How many Nutcrackers can one city hold? Los Angeles Ballet sets its version among Southern California landmarks at the Dolby Theatre, and The Long Beach Nutcracker brings a live horse onstage. Between ballets, look for mariachi Christmas shows, holiday salsa, and a lucha libre Krampus night for grown-ups.
Part of the Los Angeles Christmas Guide, with every event on one page.
The Nutcracker by Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet sets its Nutcracker in Southern California, moving from a Spanish-style Hancock Park mansion to the snowy slopes of Big Bear, the Venice Beach arches, and the moonlit Pacific. The Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra plays Tchaikovsky live at the Dolby Theatre, and there's a sensory-friendly matinee.
CANDY CANES, CAROLS AND CHEER: THE MASTER CHORALE SALUTES THE HOLIDAYS
The Los Angeles Master Chorale sings holiday carols and classics from around the world at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 62 singers strong with piano and organ, under conductor Grant Gershon. Santa may drop by. Balcony seats are $68, and children under six aren't admitted.
The Long Beach Nutcracker (Long Beach)
Long Beach Ballet's Nutcracker at the Terrace Theater has a cast of over 200, a live orchestra playing Tchaikovsky, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, and onstage pyrotechnics. Tickets run $38 to $95, and food trucks park outside before the show. The artistic director says you can hate ballet and still like it.
Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (Redondo Beach)
The Debbie Allen Dance Academy stages Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, a modern musical take on Tchaikovsky's classic, at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Expect diverse choreography, new music, aerial arts, and projection design. Public performances run about 90 minutes, and tickets are sold through Eventbrite.
Bob Baker's Nutcracker (Pasadena)
Bob Baker's Nutcracker tells the classic story with more than 100 handcrafted puppets at the Pasadena Playhouse. Look for the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes, the Waltzing Flowers, and a Nutcracker band called The Go-Go's. Tickets are $20, and kids under 5 aren't admitted. No strings attached? Quite the opposite.
Carols For Kids
Carols For Kids is a one-hour sing-along concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall, hosted by two of Santa's helpers and conducted by Grant Gershon, with a special performance by Youth Chorus LA. Come early for free family activities around the hall and photos with Santa. One hour suits the wee ones nicely.
A Christmas Carol (Pasadena)
A Noise Within in Pasadena stages Geoff Elliott's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, with reimagined scenic design, music, and a fair amount of fog as three spirits visit Scrooge. It's for ages 5 and up. The theater is steps from the Metro A Line's Sierra Madre Villa station, and it's cashless.
Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular (Northridge)
Nochebuena celebrates Christmas Eve traditions from across Mexico's regions at The Soraya in Northridge, with ranchera singer Aida Cuevas, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo, and Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles. The lobby gets trees and photo spots, and the concessions run to tamales, conchas, and Abuelita hot chocolate. Tickets are $42 to $95.
Holiday Candlelight Concert (Pasadena)
The Pasadena Symphony & Pops plays favorite carols by candlelight in the historic sanctuary of All Saints Church. Broadway's Nicole Parker joins the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, the Donald Brinegar Singers, and the LA Bronze Handbell Ensemble. It runs about 75 minutes with no intermission and isn't recommended for kids under 6.
A Journey of Joy: The Music of Las Posadas
Las Posadas, a 400-year-old Latin American custom of community and hospitality, gets the choral treatment from the Los Angeles Master Chorale inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Grant Gershon conducts 40 singers, with piano and Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. Tickets are $52 to $86, fees included, and all sales are final.
Scrooge! The Musical (2026) (Anaheim)
Scrooge! The Musical is Leslie Bricusse's take on A Christmas Carol, with an Oscar-nominated score, on the Cripe Stage at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center in Anaheim. Marley and the three spirits do their work in about two hours and 15 minutes. It's for ages 4 and up, and parking is free.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas (2026) (Anaheim)
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas is a family musical, based on the Fancy Nancy books, at the Bette Aitken theater arts Center in Anaheim. Nancy's holiday plans, sparkly new tree topper included, don't quite go as expected. It runs about an hour and ten minutes, and the cast stays for photos and autographs.
Lucha Goth Haus: Noche de Krampus 3
Lucha Goth Haus: Noche de Krampus 3 is a gothic holiday variety show at Don Quixote, with live lucha libre hosted by Lard Humungus, dark art and vendor booths, and a Krampus photo booth. Afterward, DJs spin goth, darkwave, post-punk, and industrial. It's 21 and over, with a holiday toy and pet drive.
FrostyFest: Hollywood's Holiday Theatre & Short Film Festival
FrostyFest fills The Hobgoblin Playhouse with holiday-themed plays and short films, and not just Christmas ones. One night screens ten holiday shorts and lets the audience vote live, and Roast Your Chestnuts is a 45-minute solo Mrs. Claus show. It's for ages 13 and up.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (La Mirada)
The La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts stages Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, the story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince set to Tchaikovsky's score, with festive costumes to match. Watch for the Doves of Peace, an acro-ballet adagio in the Land of Peace and Harmony scene.
The Nutcracker (San Pedro Ballet) (Torrance)
San Pedro City Ballet brings its Nutcracker to the Armstrong in Torrance, set to Tchaikovsky's score. Watch for the Christmas tree scene, dancing snowflakes, mischievous mice, and the Land of Sweets. If the Nutcracker is a tradition at your house, this is the local version to know.
The Nutcracker Ballet (Downey)
Dance! To Your Heart's Delight stages The Nutcracker at the Downey Theatre, following Clara's Christmas Eve dream through the battle with the mice to the Kingdom of Sweets. Professional dancers take the principal roles, and the Sugar Plum Fairy leads a celebration of international dances. It suits all ages.
Christmas Duets Concerts at The Nethercutt Collection (Sylmar)
The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar hosts Christmas duets concerts with live organ and piano, in a museum of over 250 restored automobiles and rare mechanical musical instruments. Tickets are $20 (credit card only), guests must be 10 or older, and parking is free. Come for the carols, stay for the cars.
Annual Family Christmas Party (San Pedro)
The San Pedro Masons host an Annual Family Christmas Party with a puppet show by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, starring penguins, snowmen, and Rudolph. Afterward, kids meet Santa, get a stocking, and pose in his sleigh, and refreshments are served. Plan on about two and a half hours.
Aloha Everywhere Concert Series: Kalani Pe'a's Hawaiian Christmas (Downey)
Three-time Grammy-winning vocalist Kalani Pe'a brings his Hawaiian Christmas show to the Downey Theatre, mixing Western and Hawaiian holiday songs and traditions. It's part of HIC Lifestyle's Aloha Everywhere Concert Series. Bringing a child 2 or under? Call the box office first.
A Merry Rockin' Christmas (Rolling Hills Estates)
A Merry Rockin' Christmas mixes classic Christmas cheer with rock and roll energy at the Norris Theatre in Rolling Hills Estates, starring Michael Cavanagh. It's an upbeat holiday revue for all ages. Buying tickets ahead beats hoping for seats at the door. Silent night, it isn't.