Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet Is Coming to Albuquerque, Kiva Auditorium

Albuquerque, NM– Albuquerque audiences can celebrate the holiday season with NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday, November 27, 2026. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.

The beloved holiday production brings its 34th annual North American tour to Albuquerque, blending classical ballet with avant-garde circus techniques, daring acrobatics, larger-than-life puppetry and the timeless music audiences have made part of their annual holiday tradition.

The international ensemble unites performers from esteemed ballet capitals around the world in a spectacular reimagining of the classic story, carrying the universal holiday message of peace to audiences of all ages.

Acclaimed choreographer Viktor Davydiuk brings his visionary Artistic Directorship to the production, originating from Kyiv, Ukraine. Seamlessly blending classical ballet with avant-garde circus techniques, he reimagines the staging for fresh and exciting visual storytelling. In the second act, Clara, accompanied by her loyal companion, Sweets the Dog, explores the moving “Land of Peace and Harmony,” culminating in the “Doves of Peace” acro-adagio, a powerful, symbolic scene embodying unity and understanding. During Clara’s journey, she will be guided by the Herald, a Cyr Wheel artist performing acrobatic feats while manipulating a large, single metal hoop. They will explore the joyous celebration of five of the world’s great heritages, most notably a daring hand-balancing performance during the beloved and renowned Arabian number, magnificent 10-foot-tall animal puppets, and graceful handheld birds constructed by renowned South African artist Roger Titley.

“At its heart, this show is built around the warmth and magic of the holiday story. While we honor the technical foundation of classical ballet, we bring the stage to life through vibrant color, incredible puppets, and dynamic staging” says Davydiuk. “By focusing on expressive feeling over rigid ballet standards, we give this performance a fresh perspective that creates a joyous family celebration.”

Adding to the magic, this year’s production debuts an epic, handcrafted Rat King puppet created by Broadway and film fabrication studio Costume Armour, Inc. Drawing on Japanese Bunraku puppetry techniques, the larger-than-life creature features a four-foot-wide mouth and massive articulated claws operated independently by three dedicated puppeteers. This towering creation combines fine sculpture with realism, turning the iconic villain into a breathtaking stage spectacle. This combination of classical ballet with thrilling puppetry and stunt-based elements creates an unforgettable and distinct experience that sets Talmi Entertainment’s production apart from any other Nutcracker production today.

Headlined by principal dancers from Ukraine’s esteemed opera houses and featuring a troupe of 40 exceptional artists from around the globe, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet honors the cherished tradition of the classic holiday favorite. Ballerinas Karyna Shatkovskaya and Elena Pechenyuk reprise the iconic role of Clara, bringing the timeless story to life with exquisite grace and skill. The production maintains the beautiful choreography and artistic integrity that audiences expect from a classical ballet, ensuring a nostalgic and heartwarming experience for all ages. Talmi Entertainment’s NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is the largest touring production of its kind, with performances in many of North America’s most iconic theaters, including San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre, Detroit’s Fox Theatre, New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre, and NYC’s United Palace.

Driven by a larger purpose to make world-class dance accessible to wider audiences and communities, tickets have been conscientiously priced at an affordable level for families, ensuring that the magic of live theater remains a shared tradition. Additionally, the professional international troupe will share the stage with a vibrant local children’s cast through their “Dance With US” program. This unique partnership gives young talent a rare opportunity to perform alongside world-class artists, providing local audiences with a hometown element to celebrate and invite children to engage directly with a valuable, community-based cultural experience.

“The NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet brings the magic of the holiday season to audiences who often aren’t able to connect with the ballet,” shared Dan Talmi, Executive Producer of Talmi Entertainment. “Viktor Davydiuk’s visionary choreography acts as the spectacular foundation for our daring acrobatic artistry and creative family-friendly elements.  Our dedication to pushing creative boundaries and engaging audiences of all ages with incredible puppets and innovative set designs from world renowned artists, ensures we create an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.”

For more information, visit nutcracker.com.

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Talmi Entertainment proudly serves as the exclusive representative for NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet’s North American Tour, captivating audiences in over 85 cities annually. With a legacy rooted in pioneering artistry and a commitment to transcendent storytelling, the company continues to redefine the boundaries of classical ballet, enchanting audiences worldwide for over three decades. “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet ushers in a new era of artistic innovation and creative exploration,” founder, Akiva Talmi (producer, composer, and recipient of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Richard Rodgers, and Leonard Bernstein Awards).  www.talmientertainment.com

About The Kiva Auditorium

The stunning Kiva Auditorium is where the “Stars” shine bright in Albuquerque. George Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Jerry Seinfeld and Norah Jones have all graced the stage in one of New Mexico’s most beloved entertainment destinations.  Located on the upper level of the West Complex, the Kiva Auditorium boasts a proscenium stage and half-round seating for 2,300 people, making it an elegant but intimate setting for concerts, comedy shows, lectures, general sessions or graduations.