The Nutcracker Leaps and Dances into La Jolla

Tis the season for candy canes, gingerbread houses and giftwrapping, but it wouldn’t really feel like December without the ballet.

The holidays are in full swing. Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle and catch The Nutcracker presented by the San Diego Ballet. 

Co-director and co-choregrapher, Javier Velasco is excited to be back performing at UC San Diego’s Mandeville Auditorium. 

“It is our home base, we started performing there 20 years ago and kind of where the San Diego Ballet started,” said Velasco. “It’s not only a tradition, it has more of a meaning to us.”

Velasco told Patch, the Nutcracker will feature dancers from all over the world including Japan, Mexico, and Russia. This year, the ballet will include young and aspiring ballerinas. 

“There are a lot of San Diego kids involved this year. Kids at 5 years old performing and it is a lot of fun for the audience to see these kids perform for the first time,” said Velasco.  

The Nutcracker will have showtimes on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2:30  p.m. and Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. 

Prices are $50 for premium seating, $40 for adults, $37 for military with ID, $37 for seniors 65 and older, $20 for kids 17 or below, and $20 for students with current ID.

Tickets are available for purchase (or as a stocking stuffer) online at sandiegoballet.org.