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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, towards creating a better Queensland.

  • …
  • What’s On
  • 2023
  • The Nutcracker 2023
  • Ballet
  • Dance

qbthenutcracker23 The Nutcracker Queensland Ballet Ballet, Dance Queensland Ballet The Nutcracker

Must close 20 Dec
Playhouse
Buy Tickets
$128 - $180 *
* A transaction fee of $7.20 applies.
2 hours
including interval, subject to change without notice

Overview

Celebrate the most magical and popular of holiday traditions as Queensland Ballet presents The Nutcracker.

The festive favourite returns for its eleventh year to captivate Queensland audiences once again with a dazzling winter wonderland where anything is possible. Fireplaces crackle, snowflakes flutter, and enchanted toys come alive to frolic and play to delight families of all ages this Christmas season.

It’s Christmas Eve and when the clock strikes twelve, nothing is as it seems! Follow Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they journey across a Lemonade Sea to the Kingdom of Sweets, for a midnight rendezvous of delectable delights and mesmerizing entertainment. Featuring all the character favourites: the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, Drosselmeyer, and more, this is ballet magic at its best.

Steeped in history, the original Russian classic version of The Nutcracker was first presented in 1892. Queensland Ballet’s production was choreographed by renowned choreographer Ben Stevenson OBE in 1976, and premiered for Brisbane audiences in 2013 – Artistic Director Li Cunxin’s inaugural year with the company.

Share in our magic this Christmas as Queensland Ballet presents its most cherished annual tradition for the whole family.

Presenting Partner – Sealy of Australia 

Important Information

**Matinee performances on 3, 6, 8, 14 and 15 December are performed to recorded music.

Celebrate 40 Years of QPAC and Win!

Purchase a ticket at QPAC in 2025 and go in the draw to win a Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid, thanks to Hyundai – proud Principal Partner of QPAC.

To enter the competition, submit an entry form via the QPAC 40 Giveaway competition page. Terms and conditions apply.

Playhouse Visual and Sensory Guide

The Playhouse Visual and Sensory Guide [PDF, 2 MB] provides information on what you can expect while visiting QPAC.

Official ticketing service for QPAC

QTIX is our official ticketing service with selected packages sold through authorised resellers only. Read more about purchasing tickets online.

Concession

Full Pensioners, Queensland Government Seniors Card, Industry [MEAA] members, Full-time students over 30, Unemployed (National Seniors Ass. not applicable).

Youth

30 years and under at the time of booking.

Child

13 years and under at the time of booking. Children 18 months and over require a ticket.

Family

2 Adults, 2 Children or 1 Adult + 3 Children, must buy 4 tickets.

Great discounts available for groups of 5+ in Premium seating.
Receive a discounted price and 1 complimentary ticket for every 5 tickets booked.
Tuesday to Thursday
Premium Adult $108
Friday to Sunday 
Premium Adult $130

Make a group booking

Great discounts available for school and dance school groups of 10+ in Premium seating.
Receive a discounted price and 1 complimentary ticket per 10.
School and Dance School Group – Students $35
1 free teacher per 10 students
Extra teacher/helpers can purchase a ticket for $35 (Max 2 per 10 paid students).

Make a school booking

Creatives

  • Choreographer Ben Stevenson OBE
  • Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Costume Designer Desmond Heeley
  • Associate Costume Designer Noelene Hill
  • Set Designer Thomas Boyd
  • Lighting Designer David Walters
  • Lighting Revival Designer Cameron Goerg
  • Conductor Nigel Gaynor
  • Music performed by** Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Voices of Birralee

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