George Balanchine’s
The Nutcracker®
We are thrilled to celebrate the 2026 holiday season with you! There is something truly magical about coming together during the holidays, and we cannot wait to bring CPYB back to this iconic stage for an unforgettable celebration of dance, tradition, and the season. Tickets go on sale October 15, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back to Hershey Theatre!
Whitaker Center:
December 12, 2026 at 1:00PM and 5:00PM
December 13, 2026 at 2:00PM
Hershey Theatre:
December 19, 2026 at 1:00PM and 5:00PM
December 20, 2026 at 2:00PM
Let the Holiday Magic Come to Life with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker!
Whether a holiday tradition or a first-time discovery, ‘The Nutcracker’ is an annual gift every family will want to be part of!
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet has been hosting a Nutcracker performance yearly since 1965. Shortly after starting, CPYB became the only school in the world with the license to perform George Balanchine’s Nutcracker. Since then, ours has been one of the most sought-after Nutcracker performances to attend or participate in. This performance is enjoyable for the whole family.
Performance Length: Act I – 49 min. — Act II – 41 min.
Production Credits
Ballet in two acts, four scenes and prologue
Based on: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816) by E.T.A. Hoffman
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: George Balanchine
Répétiteur: Darla Hoover
Scenery: C. David Higgins, Carlos I. Arditti
Thank you to our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Capital Blue Cross
Season Underwriter
F&M Trust
Fostering a Love of Ballet Begins Here
Our Children’s Division is for 3 Year Olds and Up.
Enrolling your child in a ballet class helps them build confidence, creativity and coordination and provides great exercise.
Watch your child’s focus, thoughtfulness, and imagination grow with ballet. At Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, children learn coordination, ballet vocabulary, and respect for all in a progressive sequence based on their development.