Clara and the Nutcracker | Friday Evening

The Miners Foundry Cultural Center and Holt Ballet Conservatory are pleased to present "Clara and The Nutcracker" in five performances December 11 through 14, 2025.

Enjoy a delightful presentation of holiday cheer and tradition in historical Nevada City with a talented cast of dancers, colorful costumes, magical sets, and the wonderful music of the holidays. The Miners Foundry offers time-honored hospitality and HBC dancers bring vibrant energy and faithful dedication to the art of ballet in this classical favorite.

The Miners Foundry features a no host full bar and treats will be available for purchase.

The Box Office opens one hour before each performance and the doors to the theatre open 30 minutes before each performance. Evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and Matinee performances begin at 1:00 p.m.

Enjoy family time together with this celebration of dance, music, and theater!

Get Tickets! | $35-$45

• Reserved Seating
• Advance Adult Tickets are $40 and Advance Youth Tickets are $35.
• Use promo code Student18 to purchase Student tickets
• Advance Price Closes at 12:00 a.m. the Day of the Performance.
• Door Adult Tickets are $45 and Door Youth Tickets are $40.
• No Refunds Will Be Issued
• Tickets available online, by phone or in person at the Miners Foundry Box Office:325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959, Tuesday – Friday | 10:00am – 4:00pm(530) 265-5040

>> Caution! Don’t purchase tickets online from third party vendors. The Miners Foundry cannot validate, refund or replace tickets purchased through any third party vendors. To be sure you’re purchasing tickets directly through the Foundry, please click the ticketing buttons directly from our website.

Clara and the Nutcracker

Magic’s in the air! The toymaker, Herr Drosselmeyer, has conjured up a Nutcracker doll for his Goddaughter Clara and, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, the toy will come to life to guide Clara on a life changing journey. Christmas parties, dancing mice, toy soldiers, fairy snow storms, a candy-land kingdom of Spanish dancers, Sugar Plum Fairies, and exotic Arabian maidens await Clara in her dreams.

A Victorian story told in a Victorian venue, with a talented cast of dancers, Miners Foundry, in collaboration with Holt Ballet Conservatory, offers this compelling family entertainment December 11, 12, 13, and 14. Five shows with two matinees.

The music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the choreography and sets designed to delight, the hand sewn costumes from overseas as well as local artists, and the classical ballet students and professionals from Holt Ballet, cooperate to create a wonderful story. Since 2012 Holt Ballet with Miners Foundry has brought to life this holiday favorite. Turning the pages of this dancing story book, we are drawn back in time to what seems to be a simpler era. Join Dr and Frau Stahlbaum, Fritz, Nanna, and Clara, at their Christmas Eve party, as the faithful Nutcracker Soldier comes to life and changes Clara’s forever.

Yelena Holt, owner of Holt Ballet and Artistic Director of this event, quotes, “This ballet is quality entertainment, presented in a venue that shouts holiday tradition, old fashioned values and family unity with its Victorian charm: sit by a crackling yuletide log munching on a cookie, sip a mulled apple cider or hot buttered rum, plan a moment to explore the Christmas shopping of Nevada City. You’ll be delighted. Our Nutcracker goes a little deeper than the traditional one. Clara doesn’t sit on a throne and passively survey the dancing of life performed by others, but joins in, and embraces life herself. HBC’s Clara, Sparrow Stone-Francisco, along with our Nutcracker Soldier, Logan Hollmer, Sugar Plum Fairy Kaylee Nicholls, and Cavalier Christopher Selbie, are strong and inspiring young performers. This is a powerful cast. You’ll be happy you came!”

Holt Ballet Conservatory opened in 2011 and specializes in traditional classical ballet training for students aged 3 and up.

Photo credit: Yelena Holt

Contact Info

Please contact the Miners Foundry Box Office at info@minersfoundry.org with questions.

Proceeds from the show provide financial benefit to Miners Foundry and its mission to support local and national talent and celebration. Proceeds also enable Holt Ballet Conservatory to continue to provide professional training in classical ballet to Nevada County’s aspiring dancers.