The Nutcracker

Lyric Theatre, QPAC

Lyric Theatre, QPAC

#Your holiday favourite returns for one final season.


Celebrate our final season of Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker with us! 

Perfect entertainment for the whole family, our festive favourite returns for one last year to enchant Queensland audiences with its sparkling winter wonderland. Choreographed by Ben Stevenson OBE and featuring the original Tchaikovsky score played live by Queensland Symphony Orchestra, this cherished Queensland Ballet tradition is in its thirteenth and final season. 

It’s Christmas Eve and under tinsel and twinkling fairy lights, young Clara and Fritz are gifted new toys. But a visit from the mysterious Dr Drosselmeyer puts plans in a spin. When the clock strikes 12, nothing is as it seems! Clara and the Nutcracker Prince journey across a Lemonade Sea to the Kingdom of Sweets for a midnight rendezvous featuring all the character favourites, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mother Ginger and more.  

This hugely popular ballet has been captivating audiences across the globe for more than 120 years. Queensland Ballet’s production was created by Ben Stevenson OBE in 1976 and premiered for Brisbane audiences in 2013. Don’t miss our most cherished annual tradition with the whole family one last time.


Please note: This performance uses strobe lighting and theatrical haze and smoke effects. The performance on 7 December 2025 is performed to recorded music. Recording by Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Voices of Birralee, conducted by Nigel Gaynor. 

#“…a Christmas tradition that will open your mind – and your heart”

Courier Mail

#“It is a wonderful introduction to the art form for both young and old… A joyous Christmas season for all!”

Dance Australia

#“The wintry wonderland of Queensland ballet's The Nutcracker is a perfect antidote to Brisbane’s already sweltering summer.”

Limelight
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Price

2025 Season Packages available from 1pm AEST on Friday 15 November 2024.

Single tickets on sale from Monday 9 December 2024.


Grande Season tickets from
Adult$112
Concession$96
Petite Season tickets from
Adult$119
Concession$102
*Based on midweek pricing

Fees

When purchasing a Queensland Ballet Season Package a transaction fee of $5 applies per transaction.

Ticket fees may apply at checkout, as per QPAC Terms and Conditions.

Venue
Lyric Theatre
QPAC

Cnr Grey & Melbourne Streets
South Brisbane
QLD 4101


Accessibility
Audio Described
Relaxed Performance

Duration

Approximately two hours, including one 20-minute interval.

December

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1 2 3 4 5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
13
14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
  • Q&A
  • Relaxed
  • Audio Described
  • Recorded Music
Select Session
Ben Stevenson OBE

Ben Stevenson OBE

Choreographer

Nigel Gaynor

Nigel Gaynor

Music Arranger and Conductor

Desmond Heeley

Desmond Heeley

Costume Designer

Noelene Hill

Noelene Hill

Associate Costume Designer

Thomas Boyd

Set Designer

David Walters

David Walters

Lighting Designer

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Live Music Partner


#watch video


Plan your visit

Everything you need to know about the QPAC Lyric Theatre before you visit. Make sure you're prepared so you know where to eat, park, and how to get there.

Post-performance Q&A

Saturday 6 December 2025, 1.30pm

Auslan interpreted post-performance Q&A panel discussion with creatives and dancers.

Relaxed performance

Friday 12 December 2025, 1.30pm

This tailored performance will have relaxed theatre rules to accommodate for all audience members of various abilities.

Audio described performance

Saturday 13 December 2025, 1.30pm

Our Audio Described performances offer patrons who are blind or low vision an understanding of what is happening visually on stage to complement their theatre experience.

Children's Christmas Workshops

6 - 13 December 2025

These workshops for children explore characters, storytelling and ballet moves from The Nutcracker.

Centre Stage Experience

Saturday 6 December 2025

​​Adults of all skill levels are invited to take part in The Nutcracker inspired dance and adapted repertoire class onstage at QPAC's Lyric Theatre.


Image gallery: Queensland Ballet performing The Nutcracker. Photography by David Kelly. 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and perform. Long before we performed on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders — past, present and emerging — and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.

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