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The Nutcracker is a can’t-miss holiday tradition, and there are options for every budget!

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at Oregon Ballet Theatre

Courtesy Oregon Ballet Theatre. Photo by James McGrew.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at Oregon Ballet Theatre is iconic and definitely splurge-worthy. Tickets start at $25. If your heart is set on this best-of-the-best experience, but the cost of tickets feels out of reach, OBT offers ticket specials you may be eligible for. December 8-24.

New this year: Oregon Ballet Theatre is offering a special sensory friendly one-hour performance for tiny tots enjoying their first ballet, called In a Nutshell. Tickets start at $20. December 19.

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Classical Ballet Academy

Courtesy Classical Ballet Academy

Classical Ballet Academy offers a delightful version of this ballet, performed by students in their pre-professional division. Tickets are $10-$17. December 16-17.

Northwest Dance Theatre’s A Nutcracker Tea

Courtesy Northwest Dance Theatre

Northwest Dance Theatre’s family-friendly abridged version of The Nutcracker ends with complimentary tea and cookies, the perfect way to end a trip to the Land of Sweets, in our opinion. Tickets are $20-$38. December 9-10 and 15-17.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Courtesy of Portland’s Presents

Enjoy a “remixed and reimagined version of the classic!” This is a Tuesday night performance in mid-November, the perfect beginning to the festive season. Tickets are $35-$65. November 14.

Oregon International Ballet Academy’s The Nutcracker at The Reser

Courtesy of Oregon International Ballet Academy

Kick off the season at The Reser with Oregon International Ballet Academy’s performance of The Nutcracker. Tickets are $29-$39, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. November 18-19.

Nutcracker Cracked at Portland Puppet Museum

Courtesy of The Portland Puppet Museum

See this holiday classic performed at the west coast’s only permanent puppet museum! Tickets are $15 for ages 3 and up. November 25-January 7.

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Inspire Dance Centre in Gresham’s An Evening with The Nutcracker

Courtesy of Inspire Dance Centre

Enjoy this lovely verison of The Nutcracker in Gresham! Tickets are $25. December 2-3.

Sultanov Ballet Nutcracker

Courtesy of Sultanov Ballet Academy

Lake Oswego’s The Nutcracker will delight the whole family! Tickets are $25-$35. December 9-10.

The Nutcracker by Columbia Dance (with a Vancouver twist!)

Courtesy of Columbia Dance

This version has beavers and fur trappers! Tickets are $18-$23, $30 for a household. December 15-17.

Open Space’s NOT-Cracker

Courtesy of Open Space

Head to The Newmark Theatre for this hour-long, family-friendly, and oh-so-unique take on the classic, performed by Open Space! December 16-17.

Holiday Performance by The Portland Ballet

Courtesy of The Portland Ballet, The Enchanted Toyshop performance

While this isn’t a Nutcracker performance, The Portland Ballet’s holiday show at Lincoln Hall definitely has a Nutcracker vibe. This year enjoy The Enchanted Toyshop, full of dancing dolls, toy soldiers, and a fairy or two. Tickets start at $10. November 25-26.

Nutcracker at Home

Courtesy Warner Bros. and the New York City Ballet

Holiday budgets too tight for tickets this year? We get it! Snuggle up on the couch and watch the talented dancers of the New York City Ballet on YouTube. No one should miss out on The Nutcracker® for lack of entertainment dollars.

Readers also recommend A Tale of the Nutcracker, a 1950s version at Riverside Performing Arts in Vancouver. December 16-17.

Meg Asby
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