The Magic of Christmas Takes Center Stage as The Nutcracker Comes to Samsung Performing Arts Theater
July 16, 2026
Every holiday season brings with it cherished traditions, and few are as enduring as The Nutcracker. This December, Filipino audiences will have the chance to experience the timeless Christmas ballet in a new setting as Ayala Land, Circuit Makati, and Samsung Performing Arts Theater, with the support of GCash, present the beloved production at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for the very first time.
Running from December 11 to 13, 2026, the landmark staging brings together the artistry of Ballet Manila, the country's premier classical ballet company, and Steps Dance Studio, one of the Philippines' largest dance schools. The collaboration promises a grand holiday spectacle that celebrates the magic, wonder, and imagination that have made The Nutcracker a treasured Christmas tradition for generations.
Ballet Manila | Photo by Jyllan Bitalac
Originally premiering in 1892 with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's iconic score, The Nutcracker continues to captivate audiences worldwide through its enchanting storytelling and breathtaking choreography. The ballet follows young Clara, whose Christmas Eve gift—a beautifully crafted Nutcracker doll—transports her into a magical adventure filled with toy soldiers, the fearsome Mouse King, the sparkling Kingdom of Snow, and the dazzling Land of Sweets.
For its inaugural staging at Samsung Performing Arts Theater, the production boasts an accomplished creative team led by internationally acclaimed production designer Gino Gonzales, whose sets and costumes will bring the ballet's magical world to life. Joining him is renowned lighting designer Monino Duque, whose atmospheric lighting promises to transform the stage into a festive dreamscape, while acclaimed ballet coach and choreographer Jeffrey Espejo restages the beloved classic for a new generation of audiences.
As the holidays draw near, The Nutcracker invites audiences to rediscover the childlike wonder of Christmas through one of the world's most beloved ballets.
Tickets are now available through TicketWorld.
Photos courtesy of SPAT.