# The San Jose Nutcracker by New Ballet

> Event for families in the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Dec 11 – Dec 23 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Where: Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95112
- Ages: Ages 2 and up (Special toddler matinee available)
- Price: $29-$95 depending on seating; youth and family ticket pricing available
- Organizer: New Ballet San Jose
- Official page: https://newballet.com/nutcracker
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

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 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), 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/san-jose/activities/the-san-jose-nutcracker-by-new-ballet--listing-7364d73382f8816f3310b79c

## About

The San Jose Nutcracker by New Ballet at the Hammer Theatre Center offers an imaginative Silicon Valley reimagining of the classic holiday ballet. Set in 1905 San Jose, the production features charming local historical references, including the iconic San Jose Electric Light Tower, blossoming heritage fruit orchards, and whimsical electric streetcars. Young dancers and professional ballet stars perform Tchaikovsky's beloved orchestral score alongside the New Ballet Orchestra, delighting children with the battle between the valiant Nutcracker and the Mouse King, swirling snowflake waltzes, and the Land of Sweets. A special abbreviated 'My Very First Nutcracker' performance is offered specifically for toddlers and young families.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Hammer Theatre lobby is fully ADA accessible with elevator access to all seating levels; dedicated stroller check-in available in main lobby.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Comfortable family companion restrooms with diaper changing stations located on both orchestra and balcony levels.
• Age Suitability: Regular performances suited for ages 4 and up; one-hour 'My Very First Nutcracker' matinees welcome toddlers and babies of all ages.
• Sensory Tips: Cannon boom during battle scene is soft and stylized; sensory-friendly family matinees feature relaxed house lights and lower sound levels.

## Similar picks in San Jose

- [San Jose Dance Theatre The Nutcracker](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/san-jose-dance-theatre-the-nutcracker--listing-1fedf36abeeccb87ab1d474c) — Dec 4 – Dec 13 · 2:00 PM – 4:15 PM · San Jose Center for the Performing Arts · Ages 4–99 · From $38 · checked Nov 5. Celebrating more than six decades of holiday artistry, San Jose Dance Theatre's presentation of The Nutcracker at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts is Silicon Valley's…
- [San Jose Nutcracker by San José Dance Theatre](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/san-jose-nutcracker-by-san-jose-dance-theatre--listing-af23dbe4f29bda622d6b5276) — Dec 12 – Dec 13 · 10:30 AM · San Jose Center for the Performing Arts · checked Oct 27. San José Dance Theatre presents its Nutcracker at the San José Center for the Performing Arts on December 12 and 13, 2026. The company describes toy soldiers, snowflakes…
- [The San Jose Nutcracker by New Ballet](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/the-san-jose-nutcracker-by-new-ballet--listing-ef1cc16c87cae8b41943c947) — Sat, Dec 19 (+5 more dates) · 2:00 PM · California Theatre · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 24. New Ballet and Symphony San Jose present The San Jose Nutcracker at the historic California Theatre downtown, a two-act production with live orchestra that moves the story to…
- [My Very First Nutcracker by New Ballet](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/my-very-first-nutcracker-by-new-ballet--listing-65252ddce662c9d37be9d9ba) — Sun, Dec 20 (+3 more dates) · 11:00 AM · California Theatre · Paid · checked Oct 24. My Very First Nutcracker is New Ballet's shortened, one-act version of The San Jose Nutcracker for toddlers, preschoolers and young children, running about 55 minutes at reduced…
- [A Winter Wonderland – Academy of Classical Ballet at Campbell Heritage Theatre](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/a-winter-wonderland-academy-of-classical-ballet-at-campbell-heritage-t--listing-14812f2d11cbce8b9351bf29) — Sat, Dec 12 (+1 more date) · 7:00 PM · Campbell Heritage Theatre · From $45 · checked Oct 24. The Academy of Classical Ballet's holiday ballet A Winter Wonderland follows the heroine Beatrice through an enchanted forest, where reindeer and baby polar bears befriend her…
- [Firelight Shadow Theater: Tell Me a Hanukkah Tale at Santa Teresa Library](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/activities/firelight-shadow-theater-tell-me-a-hanukkah-tale-at-santa-teresa-libra--listing-689f63e9fa7686d9cce7017d) — Wed, Dec 9 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Santa Teresa Branch Library · checked Oct 30. Shadow-puppet performances of winter stories and Hanukkah folktales by Daniel Barash, with an introduction to the art form and volunteers invited up to the shadow screen. In the…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Santa Clara County, CA](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/counties/santa-clara-county-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/counties/santa-clara-county-ca.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in San Jose](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/christmas.md)
- [Things to do with kids in San Jose — December 2026](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/events/2026-12) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/events/2026-12.md)
- [This weekend in San Jose](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in San Jose](https://grassyknees.com/san-jose) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-jose.md)
