The Nutcracker - Semperoper Dresden

Name: The Nutcracker - Semperoper Dresden
Start: 2026-11-30T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-12-23T14:00:00+01:00
Location: Semperoper Dresden

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 — Wed, 23 Dec · 19:00

Semperoper Dresden, Germany

ballet date culture

The Nutcracker - Semperoper Dresden — Semperoper Dresden, Dresden

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Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet "The Nutcracker" comes to the Semperoper in Dresden. One of the most cherished works in the ballet repertoire, it brings together enchanting choreography and iconic music in one of Germany's most celebrated opera houses.

Der Nussknacker — also plays in other cities (41)

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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: Semperoper Dresden

The Semperoper Dresden is one of the most celebrated opera houses in the world, located on Theaterplatz in the heart of Dresden. Designed by architect Gottfried Semper, the original building opened in 1841; the current structure dates from 1878 and was meticulously reconstructed after World War II, reopening in 1985. It is the home of the Sächsische Staatsoper and the renowned Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra.

Semperoper Dresden, Dresden Get directions

The Nutcracker - Semperoper Dresden

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