Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Nutcracker 2025
2025-12-21 13:00, 2025-12-21 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St, Santa Cruz County, CA, 95060, United States
Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Nutcracker 2025
Saturday, December 20 & Sunday December 21, 1pm & 4:30pm
December 20 and 21 at 1pm and 4:30pm

Experience Santa Cruz’s most spectacular holiday tradition with Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s production of The Nutcracker, taking place at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, who will be gracing the stage in a special performance. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Lucien brings his world-class talent back to his hometown for a production not to be missed.
The show is directed by Melanie Useldinger and Conrad Useldinger and they’re excited to share their incredible Nutcracker with you. Join us for two days of magic and wonder as Clara embarks on a dreamlike journey filled with dazzling costumes, enchanting choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
Performances are on December 20 and 21 at 1pm and 4:30pm.
Perfect for the whole family, this breathtaking performance will transport you to a world of holiday splendor.
Don’t miss this unforgettable holiday experience!

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

Santa Cruz City's Nutcracker 2025
2025-12-21 13:00, 2025-12-21 16:30 | Cabrillo Crocker Theatre, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Santa Cruz City’s Nutcracker 2025
Saturday & Sunday, 1pm & 4:30pm, December 20 &21
Don’t miss the magic of the Nutcracker with Santa Cruz City Ballet (at the International Academy of Dance)’s performance is sure to WOW as you teleport to the wonderful world of Clara and friends in a twirl of holiday magic. Enjoy the festivities of the Party Scene before delving into the battle between soldiers and mice. Travel to the land of sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy!
There’s something for everyone in this performance, with an all-age cast! We hope to see you there 🙂

Every year, Santa Cruz City Ballet (at the International Academy of Dance) puts on a premier Nutcracker performance at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. And every year, the stage sparkles with the magic of our cast and crew, as dancers from ages 4 to adult light up the stage. This year Nutcracker: Experience the Magic will be happening on December 20th and 21st, 2025. Tickets go on sale in November.
History of the Nutcracker Ballet
The Nutcracker, Russian Shchelkunchik, is a ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The last of his three ballets, it was first performed in December 1892. Every year, we recreate this timeless classic in Santa Cruz with our Nutcracker Performance.
The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. Hoffmann’s story is darker and more troubling than the version that reached the stage; the Imperial Russian Ballet choreographer Marius Petipa chose to follow a light adaptation of the story written by Alexandre Dumas père.
Tickets $55 – $65
