How do school groups reserve seats?

Schools and homeschool groups reserve through SJDT on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited, and a group may be offered its alternate session if its preferred one reaches capacity. School-show payments are not refunded if fewer students attend than were reserved and paid for.

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EventsHoliday & Special Events: Christmas

Family performance | Downtown San JoseHoliday & Special Events: Christmas

Once Upon a Nutcracker

Name: Once Upon a Nutcracker
Start: 2026-12-11T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-12-11T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Center for the Performing Arts

San José Dance Theatre’s approximately 55-minute program presents excerpts from The Nutcracker, with a backstage presentation during intermission. The Dec. 11 schedule separates a school/group performance from the public show.

n.San Jose / Event informationDetails checked Nov 3, 2026

WHEN

Friday, Dec 11, 20261:00 PM – 2:00 PMView schedule & details ↓

WHERECenter for the Performing Arts255 South Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113View map & directions ↓

ADMISSIONSJDT lists $19/person general admission and $9/person for Title I schools; confirm the final price and fees at checkout.All ages welcome; designed especially for toddlers, preschoolers and children ages 0–10.

Tickets & current prices ↗

Once Upon a Nutcracker artwork with a snow-globe illustration, snowflakes, San José Dance Theatre credit and the date December 11. — Supporting source artwork; edition and attendance unconfirmed. Once Upon a Nutcracker, December 11.

WHEN TO GO

Dates & times

All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles

Friday, Dec 11, 20261:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Session & booking times

Friday, December 11, 2026. The public event listing starts at 13:00; Eventbrite lists doors at 12:30 and an approximately 55-minute performance, with its event window shown as 13:00-14:00. The organizer also lists a 10:00 school/group performance on the same date. Confirm updates directly with the organizer or box office.

Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗

Once Upon a Nutcracker: A First Ballet Visit in San Jose

At Once Upon a Nutcracker, intermission is part of the introduction: families hear about the production and some of the backstage work behind it. San José Dance Theatre presents excerpts, not the full ballet, making this a shorter option for young audiences encountering ballet for the first time.

A short introduction, not the full ballet

SJDT describes the performance as excerpts from its full Nutcracker, running about 55 minutes. It is designed especially for toddlers, preschoolers and children ages 0–10, though people of all ages are welcome. The organizer says young viewers will encounter ballet dancing, costumes and Tchaikovsky’s music as part of an educational presentation.

That distinction matters if your family is choosing between a first look and the longer production. SJDT lists separate full-length Nutcracker performances on Dec. 12 and 13, and identifies that run as the 60th Jubilee Anniversary of The Original San Jose Nutcracker.

Further reading: Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker | Visit San Jose ↗ · Events from December 12 – December 13 – San Jose Dance TheatreSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗

The intermission has a teaching role

During the break, the presentation gives families a chance to learn about the production and a few backstage details. It adds context to the excerpts rather than asking young viewers to follow a full-length ballet.

The Holiday Boutique is open after the performance for browsing and souvenir purchases. SJDT also says its Nutcracker boutique is open during the school performance, so school groups have the same opportunity to visit it.

Further reading: Once Upon a Nutcracker | Visit San Jose ↗ · Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker: Family Friendly ballet for all ages! Tickets, Friday, December 11 • 1 PM - 2 PM | Eventbrite ↗

Once Upon a Nutcracker title and San José Dance Theatre credit over a stage scene with ballet dancers in pale tutus. — Organizer imagery; edition/date unconfirmed. Once Upon a Nutcracker, presented by San José Dance Theatre. Credit: sanjose.org.

THE PROGRAMME, AT A GLANCE

Two sessions for different audiences

The 10 a.m. performance is listed for schools and groups; the 1 p.m. session is the public show. That division matters when booking: school and homeschool groups use SJDT’s reservation process, while the public performance is listed on Eventbrite.

Friday, December 11, 2026 · Center for the Performing Arts

10:00Once Upon a Nutcracker — school/group performance
13:00Once Upon a Nutcracker — public performance

Check the organizer’s latest programme ↗

BEFORE YOU GO

Plan your visit

When

Friday, December 11, 2026

SJDT lists a 10 a.m. school/group performance and a 1 p.m. public performance. Eventbrite says doors for the public show open at 12:30 p.m. It lists the event window as 1–2 p.m.; SJDT describes the performance as approximately 55 minutes, so the exact finish time is not specified.

Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker | Visit San Jose ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker: Family Friendly ballet for all ages! Tickets, Friday, December 11 • 1 PM - 2 PM | Eventbrite ↗

Audience

Designed for young children; all ages welcome

SJDT says the performance is designed especially for toddlers, preschoolers and children ages 0–10. All age groups are welcome.

Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker | Visit San Jose ↗

Admission

Confirm the final amount at checkout

SJDT lists general admission at $19 per person and tickets for Title I schools at $9 per person. Eventbrite displays an aggregate price range of $0–$22.04 without clarifying the final amount for a particular ticket. Check the booking checkout for the price and any fees.

Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker: Family Friendly ballet for all ages! Tickets, Friday, December 11 • 1 PM - 2 PM | Eventbrite ↗

Tickets and refunds

Public tickets and group reservations use different routes

The public performance is listed on Eventbrite. Eventbrite says refunds are available up to seven days before the event.

TRAVEL & ARRIVAL

Getting to the theater

Center for the Performing Arts

The confirmed destination is the Center for the Performing Arts, 255 South Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113. The event and venue listings do not specify a designated entrance. Use the linked map directions to calculate a route from your own starting point; the supplied pages do not list transit routes.

Once Upon a Nutcracker | Visit San Jose ↗ · Center for the Performing Arts | Visit San Jose ↗ · Once Upon a Nutcracker: Family Friendly ballet for all ages! Tickets, Friday, December 11 • 1 PM - 2 PM | Eventbrite ↗

Parking

The venue lists various paid lots, metered spaces and free street parking as close as half a block from the Center. The listing does not give parking rates or availability.

Center for the Performing Arts | Visit San Jose ↗

Plan your route in Google Maps ↗

USEFUL ANSWERS

Before you make a plan

Is Once Upon a Nutcracker the full ballet?

No. SJDT describes it as excerpts from the full production, lasting about 55 minutes. The separate full-length Nutcracker performances are listed for Dec. 12 and 13.

Once Upon A Nutcracker - Children’s Nutcracker in San Jose, CaliforniaSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗ · Events from December 12 – December 13 – San Jose Dance TheatreSan José Dance Theatre | Ballet School and Performing Company ↗

Which session is open to the public?

SJDT lists the 10 a.m. performance for schools and groups and the 1 p.m. performance for the public. Eventbrite lists doors at 12:30 p.m. for the public show.

What are the listed ticket prices?

SJDT lists $19 per person for general admission and $9 per person for Title I schools. Eventbrite displays an aggregate range of $0–$22.04; check checkout for the applicable price and fees.

Does the public show have a live orchestra?

The supplied information does not confirm accompaniment for the 1 p.m. show. SJDT says the 10 a.m. school performance has no live orchestra and directs people seeking orchestral accompaniment to the full-length performances.

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