# The Nutcracker with kids in San Diego, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 5 Nutcracker shows with 2026 dates
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## Nutcracker shows

- **Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet** at Jacobs Music Center, 1245 7th Ave, San Diego, CA · downtown. When: Tue, Dec 15, 2026. Time: Dec 15 at 7 p.m. Price: Not listed yet; see the ticket page. Type: Ballet company. The national touring production, in town for one stop only. Official page: https://nutcracker.com/buy-tickets/san-diego-ca/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by Golden State Ballet** at San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA · about 1 mile away. When: Dec 17 – Dec 23. Time: Dec 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec 19 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec 20, 22 and 23 at 1 and 5:30 p.m. Type: Ballet company. Sensory-friendly: 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. Official page: https://www.goldenstateballet.org/nutcracker (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by City Ballet of San Diego** at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Escondido, CA · about 30 miles away. When: Dec 19 – Dec 23. Time: Dec 19 and 22 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec 20 and 23 at 2 p.m. Type: Ballet company. Official page: https://cityballet.org/performances/the-nutcracker/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company** at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA · downtown. When: Sat Dec 26. Time: Sat Dec 26 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Price: $72.75–$135.75 with fees. Ages: Ages 2 and up only. Type: Ballet company. A touring show, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. Official page: https://worldballetcompany.com/event/balboa-theatre-3/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company** at California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA · about 30 miles away. When: Sun Dec 27. Time: Sun Dec 27 at 6 p.m. Price: $82.80–$166.80 with fees. Ages: Ages 2 and up only. Type: Ballet company. A touring show with live orchestra, about 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. Official page: https://worldballetcompany.com/event/california-center-for-the-arts/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### Where can kids see The Nutcracker in San Diego in 2026?
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.

### Is there a sensory-friendly Nutcracker near San Diego?
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.

### How old should kids be for The Nutcracker?
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.

### How do you check these Nutcracker shows?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).