Six Steps to a Dreamy Nutcracker with Kids (with Insider Tips!)

When is a child old enough for Nutcracker? You know your kids best: Can they sit quietly through a two-hour show (with one intermission)? It’s a judgment call: we recommend that children be at least 5 years old, and require that everyone be at least 3 years old (and have their own ticket). If you’re unsure, we have questions to help you decide whether your child is ready for the ballet. When considering who to bring, keep in mind that while ballet is often thought of as an activity for young girls, there’s lots for boys to enjoy too, especially at Nutcracker.

Matinee or Evening?
Consider the kids’ daily routine. Most Nutcracker performances start at 2 pm for matinees and evening performances at 7 pm, while Christmas Eve and post-Christmas performances have 11 am and 4 pm showtimes. On December 10 and 17, there are 11 am Performances for Young Audiences. There are also a few 6 pm performances for those with early mornings or those planning dinner after the performance. Children who are sleepy before 9 pm would most likely be better at a matinee or attend an after-Christmas performance, while those who have a mid-afternoon lull might better appreciate an evening performance.

INSIDER TIP
If you’re driving to an evening performance, consider putting a pillow, blanket, and pajamas in the trunk for the ride home.

Before or After Christmas?
Attending Nutcracker in the lead-up to the holidays is a special experience and a joyous escape from the holiday bustle. But did you know that Nutcracker performances continue after Christmas? The post-Christmas performances tend to be less crowded, with the same holiday magic but less pre-holiday stress in the air.

INSIDER TIP
The 4 pm performance on Christmas Eve has added poignancy and a festive air, and Santa makes an appearance!

An Extra-Special Nutcracker Experience

• For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, the Nutcracker Benefit Luncheon involves a beautiful lunch (and meeting the Sugar Plum Fairy), activities, a performance, and much more.

Young Children / Sensory Friendly Performance

• Sensory Friendly / Young Children Performance on December 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Perfect for young children and family members needing extra care. This performance offers a more relaxed, shush-free, and shame-free environment for audience members of all ages and abilities to experience this magical holiday tradition in a safe and comfortable atmosphere. Learn more.

When going to the ballet with children, look for seats on or near an aisle. Then if you need to slip out—for any reason—during the show, you and your child won’t have to crawl over disgruntled seatmates in the darkened theater to exit.

You also need to choose a seating section. Nutcracker is special in that you see something different from each area of the Opera House. Want to see the production’s intricate details and the performers’ expressions? Choose seats closer to the stage. On a budget? The seats high in the balconies also have a unique view: you’ll see choreographic patterns in the “blossoming” of the Waltz of the Flowers and in the swirling snowflakes.

The seats on the three balconies (Grand Tier, Dress Circle, and the Balconies) are more steeply raked (stacked) so that it can be easier for children to see over those seated in front of them.

INSIDER TIP
If you blanche when a child leans on a high railing, don’t choose a seat in the front row of the Grand Tier, Balcony Circle, or Boxes.

Read the Story and Listen to the Music
You can read the story of SF Ballet’s Nutcracker before the show. And listen to our Nutcracker Spotify playlist to get to know the music. To delve deeper, our blog has a wealth of information about Nutcracker—ranging from how the blizzard in the snow scene is created to backstage photographs to the history of this, America’s first Nutcracker.

Talk it Through
A little advanced prep can go a long way—especially for kids coming to a ballet for the first time. Set aside a moment to explain what it’s like to be in a theater. And that unlike at a sports event or watching TV at home, they’ll need to be both quiet and still during the show (and can’t look at electronic devices). Then prepare to bask in the reflected glow of accompanying such well-behaved kids at the show.

INSIDER TIP
You can take a virtual tour of the Opera House. Click here! 

Head Out Early
The experience of Nutcracker starts well before the show, and everyone will be happier if you’re not rushing and/or arriving late. Allow a few minutes for photos before you leave home, so you can capture everyone in their holiday finery, and budget extra time for traffic, parking, transit delays, inclement weather, etc. You can learn more about getting to the Opera House, where to park, and where to eat in the neighborhood here.

Grab a Bite Before The Show
Build in time to get something to eat, whether at home or at one of the many local restaurants. You can purchase drinks and food throughout the Opera House, but you cannot bring them into the auditorium, and outside food isn’t allowed in the Opera House.

INSIDER TIP
To avoid concession lines at intermission, you can pre-order beverages and snacks so they’ll be waiting for you after the first act. Just speak to one of the bartenders before the show.

Find the Facilities
You know this already, but here’s one more reminder: take a trip to the restroom before the show begins. Each act is about 50 minutes long and if you leave in the middle, you won’t be allowed back to your seat. There are restrooms on every floor (except the Main Lobby level) with women’s restrooms on the south side and men’s on the north side (they’re side-by-side on the lower level). There’s a family restroom/gender-neutral restroom on the Dress Circle level.

Nutcracker is a wonderful ballet for children, with an engaging story and many short, colorful dances. That said, take a look around before the lights go down to determine the easiest way out of the theater in case anyone gets restless.

INSIDER TIP
Need a band-aid or a cough drop? There’s a first-aid room on the lower level. This can also be used as a mother’s room/lactation room.

If you need a break or to leave the auditorium during the show, you can still see what’s happening onstage. There’s a special Family Viewing Area on the Dress Circle level. There you can watch the performance unfold on a screen in a welcoming space that allows children to move and/or talk about the performance while experiencing it.

Stretch your legs by exploring the Opera House at intermission (right after the snow scene). You can visit main SF Ballet Shop on the south Mezzanine (second floor) and a Shop kiosk on the south side of Main Lobby, use the restroom, get a snack, and/or burn off some extra energy. This is a great time to chat about the first part of the performance. What did you like best?

And don’t forget to document your Nutcracker experience (but not during the performance, it’s not allowed). There are holiday-themed backdrops set up on various levels of the Opera House. And there’s a photogenic sleigh on the north side of the lower level that you can sit in for photos. If you share to social media, tag @SFBallet and #SFBNutcracker.