The Nutcracker Ballet at the Los Angeles Theatre

Few things say December like Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, and on Saturday, December 12, 2026, The Nutcracker Ballet lands at the Los Angeles Theatre on South Broadway. If you are mapping out things to do in Los Angeles before the holidays, a matinee in one of downtown's grandest movie palaces is an easy pick.

When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, listed at 2:00 PM Where: Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tickets: Through Ticketmaster, see the link below

The theater

The Los Angeles Theatre opened in 1931 and is often called the most lavish of the Broadway theater district's old picture palaces. The cream terracotta facade, the tall vertical sign and the ornate lobby give a night out a sense of occasion before anyone reaches a seat. It is a good setting for a story about a Christmas Eve party, a toy that comes to life and a trip to the Land of Sweets.

What to expect

The listing identifies the show as The Nutcracker Ballet and gives a 2:00 PM start. The source does not name the company, cast or running time, so check the ticket page for those before you go. The ballet itself is familiar: the party scene, the battle with the Mouse King, the snow scene and the divertissements that end in the Sugar Plum Fairy's pas de deux. A two-o'clock curtain makes it workable for families with younger kids, and it suits anyone who wants an afternoon show and a dinner reservation afterward.

If you are comparing holiday ballets, there are other Nutcracker stagings in town this season. This one is the downtown option, with the most history in the walls.

Getting there

Broadway between Sixth and Seventh Streets is well served by transit. The Metro B and D Lines stop at 7th Street/Metro Center, about a block and a half away, and several bus lines run along Broadway. Parking garages are scattered around the district, but weekend rates vary, so reserve a spot ahead if you drive. Arrive early to find your seat and take in the lobby.

Plan on dinner nearby too. The Grand Central Market and the Historic Core restaurants are a short walk, which makes the afternoon easy to turn into a full day. For a wider look at what is on, browse our guides to upcoming events in Los Angeles and the rest of the arts and culture listings, or see more from downtown.

Prices were not listed in the source we checked, so confirm current ticket prices and seat maps on Ticketmaster. Showtimes and seating can change, so check the page again close to the date.