In 2016, the Joffrey Ballet premiered its 1893 World’s Fair Nutcracker; 10 years later, it brings all-new immersive projections to the Lyric Opera House

Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair is about to look different onstage. For the first time since its 2016 world premiere, Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker comes back with all-new immersive projections by designer Daniel Brodie. The Golden Statue also gets an upgrade, from a two-dimensional piece to a three-dimensional one.

The Joffrey Ballet will perform the show at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, from December 4 to 27, 2026. Scott Speck, the company’s music director, will conduct the Lyric Opera Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s score live.

Sidenote…

For those looking for other ways to celebrate the holiday season through music and performance, Candlelight it hosting a series of holiday Candlelight concerts in Chicago, including music like ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ by Tchaikovsky and popular carols. Each concert is performed by a live string quartet by the glow of thousands of candles at beautiful venues.

Anyway, a Christmas Eve journey through the World’s Columbian Exposition

Photo: Cheryl Mann

The story follows Marie, who wakes on Christmas Eve to a battle between the Toy Soldiers and the Rat King. A flurry of snowflakes then carries her and her Nutcracker Prince to the fairgrounds of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Along the way they meet an Arabian enchantress, Venetian masked dancers, Chinese dragons and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

The creative team includes set and costume designer Julian Crouch, author Brian Selznick, puppeteer Basil Twist and lighting designer Natasha Katz. Wheeldon adapted the production in 2021 to fit the Lyric’s larger stage. Artistic Director Ashley Wheater says the new projections bring “remarkable depth and detail” to the fair setting.

Schedule. Performances run Friday to Sunday, with extra dates in between:

🎄Dec 4: 7 PM
🎻Dec 5: 2 PM and 7 PM
💫 Dec 6: 1 PM and 6 PM
🎄Dec 10 and 11: 7 PM
🎻Dec 12: 2 PM and 7 PM
💫Dec 13: 1 PM and 6 PM
🎄Dec 16 and 17: 7 PM
🎻Dec 18 and 19: 2 PM and 7 PM
💫Dec 20: 1 PM and 6 PM
🎄Dec 22 and 23: 2 PM and 7 PM
🎻 Dec 24: 2 PM
💫 Dec 26: 2 PM and 7 PM
🎄Dec 27: 1 PM

The Joffrey Ballet is the only official seller. Tickets are available at the Lyric Opera Box Office (20 N. Upper Wacker Dr.), by phone at 312.386.8905, or online at joffrey.org. The company warns about resellers offering overpriced or invalid tickets. This year only, two-show subscription packages for The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty start at $86.

The Nutcracker beyond the stage

🖼️Driehaus Museum (Dec 2 to Jan 3, 2027). The museum will show World’s Fair memorabilia, souvenirs and printed materials from its permanent collection, including pieces from Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company and Gorham Manufacturing Company. The installation will fill the first-floor galleries of the 1883 Nickerson Mansion.

On December 12, from 9:00 AM to noon, costumed Joffrey dancers will join a story time. The museum also plans a World’s Fair scavenger hunt and Nutcracker-themed photo spots.

🍷Langham Nutcracker Tea. The Pavilion at The Langham, Chicago, serves a festive afternoon tea with house teas, sparkling wine and seasonal pastries. Live music and appearances by dancers from the Joffrey’s Grainger Academy are planned for select December dates. See the Langham’s dining page for details.

🍕Robert’s Nutcracker Pizza (Dec 1 to 31). Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company, ranked #35 among the world’s top 100 pizzerias, tops its pie with fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, dates, figs, burrata, speck, pistachios and toasted walnuts. It finishes with Calabrian pepper oil and a balsamic glaze. You can order it for dine-in or as a Nutcracker Pizza Kit.

🍦Oberweis Nutcracker Peppermint Swirl. The limited-edition sugar cookie ice cream with a crimson peppermint ribbon returns this December. Oberweis first made it for the show’s 10th anniversary. You can get it during performances at the Lyric, at Oberweis scoop shops and at select grocery stores.

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company is the presenting sponsor of The Nutcracker. AARP and Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company are production sponsors, and The Langham, Chicago is the official hotel partner.