THE NUTCRACKER at Ajkun Ballet Company at Ballet Arts Rudolf Nureyev Studio in the historic landmark The City Center

THE NUTCRACKER - NYC Shows: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21

Experience the magical spirit of December with the top show of this Holiday Season at the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Over 100 years of tradition, timeless music and beautiful dances performed live in New York City. Tickets, Events, Upcoming Shows 2025.

Multi-award choreographer Chiara Ajkun reimagines The Nutcracker as an immersive show that blends classical numbers with spectacular dances capturing cultures around the world. To best enjoy the exquisite dancers from the New York City company of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, you are seated feet away from the performance, surrounded by Tchaikovsky’s classical music, and welcome to take videos and photos. Sat & Sun performances at 7:30pm: The Ajkun Ballet Company at the Rudolf Nureyev Performance Space at Ballet Arts (130 W 56th St, NYC).

Journey amid graceful ballerinas, hilarious mice and dancing flowers to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Whether you dreamt to be Clara in the Nutcracker or simply wish to cheer the winter with the festive art of the Ajkun Ballet, you will be making memories to capture with your own videos and photos of the show. The Ajkun Ballet’s Nutcracker is one not to miss!

New in the 2025 Show: This year’s Nutcracker blends classic numbers like the waltz of the Snowflakes with native cultural expressions from around the world, such as a Chinese scene set by Alison Chen, a former dancer with Shen Yun. The number is performed by dancers from the Fei Tian College, Northern Campus. Chiara Ajkun continues to preserve the classical tradition in the Nutcracker ballet while presenting rich heritage and beauty of ancient cultures from around the world.

The Nutcracker was originally commissioned to Chiara Ajkun in 2007 by the Westchester County Arts Supervisor to further contribute to the community’s historical commitment to the arts. Chiara Ajkun’s ballet marked the beginning of a new kind of classics designed specifically for today’s audiences and has delighted thousands of spectators in New Rochelle and New York City. The Ajkun Ballet’s Nutcracker is thoughtfully crafted to be accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages. The production avoids unsettling scenes, and instead of frightening villains, the mice are portrayed as funny, whimsical creatures, sparking laughter and delight—especially among younger viewers.

The Nutcracker is part of The Classics, the repertory of the Ajkun Ballet Company encompassing traditional titles from the 19th and 20th centuries and completed by The Originals, the collection of extraordinary new art by Chiara Ajkun.

Chiara Ajkun is an Italian American choreographer, formerly a principal ballet dancer, and the artistic director of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Chiara has created original choreography for preeminent companies in 27 countries in Australia, Europe, North and South America and for movies produced by ABC, BBC, FOX, RAI national televisions. www.ajkunbt.org/chiara-ajkun