Royal Winnipeg Ballet's The Nutcracker

Ballet BC brings Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet back to Vancouver with its full-length Nutcracker, giving the city a second major production of the ballet in December 2026. This version, choreographed by Nina Menon and Galina Yordanova, opens at a Christmas Eve party where Clara is given a hand-carved nutcracker. At night the toy comes to life to fight the Mouse King, and Clara is swept through a snowy pine forest into the Sugar Plum Fairy's kingdom, where dancers from many lands welcome her before she wakes at home. It is set to Tchaikovsky's familiar score. There are seven performances over five days at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, with early-evening 6:30 PM curtains on weeknights and 1:30 PM matinees on the weekend that suit younger children. It runs the week before Goh Ballet's production, so families can choose whichever dates fit. Ballet BC says balletbc.com is the only authorized ticket seller, so avoid resale listings. Allow time for downtown traffic and parking, or take transit to Stadium-Chinatown.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet's The Nutcracker: dates and details

• When: December 9 to 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm; December 12 and 13 at 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
• Cost: See Ballet BC, the authorized seller
• Official site: balletbc.com

Dates, hours and prices can change, so check the official site before you go. For more festive outings, see our Christmas events in Vancouver guide and the list of Christmas tree lightings.