The Magic of The Nutcracker: A Tradition That Never Fades

There’s something about The Nutcracker that never fails to cast its spell. No matter how many times I’ve settled into my seat, program in hand, waiting for the overture to begin, I feel that familiar, giddy anticipation. It’s the same feeling I had as a child, eyes wide with wonder as Clara’s world transformed before me. And now, as an adult, I have the privilege of sharing this magic with friends, family, and readers alike.

One of my favorite Nutcracker memories was introducing a dear friend to the ballet for the first time. She had always loved the holiday season—the twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon and pine—but she had never experienced The Nutcracker live. I remember whispering to her before the curtain rose, “Just wait until you see the snow.” And when that moment finally arrived—the swirling flurry of dancers gliding across the stage as snowflakes fell all around them—she gripped my arm, eyes shining. “This,” she said breathlessly, “is pure magic.”

Another time, I brought a group of friends who considered themselves more “Broadway people” than ballet lovers. They expected to be entertained but not necessarily enchanted. That changed the instant the Snow Queen stepped onto the stage, her sparkling tutu catching the light just so, the corps de ballet weaving a winter dreamscape behind her. The crescendo of the orchestra swelled, the snowfall intensified, and I heard the unmistakable sound of delighted gasps around me. By the time we reached intermission, my friends were hooked. “How have we never done this before?” one of them asked. “This is the epitome of holiday magic.”

That’s the power of The Nutcracker. It’s a tradition steeped in nostalgia yet fresh with every performance. It’s the joy of watching a child see it for the first time, the warmth of revisiting a beloved memory, the thrill of witnessing someone fall in love with ballet in real-time. It’s why audiences return year after year, making it a sold-out spectacle in every city.

As the publisher of En Face Ballet Collection, I see firsthand how deeply this ballet connects with audiences. That’s why we dedicate an entire network of magazines to celebrating The Nutcracker—its artistry, its timeless allure, and its ability to transport us to a world where dreams take flight.

If you haven’t yet experienced The Nutcracker, make this the year you do. And if you have, bring someone new along. Watch their face light up as the snow begins to fall. Trust me—there’s nothing quite like it.