Ballet Chicago’s celebrated production of The Nutcracker will return this December for two festive engagements: December 12-14 at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture and December 19-21 the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Beloved for its elegance, artistry, and holiday spirit, Ballet Chicago’s Nutcracker – the only annual traditional-style Nutcracker in the city – enchants audiences of all ages across the city.
Tickets are now on sale to both engagements. This year, Ballet Chicago will perform its first ever sensory-friendly Nutcracker at the Harris Theater at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, 12/21. This special program is designed to create a welcoming and inclusive experience for audience members of diverse abilities and special needs.
Ballet Chicago Founder and Artistic Director, Daniel Duell, notes that:
"As a truly Chicago-grown production that has captured large and growing audiences for well over two decades, I am so pleased to be presenting a total of ten shows in two distinguished Chicago venues, including our first sensory-friendly Nutcracker performance on 12/21. We remain deeply committed to community outreach for each engagement, including a special School Matinee at the Athenaeum Center, and Ballet Chicago’s Gift of Dance program at the Harris Theater.”
Tickets for The Nutcracker can be purchased by visiting balletchicago.org/nutcracker. Standard tickets for the Athenaeum Center engagement are $30-$60. Standard tickets for the Harris Theater engagement are $25-$94. Both engagements offer a $30 ticket for Seniors, Veterans, and Students and a $25 ticket for children under the age of 12.
All tickets to the 5:00 p.m. sensory-friendly performance at the Harris on 12/21 are $25. For more information visit balletchicago.org/nutcracker.
Ballet Chicago is grateful to the following sponsors of its 2025 Nutcracker performances.
- American Girl
- Blank/Rome Counselors of Law
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
- Endeavor Health
- Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management and Consulting
- Illinois Arts Council
- USIOL, Inc.
- Wintrust Bank – Annual Season Sponsor
About Ballet Chicago
Ballet Chicago
...where artistic excellence and content of character forge the next generation
Mission:
Ballet Chicago is committed to teaching and sharing classical ballet with the broadest and most diverse audience possible, aiming to foster a lifelong love for the arts while enriching the cultural landscape of Chicago and beyond. Through expert ballet training, high-quality performances, and meaningful community engagement, we strive for artistic excellence with the goal of inspiring generations of dancers and dance lovers.
History and Background:
Founded in 1987 by acclaimed dancer and educator Daniel Duell and former ballerina Patricia Blair, Ballet Chicago is a leading institution for classical ballet training in the Midwest. For over 30 years, it has nurtured thousands of aspiring dancers, many of whom have pursued professional careers with top ballet companies across the nation and around the world. Ballet Chicago maintains a reputation for excellence in both training and performance, while remaining committed to accessibility and inclusion in every aspect of its work.
LISTING INFORMATION
Ballet Chicago’s The Nutcracker
- December 12-14 at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
- December 19-21 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Ballet Chicago presents its beloved and family-friendly production of The Nutcracker, the only annual traditional-style Nutcracker in the city of Chicago. Featuring Dan Duell’s exquisite choreography alongside the timeless “Sugar Plum Pas de Deux” by the legendary George Balanchine, this cherished holiday classic captures the beauty, precision, and spirit of the season. This year’s engagement also includes a special Sensory Friendly Performance designed to welcome audience members of all abilities. Audiences can experience this magical tradition at two of Chicago’s most notable venues, the Athenaeum Center and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
2936 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
Performances:
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12/11/2026 at 10:00 a.m. (School performance)
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12/12/2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/13/2026 at 2:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/13/2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/14/2025 at 2:00 p.m. (Public performance)
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E. Randolph
Chicago, IL, 60601
Performances:
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12/19/2025 at 7:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/20/2025 at 2:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/20/2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/21/2026 at 1:00 p.m. (Public performance)
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12/21/2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Public performance – Sensory-Friendly Performance)
Gift of Dance Program: Ballet Chicago’s Gift of Dance program extends the joy of live ballet beyond the studio by donating free tickets to community partners including the Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Metro Chicago, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, Make-a-Wish Illinois, Ronald McDonald House, Progressive Careers and Housing, KEEN Chicago, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces through VetTix. In 2024, Ballet Chicago donated over 2,000 tickets to its Harris Theater performances. This initiative reflects Ballet Chicago’s deep commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and the belief that the beauty of dance should be shared with everyone.
For tickets and more information visit www.balletchicago.org.