego that weekend, holiday shows included.
