Verified Christmas event · Escondido, CA
City Ballet's The Nutcracker 2026
City Ballet of San Diego's full-length Nutcracker with a live orchestra, six performances in Escondido the week before Christmas.
- Verified by the organizer
- Dec 19 to 23
- Ages 5 and up
- From $42
Tickets are sold by the California Center for the Arts box office. Rally Takes the Train doesn't sell tickets or take a cut.
VerifiedCity Ballet's The Nutcracker
Hosted by City Ballet of San Diego.
- Saturday, December 19 to Wednesday, December 23, 2026Matinees at 2 pm; evening shows at 7:30 pm on December 19 and 22
- California Center for the Arts, EscondidoConcert Hall, 340 N Escondido Blvd
- From $42Up to $142.80, depending on the seat
- Recommended for ages 5 and upAbout two hours long
About this event
City Ballet of San Diego performs its full-length Nutcracker in the Concert Hall at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Clara and more than 100 storybook characters dance to Tchaikovsky's score, played live by the City Ballet Orchestra with John Nettles conducting.
There are six performances from December 19 to 23: four matinees at 2 pm and two evening shows at 7:30 pm. Each show runs about two hours, and doors open one hour before curtain. City Ballet recommends it for ages 5 and up.
Parent tip: For a first ballet, pick a 2 pm matinee: the show ends around 4 pm, well before bedtime. Doors open an hour early, which gives time for a restroom stop before the curtain.
What kids can do
On site
- Parking
- Free lot
- Setting
- Indoors, Concert Hall
- Doors open
- 1 hour before each show
- Running time
- About 2 hours
- Tickets
- Box office, all sales final
- Public transit
- Nearby, says the organizer
- Expected crowd
- About 1,000 per show
- Verified
- By the organizer,
Dates
- Saturday, December 19, 20262 pm and 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 20, 20262 pm
- Tuesday, December 22, 20262 pm and 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, December 23, 20262 pm
Matinees run 2 to 4 pm and evening shows 7:30 to 9:30 pm, as listed by City Ballet. There is no show on Monday, December 21.
Prices
| Orchestra and Mezzanine, from | $42 |
|---|---|
| Parterre, from | $85.20 |
| Highest seat price | $142.80 |
Prices are from the California Center for the Arts box office on November 13, 2026, and depend on the seat. All sales are final. Tickets are sold through the box office; City Ballet's page links to it.
Where it is
- California Center for the Arts, Escondido
340 N Escondido Blvd
Escondido, CA 92025
Directions to California Center for the Arts, Escondido (opens in a new tab)
Performances are in the Concert Hall. The organizer reports a free parking lot, restrooms, changing stations, stroller-friendly spaces and accessible seating.
Good to know
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Accessible paths and seating
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible parking
- Mostly paved, level ground
On stage
- City Ballet of San Diego
- City Ballet Orchestra
Questions
When is City Ballet's The Nutcracker in 2026?
Saturday, December 19 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 20 at 2 pm; Tuesday, December 22 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Wednesday, December 23 at 2 pm.
Where is it?
The Concert Hall at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025.
How much are tickets?
Seats start at $42 and go up to $142.80, depending on the section and seat. Buy them through the California Center for the Arts box office, linked from City Ballet's page.
What age is it for?
City Ballet recommends it for ages 5 and up.
How long is the show?
About two hours. Matinees run 2 to 4 pm and evening shows 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Is the music live?
Yes. The City Ballet Orchestra plays Tchaikovsky's score live, with John Nettles conducting.
Verified by City Ballet of San Diego
The details on this page came from the organizer on November 13, 2026, and the organizer has committed to providing safe Christmas magic for kids. How verification works
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