Madison Ballet
The Nutcracker
Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 21
Overture Hall
Runtime
2 hours, including one intermission
Age Recommendation
5 and up
This holiday season, Madison Ballet invites audiences to “Re:Discover” the magic, wonder and timeless beauty of “The Nutcracker.” Our 2025 production brings Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score to life with stunning choreography, lavish costumes and a dazzling cast of dancers from our company, school and community, under the glorious Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra conducted by Maestro Andrew Sewell. Whether you're continuing a cherished family tradition or discovering “The Nutcracker” for the first time, this production promises something for everyone — from the sparkling Snow Queen to the enchanting Land of Sweets. Join us at Overture Center for the Arts and let the spirit of the season sweep you away.
Join a pre-curtain performance by Suzuki Stings in Overture Hall Main Lobby on Saturday, December 13 at 6pm.
Upcoming Dance Events
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March 28
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda Madison Ballet
Rotunda Stage
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the Madison Ballet like never before! Audience members will have an up-close experience of a ballet class warm up, barre practice, center floor work and choreography rehearsal.
Multiple Showtimes -
April 3 - April 5
Dance, Family Friendly, Madison Ballet ChoreograpHER
Starlight Theater MYARTS
The highlight of our 2025/26 season is a bold celebration of the female choreographic voice. Although women have long been the faces of ballet, they remain vastly underrepresented in choreography —especially women of color.
Multiple Showtimes -
April 4
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda Trinity Irish Dance Academy
Overture Hall Main Lobby
Get ready for a high-energy showcase that will leave you breathless! In this performance, you’ll witness the incredible talent of Trinity students, some as young as 3.5 years old, as they bring traditional Irish steps and vibrant choreography to life on stage.
Multiple Showtimes -
April 10 - April 11
Dance, Free Events Line Breaks Showcase
Promenade Hall
Enjoy back-to-back nights of performance showcases as part of the Line Breaks Festival presented by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI).
Multiple Showtimes -
April 11
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Limanya Drum and Dance
Rotunda Stage
Performing traditional music from Guinea and Mali, West Africa, Limanya Drum and Dance Ensemble incorporates song, dance, drum and theater into high-energy entertainment for all audiences.
Multiple Showtimes -
April 16 - April 19
Dance, Family Friendly, Kanopy Dance Divine Mythologies
Promenade Hall
Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble and Kanopy Dance collaborate on a rare remarkable performance of Anna Sokolow’s epic “Odes," a luminous, searing vision of humanity, unsparing in its demands for intense physical concentration and dramatic depth.
Multiple Showtimes -
April 18
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Duke Otherwise
Rotunda Stage
Don’t miss the wildly entertaining Duke Otherwise! This playful wordsmith, spirited performer and captivating tap dancer brings music and laughter to audiences of all ages.
Multiple Showtimes -
May 8 - May 10
Dance, Family Friendly, Madison Ballet Innovation II
Promenade Hall
In this invigorating artistic initiative, the dancers of Madison Ballet step into the role of choreographer, creating new works on one another.
Multiple Showtimes -
May 16
Saturday
Dance, Family Friendly, Kanopy Dance The Next Generation of Dance
Promenade Hall
Watch the next generation of dancers and choreographers in Kanopy’s pre-professional training program, Kanopy 2 and the Kanopy Academy, ignite the stage with new ideas, new expressions and even original choreography and costuming developed and built by the dancers themselves.
Multiple Showtimes