The 2013 Nutcracker Ballet in Dallas-Fort Worth

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nutcracker

My daughter and I’s annual holiday tradition of attending The Nutcracker is something we both treasure. If this holiday season is like most, I’ll be last-minute gift shopping; however, I’ll have our Nutcracker tickets purchased and a little pre-performance party planned in advance. Spending quality time with the ones I love is my “love language.” When that quality time involves music, beauty, a dressy outfit, and delicious food? I’m as joyful and festive as I can be.

We started attending the Nutcracker when my oldest daughter was three. Every year, we do some variety of the following:

  • We read the story.
  • We buy something special to wear.
  • We listen to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker music while we bake something yummy.
  • We invite friends over for hot chocolate and sweets.

The first time I saw the Nutcracker, while I loved the music and thought it festive and beautiful, I was a little confused by the story line, I have to admit. Reading the story helped us to enjoy the ballet more, because we understood the big picture going into it. As a three-year-old, my daughter was spooked by the Rat King. Reading the story beforehand helped, because she knew the Nutcracker Prince would ultimately beat the big ugly rat. There are several nice children’s picture books that tell the story. We like this one.

The Land of Sweets is great inspiration for those who love to bake, as I do. Hot (Spanish) Chocolate is a pre-performance must. We’ve made homemade sugar plums, in honor of the Sugar Plum Fairy. We’ve baked candy cane cookies in honor of the Russian candy cane acrobats (my favorite!) This year I’m thinking we’ll do something with ginger for Mother Ginger and her children. Going out for a special tea party is another fun option.

Below is a list of 2013 Nutcracker performances around the metroplex.

There are at least seventeen that I know of. To keep it simple, I’ve listed them by date and location, with links to the performing companies for more info. ‘Tis not the season yet…but ’twill be before you know it! Put a date on the calendar now and treat you and your little sweeties to this fun, festive tradition.

Nov. 15-17

SMU McFarlin Auditorium

Dallas

The Moscow Ballet 

Nov. 22-23

Will Rogers Auditorium

Fort Worth

Ballet Frontier of Texas

Nov. 29- Dec. 1

Eisemann Center

Richardson

Chamberlain Performing Arts

Nov. 30- Dec. 1

Marcus High School

Flower Mound

Lake Cities Ballet Theatre

Nov. 29- Dec. 8

Winspear Opera House

Dallas

Texas Ballet Theater

Nov. 29-Dec. 22

Kathy Burks Theatre of Puppetry Arts

Dallas

Dallas Children’s Theater

Dec. 6-8

Granville Arts Center

Garland

Dallas Ballet Company

Dec. 7-8

Irving Arts Center

Irving

Ballet Ensemble of Texas

Dec. 7-8

Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium

Fort Worth

North Central Ballet

Dec. 7-8 

Eisemann Center

Richardson

Royale Ballet Dance Academy

Dec. 13-27

Bass Performance Hall

Fort Worth

Texas Ballet Theater

Dec. 13-15

Margo Jones Performance Hall, Texas Woman’s University

Denton

Festival Ballet of North Texas

Dec. 14-15

Irving Arts Center

Irving

Marina Almayeva School of Classical Ballet

Dec. 15

Garland High School

Garland

Rowlett Dance Academy

Dec. 21-22

Ed Landreth Hall

Fort Worth

Art Ballet Academy

Dec. 21-22

Allen High School Performing Arts Center

Allen

Allen Civic Ballet

Dec. 21-22

Eisemann Center

Richardson

Tuzer Ballet

Dec. 23-24

Eisemann Center

Richardson

Collin County Ballet Theatre

If you know of other performances around town, please add them in the comments.

Is the Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition? What special ways do you celebrate it? 

3 COMMENTS

  1. What a lovely tradition! I love your ideas for enhancing the experience. I’m thinking about taking my family this year, but am curious if you know whether any of these performances feature live music? I took my mom and sister to see the Texas Ballet Co. performance in Dallas several years ago, and it was absolutely beautiful, but we were so disappointed that they had canned music.

    • Laurie, I missed your comment, I’m sorry it’s taken me a LONG while to respond. I really don’t know which performances have live music. You would have to contact the companies directly to get the specifics. This year, my daughter and I saw the Texas Ballet Theater performance at the Winspear, and while it was beautiful, live music was not part of it.

  2. The Nutcracker is one my all time favorite ballets to see. It’s just a timeless classic that should be seen every year around the holidays. Thanks for sharing your post!

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