Performances
The Columbus Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:30pm | Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2:30pm at The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
The production is a true collaborative spectacle. Audiences join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on their journey into the enchanted Land of Snow, where they’re swept up by dazzling dances of snowflakes and sweets. With breathtaking costumes, enchanting sets, and dynamic direction, the show weaves together technical precision and emotional storytelling.
Adding to the allure is the live orchestra accompaniment and featured singers from the Voices of the Valley choir — a feature not always present in local ballet productions. Under the leadership of a local conductor, the orchestra is composed of musicians selected from the community, including esteemed faculty and talented students from the Schwob School of Music. This collaboration between local dancers, performers, musicians, and vocalists brings a dynamic energy to the performance. It’s no wonder this production remains one of the most cherished and accessible holiday traditions in Columbus.
The Columbus Ballet Presents:
The Nutcracker (School Outreach Performance)
Bringing ballet to every child with our school outreach performance
The Columbus Ballet is committed to making classical dance accessible to all — especially young audiences who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a live performance. Through partnerships with local schools, our dancers present an abbreviated version of The Nutcracker at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. We also take the stage to the classroom by touring local schools and letting students see the characters and costumes from the show. These special outreach performances introduce area students to the beauty and discipline of ballet in a format that is engaging, educational, and age-appropriate.
By working with local schools through the Muscogee County School District and Fort Benning Schools to make ballet accessible to children, The Columbus Ballet helps foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts while breaking down barriers related to cost, transportation, or exposure. For many children, these performances are their first experience with classical music and live theater — moments that can spark imagination and inspire future participation in the arts.
If you are an educator, school, or homeschool family and want to learn more about our School Outreach Performance for The Nutcracker, email us at info@thecolumbusballet.org.
