We found three Nutcrackers in and around Sarasota–Bradenton with 2026 dates posted: two ballet company productions and one touring show. The closest, The Nutcracker by The Sarasota Ballet, is in Sarasota. 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 21 · Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.22DecTueThe Nutcracker by International Ballet of FloridaBallet company · Dec 22 at 2 and 6 p.m. · Manatee Performing Arts Center29DecTueNutcracker! Magical Christmas BalletTouring show · Dec 29 at 3 and 7 p.m. · Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami TrailNothing matches that filter yet.
Shows
Dates, run times, ages and prices come from each ballet company’s or theater’s own page.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. · Sarasota, FL · downtown
Good to know: More than 100 students from the ballet school dance with the Studio Company, with live music from the Sarasota Music Conservatory.
Manatee Performing Arts Center · Bradenton, FL · downtown
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail · Sarasota, FL · bayfront
Good to know: A touring show with acrobats and giant puppets.
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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The Nutcracker by The Sarasota Ballet at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.: Dec 20 – Dec 21. Price: $40 to $95. The Nutcracker by International Ballet of Florida at Manatee Performing Arts Center: Tue, Dec 22, 2026. Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail: Tue, Dec 29, 2026. Price: $50 to $209, fees included.
Not one we could confirm on an official page for 2026. We add one as soon as a company posts it.
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 Sarasota that weekend, holiday shows included.
