The Nutcracker with the Fairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet
The Nutcracker with the Fairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet is a full-scale holiday ballet production presented at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, uniting the Fairfax Ballet Company with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra under one roof. What makes this performance stand out in the Washington metro region is its live musical accompaniment: Tchaikovsky’s complete score is played by a full orchestra while the ballet dancers perform onstage. The production includes all the beloved elements of the classic tale, from dancing Snowflakes and Candy Canes to a Ginger Bread House, heroic Toy Soldiers battling Mischievous Mice, and appearances by the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince. It is positioned as a festive, family-friendly treat for the holiday season.
The performance runs on two consecutive afternoons in December 2026, with both shows beginning at 4 p.m. The artistic leadership is shared between conductor Christopher Zimmerman of the Fairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet Artistic Director Andrea Cook. Individual tickets for the 2026–27 season are noted as on sale, and the venue encourages purchasing tickets for three or more eligible performances to subscribe and save 15%.
When: Saturday, December 19, 2026, and Sunday, December 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. each day.
Showtimes: 4:00 p.m. on both performance dates.
Tickets: Ticket prices are not listed on the page; individual tickets are on sale for the 2026–27 season. Subscribers who choose three or more eligible performances can save 15%.
Lineup: Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Christopher Zimmerman; Fairfax Ballet, under Artistic Director Andrea Cook.
Run time: Not specified in the available information.
Ages: No age restriction is mentioned; the performance is described as a treat for the entire family.
Venue: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall, George Mason University Fairfax Campus.
Note: This production is highlighted as unique in the Washington metro region because the ballet is accompanied live by a full orchestra rather than recorded music.