A Magical Evening with SF Ballet’s Timeless Nutcracker

I keep returning to The Nutcracker every few years, and each time, I can’t help but think, “This should be an annual tradition.” The sweetness and charm of the show, as presented by the SF Ballet, infuse the classic Nutcracker tale with heartwarming holiday moments that are truly delightful and uniquely associated with this timeless story.

San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © Reneff-Olson Productions

To start out, the opening scene features the streets of San Francisco with victorian homes lining the street as the toy maker makes his merry way to the opening party scene. It felt like we were transported in time back to when life felt simpler in SF. The 300 costumes throughout the performance wowed us with glittering pastels in an antique pallet that felt elevated and beautiful.

San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © Reneff-Olson Productions

My favorite part was hard to pin down as there were so many delightfully heartwarming parts throughout the performance. At one point, the Stahlbaums’ Christmas tree in the opening party grows to be over 30 feet in less than 2 minutes, making a really awe-inspiring transition between scenes. Of course the snow queen’s scene is one of my favorites.

Jihyun Choi and Nathaniel Remez in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo

Just before intermission you see the entire stage become a winter wonderland with snow falling from the sky and the dancers delicately kicking around the powder as they glide and dance across the stage. I found out later that the Snow Queen’s embellished tutu took 80 hours to make!     

San Francisco Ballet in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © Reneff-Olson Productions

At times, the holiday season’s hectic pace can be downright overwhelming, leaving some of us caught in a whirlwind of constant activity. Amidst the jam-packed schedule, finding a moment to sit and witness ballet dancers bringing to life one of the most beloved holiday stories emerged as the perfect remedy for me—a chance to slow down and relish the present. SF Ballet’s Nutcracker serves as a moment of pause, allowing individuals to momentarily step away from the frenetic pace of the season and savor the unfolding on stage. This holiday classic truly is the heartwarming cheer you need to hit that reset button this season. 

Event Information for SF Ballet’s Nutcracker:

The Nutcracker runs through December until December 30th and there are still tickets available for this holiday classic.

Tickets Available Here:
sfballet.org/productions/nutcracker

Some pro-tips for your visit to any performance at The Opera House:

You can skip the intermission drink line: Did you know that you can order yourself an intermission drink pre-show at any of the bars and it’ll be waiting for you during intermission. It was delightful to be able to skip the line and just enjoy the Opera House’s beauty during intermission rather than waiting in line during the short intermission.

Family Viewing Area: I didn’t know this but apparently there’s a family viewing area on the Dress Circle Level – perfect for you and your kiddo if they are getting restless and you need to get up from your seats but you don’t want to miss any of the performance.

Buddy System Walks to Bart/Muni and the Civic Center Garage: There’s a walking group to the bart station and parking after the show. Groups meet 15 minutes after the performance. Groups are lead by Civic Center Ambassadors in orange vests. Super nice of them to have a buddy system in place so people can get to transportation safely.

Jacey Gailliard and Sofia Albers in Tomasson’s Nutcracker // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by Lindsey Rallo