Milwaukee Ballet Brings Holiday Magic to Life with 'The Nutcracker'

Milwaukee Ballet’s beloved holiday tradition returns December 5–26 as Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium takes the stage at Marcus Performing Arts Center. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “one of the grandest Nutcrackers of all,” this imaginative production brings the classic holiday story to life through spectacular storytelling, theatrical magic, and a cast of professional dancers joined by 140 students from Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy.

“The Nutcracker holds a special place in the hearts of many families, and it is a privilege to bring the magic to life each year,” said Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink. “Whether experiencing it for the first time or continuing a cherished holiday tradition, there is something extraordinary in seeing audiences of all ages swept up in the story.”

One of Milwaukee’s most cherished traditions brings together professional artists and the next generation of student dancers from Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy performing alongside the Company, giving young dancers the opportunity to experience the excitement and artistry of a full-scale professional production. For many, performing in The Nutcracker is a memorable milestone in their dance education and a holiday tradition shared with family and friends.

This season’s Nutcracker production will include 17 public performances across four weekends, with several special performances and variations. Select performances will feature live accompaniment by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, bringing the familiar melodies of Tchaikovsky's score to life.

New this season, Milwaukee Ballet introduces My First Ballet: The Nutcracker, a special performance designed to welcome young children and families experiencing ballet for the first time. The full-length performance, presented at an earlier start time on Tuesday, December 22 at 6:00 PM, features an adapted theater environment, including partially raised house lights, open doors, and flexibility for families to move in and out of the theater as needed. A special introduction will familiarize young audiences with the characters and costumes and set the stage for what they will see during the show. Reduced ticket prices and children’s rates further encourage families to experience the magic of live ballet together.

The annual sensory-friendly performance is designed for individuals with sensory-processing sensitivities, those who identify as neurodivergent, or anyone who benefits from an enhanced-accessibility theater experience. The adapted production includes modifications to lighting and sound, flexible audience guidelines, and pre-show opportunities to become familiar with the characters and theater environment. This year’s sensory-friendly performance will offer audio description services for the first time, providing spoken descriptions of visual elements on stage to help patrons who are blind or have low vision experience more of the production.

Beyond the public performances, Milwaukee Ballet will welcome more than 5,000 students from public, private, and homeschool groups across Wisconsin through three special student matinee performances. These educational opportunities introduce young audiences to professional ballet and the magic of live theater, with subsidized or free tickets helping remove financial barriers to participation. The program is supported in part by proceeds from Angel Ornaments sold during The Nutcracker performances.

Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer's Imaginarium premiered in December 2023. This year’s presentation is made possible thanks to Presenting Sponsor BMO, with additional support from Principal Sponsor Foley & Larder LLP, Artistic Sponsor Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Media Partner OnMilwaukee.

Milwaukee Ballet’s 2026/27 Season is presented by Donald & Donna Baumgartner and the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), with support from the Wisconsin Arts Board, CAMPAC, and Milwaukee Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.