The Nutcracker

The Washington Ballet returns to the Warner Theatre for the 2026 holiday season with its beloved production of *The Nutcracker*, choreographed by Septime Webre and set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. This year’s staging celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with a distinctly American twist: George Washington and King George III face off in a reimagined battle between the heroic Nutcracker and a regal Rat King, while the story unfolds in 1882 Georgetown. The production features a soaring Bald Eagle, dancing dolls representing Lady Liberty and John Paul Jones, and a journey through cherry-blossom springtime, all culminating in the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier’s grand pas de deux. Running approximately two hours, the performance offers a vibrant, history-infused holiday tradition for audiences of all ages.

Venue: Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004; phone 202.783.4000.

When: Saturday, November 28 through Sunday, December 27, 2026. Performances are scheduled on select dates throughout the run: Saturdays and Sundays (with matinee and evening options), plus Tuesday through Friday evenings, and special Christmas Eve showtimes (11:00 AM and 4:00 PM on December 24). No performance on December 25.

Showtimes: Evening performances generally begin at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM on December 22, 23, and select Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM). Weekend matinees start at 1:00 PM (Sundays) and 2:00 PM (Saturdays). Christmas Eve offers an 11:00 AM matinee and a 4:00 PM evening show.

Run time: Approximately 2 hours.

Lineup: Choreography by Septime Webre; music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The Washington Ballet performs, with roles including Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Drosselmeyer, the Rat King, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and her Cavalier, along with a full ensemble of toy soldiers, mice, butterflies, mushrooms, cherry blossoms, and other characters.

Tickets: Individual ticket prices are not listed in the provided information. For groups of 10 or more, per-seat pricing (before group discount) varies by performance time and seating level. Prices are organized into five levels (Level 1 highest, Level 5 lowest). Saturday matinee prices per seat: Level 1 $180, Level 2 $150, Level 3 $121, Level 4 $93, Level 5 $61. Saturday evening prices: Level 1 $170, Level 2 $140, Level 3 $111, Level 4 $83, Level 5 $51. Sunday matinee prices match Saturday matinee levels. Sunday evening prices: Level 1 $159, Level 2 $129, Level 3 $99, Level 4 $79, Level 5 $49. Tuesday and Wednesday evening prices: Level 1 $159, Level 2 $129, Level 3 $99, Level 4 $79, Level 5 $49. Thursday evening prices: Level 1 $170, Level 2 $140, Level 3 $111, Level 4 $83, Level 5 $51. Friday and select other evening prices match Sunday evening levels. Group discounts apply to parties of 10 or more: 10% off for 10–15 people, 15% off for 15–20 people, and 20% off for 20+ people. A 15% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve group tickets, and full payment is due two weeks before the performance. Flexible payment plans are available.

Ages: Suitable for all ages; no specific age restriction is mentioned. The Washington School of Ballet’s training programs start at age 3.5, but the performance itself is family-friendly.

Note: The production is set in 1882 Georgetown and incorporates American history motifs tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. A synopsis describes Clara’s dream sequence, the battle with the Rat King, and a journey through enchanted winter to a springtime celebration featuring dances from various cultures, including Spanish, Chinese, and frontier-themed numbers. The Washington Ballet has presented *The Nutcracker* since 1961; the current all-American version premiered in 2004.