Event Calendar

Nutcracker Tickets On Sale September 23

Performance Dates

Friday, December 11, 2026 at 7 PM
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 7 PM
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 2 PM

The Kingdom of Sweets Party will begin at noon on Sunday, December 13.

The Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre (MPBT) is thrilled to announce its return to Sunset Center with the 2026 production of The Nutcracker with Monterey's own Tia Brown Rosenblum as Artistic Director. With the hope of exposing students to a professional experience, she collaborated with many gifted choreographers amongst which were peninsula locals and former students. We are delighted to have professional dancers, Samuel Jones and Jameson Keating, join MPBT as our Cavalier, Nutcracker, Prince, and Arabian lead- partnering our talented local dancers: Brooke Benson (Princess Clara), Dana Pfeiffer (Sugar Plum Fairy), Emory Bates (Arabian Lead), Sabrina McGuirk (Clara), and Jolie Bonanno (Mouse Queen). The culmination of such talent and creative energy working with the young people of the area makes MPBT's Nutcracker without equal on the Peninsula! This enchanting story springs to life in keeping with the tradition of Tchaikovsky's original ballet, first performed in San Francisco many years ago.

Come celebrate the magical tradition with our family of 150 dancers, countless volunteers, and enthusiastic supporters, all of whom have been celebrating the Christmas season since August and are now proud to present a beautiful interpretation of The Nutcracker. Stunning tutus are fluffed, scenery is painted and props are getting an extra coat of glitter, all in anticipation of dazzling our audience!

Join Clara as she celebrates the holiday with her family who include her mischievous little brother and her beloved and magical Uncle Drosselmeyer. As she ventures into a world of ethereal characters, she's gifted with visions of twirling sugar plums, divine angels, and pirouetting flowers. Cookies and Bon Bons spring to life from under Mother Ginger's charmed costume, and candy canes leap, twist and twirl for your entertainment. This show provides entertainment for everyone – soldiers battling beasts, a Nutcracker saving a fair young lady, and fantastic wonders such as snow falling from Sunset's arches and trees growing before your eyes. All spectacles that you must see to believe!

Joining MPBT for one of these performances ensures that, when your children go to bed this Christmas Eve, they are sure to be dreaming of more than just sugar plums dancing in their heads! Thank you for supporting MPBT and all of the children who benefit from this work. Happy Holidays!

Adults: $61 (Listed price includes a $3 Box Office Fee and a $3 Facility Use Fee)

Teens (ages 13-19):$45 (Listed price includes a $3 Box Office Fee and a $2 Facility Use Fee)

Children (12 & Under):  $40 (Listed price includes a $3 Box Office Fee and a $2 Facility Use Fee)

Kingdom of Sweets (Sunday Only): $126 (Listed price includes a $3 Box Office Fee and a $3 Facility Use Fee)

When purchasing tickets online or over the phone, a convenience fee of $4.50 will be charged. These fees are non-negotiable. For more information about any of these fees, please view our FAQ.