The Beloved Holiday Classic Returns
(Miami Beach, FL — November 5, 2025) – When palm trees meet snowflakes, it can only mean one thing: Miami City Ballet (Gonzalo Garcia, Artistic Director; Juan José Escalante, Executive Director) once again conjures a holiday spectacle like no other with the return of George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ. This glittering tradition, bursting with color, magic, and Miami flair, takes over the Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Boulevard) for 21 performances only, December 12-28, inviting audiences to revel in a snow-kissed fantasy where dreams dance, sweets sparkle, and the spirit of the season reigns supreme. Tickets are available at www.MiamiCityBallet.org or by phone at 305.929.7010 or toll-free at 877.929.7010.
Photos are available for download here.
A Miami Holiday Tradition Like No Other
With the flick of a wand and a swirl of tulle, Miami City Ballet transforms the Magic City into a winter paradise where sugarplums twirl beneath the stars and snowflakes pirouette across the stage. Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, performed live by a full orchestra, George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ shimmers with the ballet Master’s signature choreography — precision, elegance, and heart in motion.
Beloved by generations, MCB’s production of George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ dazzles the senses with hundreds of costumes, spectacular sets, and the kind of stagecraft that turns every performance into pure enchantment. Children and adults alike will be swept into Marie’s dream, where toy soldiers march, flowers waltz, and the Sugarplum Fairy reigns over a realm so radiant it could only bloom in Miami.
The Return of the “Land of Sweets” — Miami’s Ultimate Holiday Playground
Back by popular demand, the Land of Sweets — presented by Spirit Airlines and created in partnership with Mad Arts — returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Peacock Foundation Studio bigger, brighter, and more enchanting than ever. The immersive wonderland that captivated audiences last year once again transforms George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ experience into a multi-sensory celebration for all ages.
Guests are invited to arrive early (doors open 90 minutes before each performance) and step into 8,000 square feet of pure holiday magic, featuring glittering light projections, whimsical photo ops, festive treats, and a gingerbread gift shop offering souvenir nutcrackers. The Sweet Lounge sets the mood with craft cocktails, and indulgent bites, while families can mingle with beloved Nutcracker characters and enjoy imaginative hands-on activities.
The Land of Sweets isn’t just a pre-show—it’s a Miami holiday ritual in the making, where art, play, and wonder collide in spectacular style.
The performance schedule for George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ is as follows:
Arsht Center, Miami, FL
1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Friday, December 12 at 7pm
Saturday, December 13 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 14 at 1pm & 6:30pm
Wednesday, December 17 at 1pm
Thursday, December 18 at 1pm
Friday, December 19 at 2pm & 7pm
Saturday, December 20 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 21 at 1pm & 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 23 at 2pm & 7pm
Wednesday, December 24 at 12pm
Friday, December 26 at 7pm
Saturday, December 27 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 28 at 12pm & 5pm
For those who believe Miami has no winter, George Balanchine’s The NutcrackerⓇ proves otherwise — snow will fall, hearts will soar, and audiences will once again discover that the greatest gift of the season is wonder itself. Tickets are available at www.MiamiCityBallet.org or by phone at 305.929.7010 or toll-free at 877.929.7010.
LOOKING AHEAD: A SEASON BURSTING WITH HEAT AND HEART
The rest of the 40th Anniversary Season promises Miami at its boldest. Upcoming programs include:
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A world premiere by Alexei Ratmansky in honor of MCB founder Toby Lerner Ansin in Into the Magic City (Feb 2026)
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The return of Carmen, full-length Jewels, a jazzy Deco-flavored finale, and more.
From the high-gloss drama of Twyla Tharp to Latin-tinged world premieres by Durante Verzola, MCB’s 40th is a season-long dance party—with edge, elegance, and no shortage of surprises. Full season info: www.MiamiCityBallet.org
Together, these programs form a glittering mosaic of movement, music, and Miami spirit—proving that after forty years, MCB’s flame burns brighter than ever.
Individual tickets and flex passes for all Miami City Ballet performances this season are available online at miamicityballet.org and miamicityballet.org/subscriptions, respectively, or by phone at 305.929.7010 or toll-free at 877.929.7010.
ABOUT MIAMI CITY BALLET
Miami City Ballet (MCB) is one of America’s premier ballet companies, recognized nationally and internationally for its artistic excellence, vibrant style, and innovative spirit. Founded in 1985 by Miami philanthropist Toby Lerner Ansin, MCB has earned its place as a leader in the field—nurturing new choreographic voices, forging bold collaborations, and championing greater inclusivity in classical ballet. Its artistic leadership has included Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella (1985–2012), Lourdes Lopez (2012–2025), and current Artistic Director Gonzalo Garcia. Rooted in the style, technique, and legacy of George Balanchine, the company’s repertory has grown to include more than 100 ballets—ranging from treasured classical works to trailblazing contemporary choreography, including over a dozen world premieres. MCB performs for nearly 125,000 audience members annually across South Florida and on tour, with recent appearances in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris. The Miami City Ballet School, one of the country’s top training academies, serves nearly 400 students from Miami and around the world. The company’s community engagement programs reach approximately 20,000 people annually, using the power of dance to uplift, educate, and inspire. MCB is based in Miami Beach at the Ophelia & Juan Js. Roca Center, designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm Arquitectonica.
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