Lexington Ballet dances The Nutcracker at the Lexington Opera House Dec. 12-20, 2026, with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, White Christmas and COLLAGE.
Last checked Oct. 24, 2026. Facts come from Lexington Ballet’s calendar, Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s performances page, Lexington Children’s Theatre, the Central Bank Center listings for the Lexington Opera House and the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center. This page is updated each year at the same address.
Yes, The Nutcracker is on in Lexington this year. Lexington Ballet lists six performances at the Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St.: Saturday, Dec. 12; Sunday, Dec. 13; Wednesday, Dec. 16; Friday, Dec. 18; Saturday, Dec. 19; and Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026. As of Oct. 24 the company had not posted show times or prices, and its calendar says tickets are “coming soon.” We will add times and prices when they are posted.
Know before you go
- Lexington Ballet’s Nutcracker: Dec. 12-20 at the Lexington Opera House; times and tickets not yet posted
- Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker: Saturday, Dec. 19, in Richmond, Kentucky; tickets on sale
- Other holiday shows: White Christmas Nov. 19-22, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, COLLAGE Dec. 5-6
- Parking: LexPark’s 350 West Short Garage is on the Opera House’s street; meters are free on weekends
The Nutcracker
Lexington Ballet lists these dates for its 2026 Nutcracker at the Lexington Opera House:
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Dec. 12 |
| Sunday | Dec. 13 |
| Wednesday | Dec. 16 |
| Friday | Dec. 18 |
| Saturday | Dec. 19 |
| Sunday | Dec. 20 |
The company also lists Deconstructed: The Nutcracker on Friday, Dec. 4, at the 21c Museum Hotel downtown, with tickets “coming soon.” Lexington Ballet’s other fall show, Queen of Hearts, is at the Opera House on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Kentucky Ballet Theatre, the city’s other ballet company, lists one Nutcracker date for its 2026-27 season: Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the EKU Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond, Kentucky. Tickets are on sale through Etix. In 2025 the company danced its Nutcracker at the Lexington Opera House over two weekends, Dec. 13-14 and 20-21, according to the Central Bank Center. As of Oct. 24 it had not listed a 2026 Lexington run.
A touring production, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, plays the Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St., at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Seats are $35 to $88, with premium packages above that.
Holiday theater
- Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Lexington Theatre Company, Lexington Opera House: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20; 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington Opera House: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The 7 p.m. Dec. 5 show is pay what you will. Seats are $22 to $65. The theater recommends it for ages 5 and up, and it runs about an hour.
Holiday concerts
- COLLAGE: A Holiday Spectacular, University of Kentucky School of Music, Singletary Center Concert Hall: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. $50, students $22, groups of 15 or more $34.
- LexPhil Holiday Brass: the Lexington Philharmonic’s brass quintet plays Harper Hall downtown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. Details are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.
Parking and getting there
The Lexington Opera House is at 401 W. Short St. downtown. LexPark runs the nearby garages:
- 350 West Short Garage, 350 W. Short St., on the same street as the Opera House.
- Transit Center Garage, 150 E. Vine St.; Helix on Main Garage, 156 E. Main St.; and Courthouse Garage, 105 Barr St.
LexPark says its garages are open 24 hours, charge event and evening rates “as posted” and take credit cards only during events. Metered street parking is free all day on Saturdays and Sundays. The Singletary Center is on the University of Kentucky campus at 405 Rose St.
More on downtown parking and transit is on our getting around page, and current lane closures are on road construction and closures.
Frequently asked questions
When is The Nutcracker in Lexington? Lexington Ballet: Dec. 12, 13, 16, 18, 19 and 20 at the Lexington Opera House. Times are not posted yet.
Are Nutcracker tickets on sale? Not for Lexington Ballet as of Oct. 24. Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s Dec. 19 shows in Richmond are on sale.
What else is on for the holidays? White Christmas Nov. 19-22, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Nov. 29 to Dec. 6 and COLLAGE Dec. 5-6.
More: arts and exhibitions this month, Christmas parade and tree lighting and things to do this month.
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