Holiday Ballet Watchlist: The Nutcracker

The quiet stretch at the end of December has a rhythm of its own. The big gatherings are over, the calendar loosens its grip, and suddenly there are long, unstructured hours, perfect for rest, reflection, and a little indulgence. It’s an ideal time to curl up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and something beautiful to watch. This holiday season, I'm offering you a Holiday Ballet Watchlist: a guided invitation to spend these slower days enjoying some of the most prominent and beloved classical ballets, whether you’re discovering them for the first time or returning to old favorites.

We’ll begin, as so many holiday traditions do, with The Nutcracker, a ballet that has become nearly synonymous with winter itself.  Here is a full-length production by the New York City Ballet.

The Nutcracker premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The score was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose music -- sparkling, emotional, and instantly recognizable -- has helped make the ballet endure for more than a century. The original choreography was created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, two of the most influential ballet masters of the 19th century, though it was Ivanov who choreographed much of what audiences recognize today, particularly the snow and dream sequences.

While the ballet was not an immediate success in Russia, it found new life in the United States. A pivotal moment came in 1944, when San Francisco Ballet presented the first full American production of The Nutcracker. That production helped ignite the ballet’s popularity in the U.S., eventually transforming it into the seasonal cornerstone it is today for companies across the country.

At its heart, The Nutcracker is a dreamlike holiday tale. The ballet follows young Clara (sometimes called Marie), who receives a nutcracker doll at a festive Christmas Eve party. That night, as the house falls quiet, the nutcracker comes to life, leading Clara into a magical world where toys battle mice and snowflakes swirl through a winter forest. Together, Clara and the transformed Nutcracker Prince travel to the Land of Sweets, where they are entertained by dazzling dances from around the world before the dream gently fades.

Consider this your invitation to slow down, press play, and let the classics keep you company during the quietest and coziest days of the year.