The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker at Covent Garden
TicketsToSee supplies The Nutcracker 23 December 2026 tickets for the Royal Opera House: the 1.30pm matinee led by Meaghan Grace Hinkis and Luca Acri, and the 7pm evening led by Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball.
Peter Wright’s production has been a Covent Garden Christmas fixture since The Royal Ballet first danced it in 1984, and top-category Stalls, Stalls Circle and Grand Tier seats are among the first to go. Jonathan Lo conducts both.
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OFFICIAL EVENT NAME: The Nutcracker (The Royal Ballet) — EVENT DATE: Wednesday 23 December 2026 — EVENT VENUE: Royal Opera House — EVENT CITY: London — START TIME: 1.30pm matinee and 7pm evening
How and when you get your tickets: your booking is confirmed by email with the performance, seat area and total paid, and secure e-tickets are sent to the lead booker’s email before the performance.
Who Dances at the Matinee and the Evening?
The Royal Ballet and Opera lists this cast for the matinee and the evening on Wednesday 23 December 2026. Jonathan Lo conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Matinee, 1.30pm
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Meaghan Grace Hinkis
- The Prince: Luca Acri
- Clara: Sophie Allnatt
- Hans-Peter / The Nutcracker: Leo Dixon
- Herr Drosselmeyer: Aiden O’Brien
This is Meaghan Grace Hinkis’ only public performance as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the run. Sophie Allnatt also dances Clara on Wednesday 16 December evening and Monday 21 December.
Evening, 7pm
- Sugar Plum Fairy: Yasmine Naghdi
- The Prince: Matthew Ball
- Clara: Marianna Tsembenhoi
- Hans-Peter / The Nutcracker: Liam Boswell
- Herr Drosselmeyer: Téo Dubreuil
Yasmine Naghdi also dances the Sugar Plum Fairy on Saturday 19 December. Marianna Tsembenhoi also dances Clara on Thursday 3 December and Tuesday 8 December.
Casting is published by the Royal Ballet and Opera and can change.
When Does the Curtain Go Up, and Where Will You Sit?
- Matinee: starts 1.30pm, finishes at about 3.50pm
- Evening: starts 7pm, finishes at about 9.20pm
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes including one interval. Seats are in the Orchestra Stalls, Stalls Circle or Donald Gordon Grand Tier, generally grouped in pairs, and your seat area is confirmed when you book.
Before You Go to Covent Garden
- Suitable for ages 5 and over; every child needs their own ticket and must sit next to an accompanying adult.
- Flashing lights and dry ice are used in this production.
- Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD. Nearest Underground: Covent Garden.
Nutcracker Questions Answered
Who dances at the matinee and who at the evening?
At the 1.30pm matinee Meaghan Grace Hinkis dances the Sugar Plum Fairy with Luca Acri as the Prince and Sophie Allnatt as Clara. At the 7pm evening it is Yasmine Naghdi with Matthew Ball, and Marianna Tsembenhoi as Clara. Casting can change.
What time do the matinee and evening start?
The matinee starts at 1.30pm and finishes at about 3.50pm. The evening starts at 7pm and finishes at about 9.20pm, each including one 30-minute interval.
When will I receive my tickets?
Your booking is confirmed by email, and secure e-tickets are sent to the lead booker’s email before the performance.
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