The Nutcracker

George Balanchine’s gorgeous choreography set to Tchaikovksy’s iconic score is a holiday institution, both in New York and around the country. New York City Ballet’s annual production is the gold standard production, and families go back year after year for the lavish costumes, elaborate scenery and fairy-tale story. A cast of 90 professional dancers and alternating troupes of 50 young student dancers perform nightly at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, bringing the magical Kingdom of the Sugarplum Fairy, with its fantastical cast of characters, to life.

For tickets and information, visit the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker website.