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Nutcracker Philadelphia 2026 and Holiday Shows on Broad Street

The Nutcracker in Philadelphia in 2026 runs from December 4 to 31 at the Academy of Music, performed by the Philadelphia Ballet. It anchors a full holiday season on the Avenue of the Arts on South Broad Street, where Marian Anderson Hall also hosts The Philadelphia Orchestra's holiday concerts. Both venues are about a 10-minute walk from The Franklin on Rittenhouse.

Where is the Avenue of the Arts?

The Avenue of the Arts is the stretch of South Broad Street, south of City Hall, that holds Philadelphia's main concert halls and theaters.

• Academy of Music: 240 South Broad Street, home of the Philadelphia Ballet, about 0.3 miles from the hotel.
• Kimmel Center (Marian Anderson Hall): 300 South Broad Street, home of The Philadelphia Orchestra, about 0.4 miles from the hotel.
• Miller Theater: on South Broad Street, a few doors from the Academy of Music.

The Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia program runs all year, but December is its busiest month, when ballet, orchestral and holiday shows overlap on the same few blocks. Free outdoor events on Commonwealth Plaza add to the atmosphere in the evenings.

From The Franklin on Rittenhouse at 1715 Rittenhouse Square, all three venues are within a 10-minute walk east toward Broad Street. No car, no parking and no taxi line after the curtain falls.

When is The Nutcracker in Philadelphia in 2026?

The Philadelphia Ballet performs George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music from December 4 to December 31, 2026, with several performances each week.

The Philadelphia Ballet has made this production a December tradition at the Academy of Music, which opened in 1857 and is the oldest opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose. Its auditorium has an open horseshoe shape. Seats in the upper tiers look down on the stage, while the orchestra level puts you close to the dancers and the live orchestra in the pit.

The run covers the whole of December, including a New Year's Eve performance, so you can choose a weekend early in the month or build it into a festive stay between Christmas and New Year. Matinees suit families with younger children, while evening performances pair well with a pre-show dinner. Performance times and seating are listed on the Philadelphia Ballet's official Nutcracker page.

Holiday concerts at the Kimmel Center and beyond

Ensemble Arts Philly's 2026 holiday calendar adds a series of concerts on the Avenue of the Arts, most of them at Marian Anderson Hall.

• Handel's Messiah: The Philadelphia Orchestra, December 4–5, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall.
• Bach's Christmas Oratorio: December 12–13, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall.
• Pink Martini All-Stars, A Season of Stars: December 14, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall.
• The Glorious Sound of Christmas: The Philadelphia Orchestra, December 17–20, 2026, Marian Anderson Hall.
• The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show: November 21–22, 2026, Miller Theater.

Several free events also take place on Commonwealth Plaza outside the Kimmel Center, including a Silent Night Sing-In on December 11 and Tuba Christmas on December 20, 2026. The full list is on Ensemble Arts Philly's holiday page.

Things to do in Philadelphia in December, beyond the stage

A December performance is easy to combine with the city's other holiday traditions, most of them within walking distance of Rittenhouse Square.

The Christmas Village at LOVE Park and City Hall runs from November 26 to December 27, 2026, and the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park reopens on November 13, 2026. Both are a short walk north of the Avenue of the Arts, so a matinee can be followed by an hour at the market or on the ice before dinner. Rittenhouse Square is lit for the season, and the Friends of Rittenhouse Square host the square's tree lighting each December. Together with the Kimmel Center holiday concerts and The Nutcracker, these events make December the best month for Philadelphia holiday shows and festive weekends.

Planning the perfect theater night

A theater night from Rittenhouse Square needs little planning: an early dinner, a short walk to Broad Street and a nightcap on the way back.

• Dinner: book a table for about two hours before curtain. Many restaurants near the square are used to pre-theater timing. Our luxury culinary travel guide to Philadelphia lists the neighborhood's best tables.
• Timing: leave the hotel about 20 minutes before the performance to walk to Broad Street, collect tickets and find your seats.
• What to wear: there is no formal dress code, but many guests dress up for the holiday season. Bring a warm coat for the walk.
• Daytime plans: museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway make a good afternoon before an evening show. See our arts and culture guide to Philadelphia.

After the show: a nightcap near Rittenhouse

After the performance, the walk back to Rittenhouse Square takes about 10 minutes, and the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. is waiting at the hotel's address.

Walking back along Locust or Spruce Street, you pass the townhouses of Rittenhouse, decorated for the season, before reaching the hotel's quiet residential block. Families with children can head straight up to the room, while couples can stop for a last drink downstairs.

The speakeasy is open until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 2 am on Friday and Saturday, with 10% off for guests who book direct. For other options nearby, see our guide to the finest hotel bars in Philadelphia. To combine a show with the Christmas Village and skating, read our luxury holiday getaway in Philadelphia.

Key Facts

• Hotel: The Franklin on Rittenhouse, 1715 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
• The Nutcracker: Philadelphia Ballet, Academy of Music (240 South Broad Street), December 4–31, 2026
• Holiday concerts: Marian Anderson Hall, Kimmel Center (300 South Broad Street), December 4–20, 2026
• Walking time: about 10 minutes from the hotel to the Avenue of the Arts
• Free events: Commonwealth Plaza, December 11 and December 20, 2026
• Check-in / check-out: 4 pm / 11 am

FAQ

When is The Nutcracker playing in Philadelphia in 2026?

The Philadelphia Ballet performs George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music from December 4 to December 31, 2026. There are several performances each week, including matinees and a New Year's Eve performance. Times and tickets are on the Philadelphia Ballet's official website.

Where is the Academy of Music?

The Academy of Music is at 240 South Broad Street, on the Avenue of the Arts in Center City Philadelphia. It is the home of the Philadelphia Ballet and is about a 10-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square and The Franklin on Rittenhouse.

Can you walk from Rittenhouse Square to the Kimmel Center?

Yes. The Kimmel Center, at 300 South Broad Street, is about 0.4 miles from The Franklin on Rittenhouse, roughly a 10-minute walk. You head east from Rittenhouse Square to Broad Street, so there is no need for a taxi or parking on performance nights.

What are the best holiday shows in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia's signature holiday shows are the Philadelphia Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music and The Philadelphia Orchestra's The Glorious Sound of Christmas at Marian Anderson Hall. Handel's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio complete the classical program in December 2026.

Pair your holiday performance with a stay in Rittenhouse Square. Discover our holiday hotel offers and book directly with The Franklin on Rittenhouse.