# A Minnesota Nutcracker (Twin Cities Ballet at Northrop) > Event for families in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington area (MN / WI). Times are Central Time. - When: Sat, Dec 19 (+1 more date) - Where: Northrop (Carlson Family Stage), University of Minnesota, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 - Ages: for the whole family - Price: Ticketed; 20% off for children ages 17 and under; Dec 19 6 p.m. relaxed performance is Pick Your Price - Organizer: Twin Cities Ballet - Official page: https://www.tickets.umn.edu/northrop/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article%5Fid=DC5D7933-C779-4939-A023-5E3D4720DD5E - Last checked: Sat, Oct 24 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 32 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/a-minnesota-nutcracker-twin-cities-ballet-at-northrop--listing-f4d62065300980f3b8d9bc16 ## About Twin Cities Ballet brings its Minnesota-flavored version of The Nutcracker back to Northrop's Carlson Family Stage on the University of Minnesota campus. The production keeps the familiar story and Tchaikovsky score, but Clara's journey passes iconic Minnesota characters and places: the State Capitol's golden horses, falling waters, bluegill frolicking by a Mississippi River paddleboat, Vikings, and the state bird and flower, the loon and lady's slipper. Northrop bills it as entertainment for the whole family. There are three performances; the Saturday 6 p.m. show is a Pick Your Price relaxed performance, with house lights kept at a glow, lower sound, warnings before surprises, and freedom to come and go with help from trained ushers. Tickets for children 17 and under are 20% off (not combined with the relaxed show's pricing). ## Similar picks in Minneapolis - [The Classic Nutcracker (Ballet Minnesota at The O'Shaughnessy)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/the-classic-nutcracker-ballet-minnesota-at-the-o-shaughnessy--listing-a34e061795160f505251f17f) — Sat, Dec 19 (+1 more date) · 2:00 PM · The O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, St. Paul · From $16 · checked Oct 20. Ballet Minnesota's annual full-length Classic Nutcracker returns to The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University in St. Paul for three performances the weekend before Christmas… - [The Nutcracker Suite (Minnesota Dance Theatre)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/the-nutcracker-suite-minnesota-dance-theatre--listing-328b04a7b4f9c9aed34a5130) — Fri, Dec 18 (+2 more dates) · 7:00 PM · The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts · All ages · From $25 · checked Oct 16. Minnesota Dance Theatre's new Nutcracker production with original choreography by Gemma Bond, Darrius Strong, Brady Farrar, Aloe Liu and Katie Deutich. The Cowles Center pitches… - [Nutcracker in Wonderland (Ballet Co.Laboratory)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/nutcracker-in-wonderland-ballet-co-laboratory--listing-3cccd9cd8dfe29a5460059c0) — Fri, Dec 18 (+2 more dates) · 7:00 PM – 2:00 PM · Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota · From $40 · checked Oct 13. Ballet Co.Laboratory's holiday production weaving The Nutcracker with Alice in Wonderland, at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus, December 18-20, 2026… - [Ballet Tuesdays: Nutcracker in Wonderland (Landmark Center)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/ballet-tuesdays-nutcracker-in-wonderland-landmark-center--listing-eed96ace86158fb68b1feca1) — Tue, Nov 24 · 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Landmark Center (Musser Cortile), Saint Paul · Free · checked Oct 16. A free lunchtime dance program in the Musser Cortile with Ballet Co.Laboratory, previewing Nutcracker in Wonderland, which combines The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland… - [Mini-Nutcracker by Twin Cities Ballet (Lakeville Area Arts Center)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/mini-nutcracker-by-twin-cities-ballet-lakeville-area-arts-center--listing-0e38a50b2cede1b6d3a37a6f) — Tue, Dec 1 (+1 more date) · Lakeville Area Arts Center · All ages · From $18 · checked Oct 24. A shortened version of Twin Cities Ballet's full-length "A Minnesota Nutcracker," made to introduce children to the ballet. It runs less than an hour, keeps Tchaikovsky's score… - [A Christmas Carol & Hall of Trees (Lakeville Area Arts Center)](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/activities/a-christmas-carol-and-hall-of-trees-lakeville-area-arts-center--listing-f79fcd91b24ab5a302fa398c) — Fri, Dec 18 (+2 more dates) · Lakeville Area Arts Center · From $20 · checked Oct 16. A Christmas Carol paired with a Hall of Trees display at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, December 18-20, linked to Castle Co. Tickets are $20 general and $15 for seniors. ## More for families - [Christmas and holiday events for kids in Minneapolis](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/christmas.md) - [This weekend in Minneapolis](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Minneapolis](https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/minneapolis.md)