The Nutcracker NYC Ballet Tickets, New York, NY

David H Koch Theater20 Lincoln Center PlazaNew York, NY 10023
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Total Price: $125.46 (USD)
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About New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker

Overview

Enjoy George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center this holiday season! The captivating New York City Nutcracker ballet tells the tale of a girl who finds herself thrust into a magical world full of toy soldiers and cunning mice. Experience Tchaikovsky's alluring music, excellent choreography, lavish costumes and breathtaking sets.

up to 2 hrs

Good To Know

  • The most popular ballet performance in New York and the perfect NYC Christmas experience.
  • Performed at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
  • Features George Balanchine's iconic choreography and a full orchestra.
  • Presented by two alternating casts from the School of American Ballet, with sensational sets and costumes.
  • Runs approximately 2 hours with one intermission.
  • Family-friendly and recommended for ages 5 and older.
  • Doors open 45 minutes before show time.
  • No recording devices are allowed, including still cameras.
  • Some sections of the theater are not wheelchair accessible.
  • Options for assistive listening, audio description, and closed captions on personal devices are available.

Description

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker draws you into Clara's world as toy soldiers march, snowflakes swirl, and Tchaikovsky's score fills the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. With 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands, and more than 125 children from the School of American Ballet contributing across alternating casts, the scale of this New York City Ballet holiday tradition becomes clear from the moment the curtain rises.

Follow Clara's journey from the spirited battle scene to the Land of Sweets, where each variation highlights New York City Ballet's signature style. As a member of The Broadway Collection, the production reflects the artistic standard associated with New York's premier stage experiences. The Sugarplum Fairy's refined phrasing, the energetic Candy Cane solo, and the shimmering Snowflake ensemble showcase why this staging remains one of the most recognized holiday performances in New York.

The artistry extends beyond movement. Tchaikovsky's music, Balanchine's iconic choreography, Karinska's richly detailed costumes, and Rouben Ter-Arutunian's imaginative sets work together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Families and travelers gather each year to enjoy a production that has become a seasonal favorite among those exploring Christmas shows and winter activities in NYC.

The performance runs approximately two hours with one intermission and welcomes ages 5 and up, making it a comfortable addition to a full day around Lincoln Center, Central Park, or the Upper West Side. The show's limited holiday run and longstanding popularity often lead to heightened demand, so securing preferred dates early helps ensure a smooth part of your New York City holiday plans.

Please Note: Seats are assigned best available at the time of purchase in the section selected. Please note the exact seat location given at checkout can change after the booking is placed based on availability at the time the purchase is made.

New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker Reviews

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montanam240
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Holiday Memory We’ll Never Forget"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed December 02, 2025 NEW
We visited NYC from Montana over Thanksgiving weekend and decided to splurge on tickets to the Saturday matinee of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker on November 29th. I’ll be honest at nearly $300 a seat for our family of four, we were hesitant. But having never seen this holiday tradition in New York, we didn’t want to miss the chance. It was worth it. The sets, costume, music and dancers were absolutely incredible truly breathtaking from start to finish. Our teenage daughter was completely starstruck seeing Dominika from Disney+’s On Pointe, who stood out as ‘Flower ‘with flawless technique, a hugel smile and presence. Surprisingly, the real magic for all of us came from the children. We had no idea how prominently the young dancers feature in this production (apparently they’re all students from the School of American Ballet.) They were nothing short of spectacular. The young Princess ‘Marie’ and Prince had big solos delivered with amazing stage presence for such young kids . They didn’t do much dancing but captivated the entire audience with that special something ,there were gasps of delight everywhere, and even mutters of “excellent” from seasoned pros and long-time patrons around us. It was a truly unforgettable experience for our whole family and one of the highlights of our trip. If you’re debating whether it’s worth the price just go. You won’t regret it.
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Potomac_11
Potomac, Montgomery County, Maryland
"Wonderful experience"
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed June 23, 2025
This was our first time seeing the New York City Ballet at beautiful Lincoln Center. We have not seen many ballets anywhere except The Nutcracker. We thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the choreography, and the dancing.
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seanworc
New York City, New York
"World Class Ballet"
TripAdvisor user rating 4.0 out of 5
Reviewed February 01, 2025
A big fan of the NYC Ballet company. It is one of the premier dance companies in the world. Over the years, I have seen many performances. The company rarely disappoints. Last night, I saw three ballets: one by Wheeldon, one by Balanchine, and one by Peck. Stunning dancing and a visual delight. Please go if you have the chance. At Lincoln Center. David Koch Theater.
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Quest13486160352
Houston, Texas
"Nutcracker Performance "
TripAdvisor user rating 5.0 out of 5
Reviewed January 01, 2025
The Nutcracker was absolutely amazing! Seeing this in person was a must do! The venue was amazing and very organized. The bathroom line was terrible. The seats C107 & C108 were the best in house if you ask me. Definitely do this if you come to NYC.
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tanyasV9860DG
"Why people sitting in outwear and hats during the performance????"
TripAdvisor user rating 1.0 out of 5
Reviewed December 28, 2024
It’s a shame that the theater allow people sit in outwear, coat, hats during the performance!!!! It’s a shame and disrespect towards the ballet group!!! I watch ballet all over the world and New York Lincoln center - the first place where I see people coming to Nutcracker in trainers, sportswear…. Jesus! You should prohibit it and make these rules officially….The most disgusting attitude toward the art of ballet that I have ever seen. Come and visit Moscow, Paris… and see how everything should be organised
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Frequently Asked Questions about New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker

Where is The Nutcracker ballet performed?

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is performed at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, located at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023.

How long is The Nutcracker ballet?

The Nutcracker ballet runs approximately 2 hours with one intermission.

Is the Lincoln Center - Koch Theater accessible?

Wheelchair locations are available in some sections of the theater. The theater also houses an accessible bathroom on the same floor and an ADA-compliant elevator. You can also expect to find some services for people with vision or hearing impairments including: (1) ASSISTIVE LISTENING: Amplifies the sound of the production. (2) AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Provides an automated detailed account of the visual of the production, free of charge, for blind or partially sighted patrons. In addition, some theatres provide unlimited access to audio descriptions on personal mobile devices. (3) CLOSED CAPTIONING: Captioning for deaf or hard-of-hearing patrons. In addition, some theatres provide unlimited access to closed captioning on personal mobile devices. These access services are generally provided on-demand and free of charge.

Can I bring my camera to the theater?

No photography or video is allowed in the theater.

When should I arrive for my show?

Theater doors open approximately 45 minutes before showtime. Audience members should arrive at least 30 minutes before the show begins to find their seats, browse the available show merchandise, and settle in before showtime.

Is this show appropriate for children?

Yes. The New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker is recommended for ages 5 and older.

Are concessions available for purchase within the theater?

Yes. Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks are available for purchase. Outside food is not allowed inside the theater.

Are there language subtitles?

Many shows provide real-time translations in several languages on your mobile device. Language Subtitles may be available in ESPAÑOL (Spanish), 日本語 (Japanese), PORTUGUÊS (Portuguese), עברית (Hebrew), 中文 (Simplified Chinese), FRANÇAIS (French), 한국어 (Korean).