Durham, NC
Performances
December 20th | 4pm
December 20th | 8pm
Experience NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
2023 Season
The beloved family tradition is back: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Get tickets now!



The Theater
About Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham
Welcome to the home of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet: The Durham Performing Arts Center. Since its opening in 2008, DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) has become the center for live entertainment in North Carolina. Recognized for its contemporary design, DPAC features 2,700 seats, intimate sightlines, and state-of-the-art sound and video. Ranked annually among the top-five theaters in America by three leading national magazines that cover live entertainment events and venues, in 2020 DPAC was among ten U.S. venues nominated for Theatre of the Decade by Pollstar Magazine.
With a mission of presenting one-of-a-kind live entertainment events, DPAC truly has “something for everyone,” hosting up to 550,000 guests per year to its 200 to 250 performances. Each season, the stage at DPAC comes alive with spectacular touring Broadway productions, high-profile concert and comedy events, family shows and special events of all kinds.
Owned by the City of Durham and operated under the direction of Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management (PFM), since 2011 DPAC has been listed as the #1 performing arts organization in the region by the Triangle Business Journal.

Partner Studio
Durham Partner Ballet Studio: Durham School of Ballet and the Performing Arts, and Spotlight Dance Company
Nutcracker wouldn’t be Nutcracker without the local Children’s cast! Dancing alongside the full international professional cast are local Durham children.
Durham School of Ballet and the Performing Arts, LLC (DSBPA) offers classes for students age two through adult who enjoy dancing, as well as for those who wish to pursue a professional career. Instructors are currently certified by ABT National Training Curriculum, Escola National de Ballet de Cuba, Imperial School of Dancing, and New England Conservatory of Circus Arts. They encourage and support their staff in pursuing continuing education opportunities for the benefit of students’ training. DSBPA constantly looks for opportunities to train students from communities traditionally underrepresented in classical ballet and aerial via national partnerships such as Project Plié and are seeking local partnerships with underrepresented groups.


Spotlight Dance Company offers students a place to learn to dance, meet new people and have fun while boosting their own self-confidence. They offer a variety of classes at affordable prices and provide their students with the newest dance trends as well as the classical knowledge they need to be a great dancer. Located in the heart of downtown, Spotlight Dance Company has a unique offering of children, adult & fitness classes. Their classes are taught by extensively trained and well-educated teachers who have a vast background in both performance and education.