Ring in the holiday season with timeless tradition as Atlanta Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker, running December 6–27. Accompanied by a live orchestra, Atlanta Ballet will transport audience members of all ages to a whimsical winter wonderland and dazzle them with a spectacular version of the classical ballet, choreographed by Yuri Possokhov.

Possokhov, an award-winning choreographer with over 35 years of experience, exclusively reimagined The Nutcracker for Atlanta Ballet in 2018. Through intricately designed costumes, magnificent hand-painted sets and advanced production elements, Possokhov brought the production to life in a way never seen before. The Atlanta Ballet will once again be joined by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra to perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, making this an unmatched Nutcracker production in the southeast accompanied by a professional, live orchestra.

“Through innovative choreography and immersive storytelling, our Nutcracker has captivated generations of audiences year after year, offering moments to make new discoveries every time,” said Gennadi Nedvigin, artistic director of Atlanta Ballet. “We look forward to this annual performance as it showcases our excellence as a premier dance company and celebrates our role as a cornerstone of the Atlanta arts community during the magical holiday season.”

Renowned as one of the most technically advanced and experimental interpretations of the show, the Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker invites audiences to escape into a fantastical holiday experience set in a charming yuletide German town. Celebrated for its enchanting story of a young girl who embarks on a magical adventure, featuring a battle between toy soldiers and mice, and a journey to the Land of Sweets, Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is unrivaled. To bring the spectacle to life, nine semi-trucks containing over 250 costumes and eight tons of lighting, scenery, and props are transported to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre to solidify the Atlanta Ballet’s reputation for presenting the grandest Nutcracker production in the Southeast. Featuring dancers of all ages, 195 students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education will perform in The Nutcracker this year, with 35 children per performance.

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will also transform into winter wonderland, decked out with Christmas trees, snowflakes and specialty stations for holiday photo opportunities in the lobby. Before and after the show, guests can shop for holiday gifts at the Atlanta Ballet Boutique and indulge in seasonal treats, such as hot cocoa, apple cider, and holiday cocktails for adults. A pre-performance DJ will welcome audience members with beloved holiday tunes.

“For 66 years, The Nutcracker has been a time-honored tradition where Atlantans of all ages gather to make special holiday memories,” said Tom West, Atlanta Ballet’s executive director. “Atlanta Ballet is proud to carry on this enduring legacy and inspire new and returning audience members even after the curtain closes.”

Atlanta Ballet will also present an abbreviated version of The Nutcracker for four Kids In Step shows, giving thousands more children in the community the chance to experience a special behind-the-scenes look at the magic backstage. Dates for these shows are December 9, 10, 11 and 17.

Through its partnership with Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel adjacent to Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta Ballet is offering special packages to Nutcracker-goers accessible here.

For more information about Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and to purchase tickets, please visit www.atlantaballet.com/nutcracker. Tickets can be purchased online at atlantaballet.com or in person at the Cobb Energy Centre Box Office. For groups of ten or more, please email [email protected]

Atlanta Ballet gratefully acknowledges the support of The Carlos Family in Honor of Thalia N. Carlos and PNC Bank.