The Nutcracker - Staatsoper Hamburg

Name: The Nutcracker - Staatsoper Hamburg
Start: 2026-12-16T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-12-17T19:30:00+01:00
Location: Hamburgische Staatsoper

Wed, 16 Dec 2026 — Thu, 17 Dec · 19:30

Hamburgische Staatsoper, Germany

ballet date culture

The Nutcracker - Staatsoper Hamburg — Hamburgische Staatsoper, Hamburg

Foto: Photo: Andreas Praefcke · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Der Nussknacker brings the classical ballet "The Nutcracker" to Hamburgische Staatsoper on Wednesday, 16 December 2026 at 19:30. This is one of nine German dates on the tour. Hamburgische Staatsoper ranks among the world's most prestigious opera houses and is the oldest continuously operating opera house in German-speaking countries, with roots reaching back to 1678. The current building, opened in 1955, provides an ideal stage for this beloved ballet. The Hamburg performance marks a significant stop on the German tour.

Der Nussknacker — also plays in other cities (31)

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About: Der Nussknacker

Tchaikovsky's 1892 Christmas ballet follows young Clara through a dream world of warring toys and dancing sweets, set to one of the most recognizable scores in classical music - from the March and Waltz of the Snowflakes to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

most frequently performed ballet in the world

~40%

share of annual ticket revenue for large US ballet companies

$84M+

US Nutcracker ticket revenue in 2024 (large companies, per Dance/USA)

+18%

US attendance growth 2022-2024 (large companies, per Dance/USA)

What's new

dec 2025
Tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre's December 2025 Nutcracker run sold out within two hours of going on sale, prompting the theatre to introduce an auction system and named e-tickets to combat scalpers.
dec 2025
According to Dance/USA data reported in December 2025, US Nutcracker ticket revenue for large ballet companies rose from $57M to over $84M between 2022 and 2024, with attendance up 18%.
2026
The Grand Classic Ballet toured The Nutcracker across dozens of German cities from January 2026, including Oberhausen, Munich, Stuttgart, Bochum, Magdeburg, Berlin and Bonn.

Tour

LeipzigHamburgBerlinMünchenStuttgartOberhausenBochumHagenMainzMagdeburgWeimarDuisburgIngolstadtBremenBonnRadolfzell

Tracks

Tanz der Zuckerfee (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy)Act II centrepiece, featuring the celesta - one of the most recognized pieces in classical music

Blumenwalzer (Waltz of the Flowers)Grand Act II divertissement, a staple of concert programmes worldwide

Schneeflockenwalzer (Waltz of the Snowflakes)Act I finale, iconic corps de ballet set piece

Marsch (March)Opening Act I number, instantly recognizable holiday theme

Nussknacker-Suite Op. 71aEight-movement orchestral suite compiled by Tchaikovsky before the ballet's premiere; featured in Disney's Fantasia (1940)

About the venue: Hamburgische Staatsoper

The Hamburgische Staatsoper is one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world and the oldest standing opera house in German-speaking countries, with origins dating back to 1678. Located in the heart of Hamburg, the current building was inaugurated in 1955 after the original was destroyed in World War II. It is home to the Hamburg Ballet and hosts a rich programme of opera and ballet performances throughout the season.

Hamburgische Staatsoper, Hamburg Get directions

The Nutcracker - Staatsoper Hamburg

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