Appalachian Ballet Company: The Nutcracker with Knoxville Symphony

Appalachian Ballet Company: The Nutcracker with Knoxville Symphony at Knoxville Civic Auditorium

Clara receives a nutcracker, falls asleep, and dreams herself into a battle between toy soldiers and mice, then onward to a kingdom where dancers celebrate her arrival. Appalachian Ballet Company performs The Nutcracker with Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at Knoxville Civic Auditorium on Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Follow the story from a Christmas Eve party into a world where sweets and snowflakes take the stage.

Appalachian Ballet Company has been performing classical ballet in East Tennessee since 1972, regularly collaborating with Knoxville Symphony. The pairing of live orchestra and trained dancers gives this production its appeal. You hear Tchaikovsky’s score played live and watch dancers tell the story without words. The music and movement work together to carry you through Clara's journey.

Bring someone who would appreciate an afternoon of classical performance. A younger family member encountering ballet for the first time. A partner who enjoys live music and theater. December offers many reasons to gather, and this show gives you a reason to make one of those gatherings a shared experience in the arts. The season invites tradition, and this production has been part of East Tennessee's holiday calendar for years.

Let the story bring you together this December. Explore ticket options for Appalachian Ballet Company's Nutcracker and plan an afternoon at Knoxville Civic Auditorium.