Four Irish Nutcrackers are confirmed for Christmas 2026 so far: Cork City Ballet at Cork Opera House in early November, High Points Youth Ballet at Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey in mid-November, ZoNa Dance Company at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny in December, and Wexford School of Ballet at the National Opera House in Wexford, also in December. The rest of the season's line-up changes every year. No company brings The Nutcracker to Ireland annually, so last year's programme tells you nothing about this year's. This page lists every confirmed production and is updated as each new one is announced.
Confirmed for 2026
Cork City Ballet: The Nutcracker
Cork Opera House, 5 to 7 November 2026.
Cork opens the Irish Nutcracker season this year. Cork City Ballet performs the full-length ballet to Tchaikovsky's score at Cork Opera House, with international principals and a full corps de ballet.
Dates, times and booking for Cork City Ballet's Nutcracker
High Points Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker
Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, 13 and 14 November 2026.
High Points Youth Ballet stage their annual Nutcracker at Theatre at the Mill across three performances: Friday evening, then a matinee and an evening on the Saturday. The choreography is by Volkan Ersoy, Murat Akaoglu and Adéla Lišková. Tickets are £24, or £20.50 concession.
Dates, times and booking for High Points Youth Ballet's Nutcracker
ZoNa Dance Company: The Nutcracker
An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, 11 and 12 December 2026.
ZoNa Dance Company dance the full-length ballet to Tchaikovsky's score across three performances: Friday evening, then a matinee and an evening on the Saturday. The Saturday matinee is the cheapest seat at €14, and a family ticket for four is available at every performance.
Dates, times and booking for ZoNa Dance Company's Nutcracker
Wexford School of Ballet: The Nutcracker
National Opera House, Wexford, December 2026. Dates to be confirmed.
Wexford School of Ballet stage the full Nutcracker at the National Opera House every second December, and have confirmed 2026 is a Nutcracker year. Dates and booking are not announced yet. We will add them as soon as the box office opens.
Auditioning for a Nutcracker
ZoNa Dance Company cast their Letterkenny Nutcracker from an open audition, so you do not need to be a ZoNa pupil to dance in it. Dancers must be 10 or over and working at Grade 4 ballet or above.
Looking for Nutcracker Sweeties?
Ballet Ireland is not touring a Nutcracker in 2026. Their Christmas production this year is Romeo and Juliet, on national tour from 30 October to 19 December 2026. Nutcracker Sweeties, their Dublin department-store retelling, last toured in 2024. If it returns in a future season it will be listed here.
Is there a Nutcracker in Dublin in 2026?
Not yet. As of late August 2026, no Dublin production has been announced. The most recent was State Ballet of Georgia at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in November 2025, a visiting engagement rather than an annual fixture. We check the venues regularly and will list any Dublin production here as soon as booking opens.
Recent Nutcracker seasons in Ireland
The line-up genuinely reshuffles every year, which is why this page exists:
2025: State Ballet of Georgia, accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, performed at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin from 10 to 15 November, then at the Grand Opera House in Belfast from 18 to 22 November. Irish National Youth Ballet performed The Nutcracker in Dublin from 5 to 7 December.
2024: Ballet Ireland toured Nutcracker Sweeties to 11 venues nationwide, including the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin from 13 to 16 November. Irish National Youth Ballet's December run sold out.
None of these has announced 2026 dates. When any of them does, it moves to the confirmed list above.
The Nutcracker in cinemas
The Royal Ballet's Nutcracker screens in Irish cinemas most Decembers as a live broadcast from London, including at the Light House Cinema in Dublin in past seasons. Cinema listings for December 2026 are usually published in the autumn.
Running a Nutcracker in 2026?
If your school or company is staging The Nutcracker anywhere in Ireland this season, tell us and we will list it here and on the shows page.
While you're here: win a night under the lights
Two tickets to Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty, Dublin, 8 Nov. Joining the newsletter is the entry.
Enter the drawFrequently asked questions
Where can I see The Nutcracker in Ireland in 2026?
Four productions so far. Cork City Ballet at Cork Opera House, 5 to 7 November 2026. High Points Youth Ballet at Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, on 13 and 14 November. ZoNa Dance Company at An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, on 11 and 12 December. Wexford School of Ballet at the National Opera House in December, dates to be confirmed.
Can I audition for a Nutcracker in Ireland in 2026?
Yes. ZoNa Dance Company hold open auditions for their Letterkenny Nutcracker on 12 September 2026, 3.30pm to 5pm, at their studio on Canal Road. Dancers must be 10 or over and working at Grade 4 ballet or above, and you do not need to be a ZoNa pupil.
Is The Nutcracker coming to Dublin in 2026?
No Dublin production has been announced yet as of August 2026. The most recent was State Ballet of Georgia at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in November 2025. Check back here: new announcements are added as soon as booking opens.
Is Ballet Ireland touring Nutcracker Sweeties in 2026?
No. Ballet Ireland's Christmas 2026 production is Romeo and Juliet, touring nationally from 30 October to 19 December. Nutcracker Sweeties last toured in 2024.
How long is The Nutcracker, and what age is it suitable for?
Most full-length productions run about two hours including an interval. Age guidance is set by each venue: recent Irish productions recommended ages 5 or 6 and up, and most theatres do not admit children under 3.
Last checked: 30 August 2026