Volusia Civic Ballet's The Nutcracker

Witness the Volusia Civic Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” in December at Peabody Auditorium.

In addition to the full-length production, a condensed narrated Family Series show is offered Saturday, Dec. 6. It is suitable for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility and young children. The Family Series is just under one hour and provides a memorable holiday experience with several vignettes from Act I and a full Act II.

The always highly anticipated Children’s Sugar Plum Tea is offered Saturday and Sunday prior to the show. Children ages 3-12 will enjoy sweet confections and other holiday treats in a fairytale atmosphere with beautifully decorated trees and tables. A few of the show characters will make an appearance to pose for photos to enhance the holiday experience. Only a child requires a Tea ticket to attend the Tea with only one adult per child allowed in the Rose Room due to space limitations.

Performances include:

• Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. (Family Series without guest artists)
• Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. (Full 2-act show with guest artists)
• Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. (Full 2-act show with guest artists)

Children’s Sugar Plum Tea:

• Saturday, Dec. 6, at 12:30 p.m. (Show ticket and Tea ticket required)
• Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 p.m. (Show ticket and Tea ticket required)
• Sunday, Dec. 7, at 12:30 p.m. (Show ticket and Tea ticket required)

This event is a collaborative community project with the cast of over 80 performers in this magnificent production from dance studios across Central Florida, with choreography produced by eight choreographers from multiple studios.

Set to the classical music of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the story comes alive when a young girl Clara, performed by Emery Crooke, receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her mysterious magician godfather Herr Drosselmeyer, played by Donovan Mansfield. Drosselmeyer’s young Apprentice, played by Kelan Halloran, befriends Clara and protects her from her naughty young brother Fritz, played by Jayden Dawson and from his rowdy friends.

As she drifts asleep, in her dream a battle ensues between the army of mice led by the Rat King, played by Ralph Medley, and by the Mouse Queen, played by Emma Thomas, against the army of toy soldiers led by her beloved Nutcracker, played by Kelan Halloran. As Clara helps the Nutcracker to overthrow the Mouse Queen and the Rat King, a spell is broken. The Nutcracker is transformed back into a Prince who looks just like her protector Apprentice. To thank Clara for her bravery, the Prince takes her on a journey through an enchanted Snow Forest where they meet a majestic Snow Queen, played by Gabriella Palmer, and a North Star, played by Juliane Carpio.

Traveling through the swirling snowflakes, Clara and her Prince arrive to the Kingdom of Sweets. The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, performed by the guest artists, greet them with sweet confections from exotic lands of Arabia, Spain, Russia, France, and China. The exquisite Dew Drop played by Amelia Palmer enchants Clara and the Prince with the magnificent Waltz of the Flowers. The guest artists will join the cast for the Saturday evening and for the Sunday matinee shows.

During the performances, the Peabody lobby will be transformed into a quaint German village. Patrons can purchase unique Nutcracker gifts from the Drosselmeyer’s Magical Toy Shop and indulge in sweet delights from the breathtaking Kingdom of Sweets Shoppe.

• Address: 600 Auditorium Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
• Phone: (386) 671-3462
• Dates: December 6, 2025 - December 7, 2025
• Recurrence: Recurring daily
• Location: Peabody Auditorium