ENB's Nutcracker
London Coliseum · 2 hours including interval · Suitable for all ages
Who it's for: Suitable for all ages. Allow 2 hours including interval. Cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Tickets available nowPrice from£31.25
About ENB's Nutcracker
Book Nutcracker tickets in London
Buy Nutcracker tickets for London and see English National Ballet's festive favourite return to the London Coliseum. Tchaikovsky's score is performed live by a full orchestra with more than 100 dancers and musicians taking part. The story is set in an Edwardian London sweet shop on Christmas Eve: Clara visits Drosselmeyer's Sweets and Delights Emporium, finds an enchanted Nutcracker doll, and is swept from a battle of toy soldiers and the Rat King into the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a celebration in her honour.
Choreographed by ENB Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Arielle Smith, the production premiered in 2024 and has become a Christmas season fixture at the Coliseum. It is designed for families and first-time ballet visitors as much as for regular dance audiences, with clear storytelling, vivid designs and familiar musical numbers. For a wider London shortlist, start at the London tickets hub and then return here to pick your Nutcracker date.
What to expect at ENB's Nutcracker
The production runs for approximately 2 hours, including one interval of around 20 minutes. That shape suits an evening with children as well as adults: enough spectacle in each half, with a break long enough for a drink or a quiet reset. Recommended age is 5 and above. Children under 5 are not permitted at standard performances; the family-friendly performance on 9 January 2027 welcomes younger children.
The 2026/27 season runs from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 at the London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES. Nearest Tube stations include Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Covent Garden. Arrive with time for entry checks; the Coliseum is a large house and popular festive performances fill the foyers early. Venue details and other titles sharing the building are collected on the London Coliseum page.
Live orchestra is central to the experience. The Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy variation and the Kingdom of Sweets divertissements land differently when the pit is playing in the room with you. Costumes and scenic transformations carry Clara from the sweet shop into the enchanted world without turning the evening into a lecture on Edwardian London. If you want another classical story ballet in the same theatre later in the season, compare Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet while you are planning dates.
How to buy Nutcracker tickets
Ticket prices and availability vary by performance and seating category across the Christmas and New Year period. Weekend and school-holiday dates often move first, so choosing a preferred week before you browse seats can save time. Check the exact start time and seat notes at checkout, then complete your order on tickadoo to receive Nutcracker tickets for London.
Families often combine the ballet with an afternoon in Covent Garden or a riverside walk before the evening performance. Keep travel buffers around Tube transfers, especially on busy December evenings when the West End is crowded. Once your plans are set, book Nutcracker tickets through tickadoo and get ready for Tchaikovsky live, a full ENB company and a festive night at the London Coliseum.
Why you'll love it
- ✓See English National Ballet's Nutcracker at the London Coliseum
- ✓Tchaikovsky's iconic score performed live by a full orchestra
- ✓Story set in an Edwardian London sweet shop on Christmas Eve
- ✓Follow Clara's adventure past toy soldiers and the Rat King
- ✓Journey through a shimmering enchanted world in the second act
Good to know
Duration
2 hours including interval
Age
Suitable for all ages
Cancellation
Cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
Know before you go
Venue Location: The London Coliseum is at St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES. The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line).
Age Guidance: Recommended for ages 5 and above. Children under 5 are not permitted in the auditorium.
Arrival Time: Arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain to collect tickets, drop coats at the cloakroom and settle into your seats.
Bag Policy: Large bags and rucksacks are not permitted in the auditorium. Small handbags are allowed and may be subject to security checks.
Interval: There is one interval of approximately 20 minutes. Bars and refreshment areas are located on multiple levels. Pre-ordering drinks can save queuing time.
Photography: No photography or recording during the performance. Souvenir photos are permitted during curtain calls.
Accessibility: The London Coliseum offers wheelchair accessible seating, accessible toilets, ramps and assistive listening devices. Contact tickadoo when booking to arrange accessible tickets.
London Coliseum
The London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES, UK
Audience reviews
“Audiences praise ENB's Nutcracker for its candy-bright Edwardian designs, a live orchestra that fills the Coliseum with warmth and a clear storyline that keeps children engaged from start to finish. The snow scenes and Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux draw particular praise, and families love the festive atmosphere as a seasonal tradition.”
Summary of 418 visitor reviews aggregated from booking partners.
Frequently asked questions
How long is ENB's Nutcracker at the London Coliseum?▾
The production runs for approximately 2 hours, including one interval of around 20 minutes.
When does ENB's Nutcracker run in 2026?▾
The 2026/27 season runs from 17 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 at the London Coliseum.
What age is suitable for the Nutcracker?▾
The production is recommended for ages 5 and above. Children under 5 are not admitted to the auditorium. The two-hour running time with an interval works well for younger audience members.
Who choreographed this production of Nutcracker?▾
This production is choreographed by ENB's Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Arielle Smith. It premiered in 2024 with set and costume designs by Dick Bird.
Is there a live orchestra?▾
Yes. The English National Ballet Philharmonic performs Tchaikovsky's full score live at every performance.
What should I wear to the Nutcracker?▾
Smart casual is perfectly appropriate. There is no strict dress code, though many families enjoy dressing up for the occasion.
How do I get to the London Coliseum?▾
The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line). All are within a five-minute walk.
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