Los Angeles Ballet The Nutcracker at Royce Hall

Few holiday outings are as dependable as The Nutcracker, and this year Los Angeles Ballet brings its production to Royce Hall for a weekend run, December 11 through 13, 2026. If you are collecting family events Los Angeles has to offer before the year ends, this one belongs near the top of the list.

When: December 11 to 13, 2026 Where: Royce Hall, Los Angeles Tickets: through the listing linked below; check the page for showtimes and seat prices

What to expect

The story is the one many families know by heart. On Christmas Eve a young girl is given a nutcracker, the toy comes to life, and a battle with the Mouse King leads to a journey through a land of snow and sweets. Tchaikovsky's score carries the whole evening, from the marching soldiers to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the waltz of the flowers.

For first-time ballet goers, this is a gentle way in. The plot is easy to follow without a program, the music is familiar from a hundred holiday playlists, and the big ensemble scenes give younger viewers plenty to watch. It also works for adults who have not seen a live ballet in years.

Planning your visit

Royce Hall is a historic auditorium on the UCLA campus, with its brick facade and twin towers a landmark in its own right. Campus parking and event traffic can add time, so aim to arrive well before curtain. Allow a few extra minutes to find your seats and settle restless little ones.

The listing page shows the weekend as a three-day run, and exact performance times are best confirmed there before you buy. Holiday ballet weekends tend to sell well, so booking early gives you a better choice of seats. Families with very young children may want to pick an aisle seat for easy exits.

If you are building a list of things to do with kids LA offers in December, pair the show with a daytime stop nearby. A walk through the Westwood area or the UCLA grounds makes a good lead-in, and dressing up a little turns it into an occasion. Plenty of families treat it as an annual ritual.

Why it works for families

A live orchestra-scored ballet at the holidays gives kids a different kind of seasonal outing than a mall visit or a movie. It is dressy but not stuffy, and the story gives children a reason to stay engaged. If you want more ideas, browse our family category for other kids activities LA has on the calendar this season.

Details such as showtimes and ticket prices come from the venue listing, so check the official page before you go.