Three Nutcrackers play the Hylton in Manassas: Virginia National Ballet from Nov. 27, Northern Virginia Ballet Nov. 28 and Manassas Ballet Theatre Dec. 16-23.

Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Dates, times and prices come from the Hylton Performing Arts Center calendar, George Mason University’s Mason Arts calendar and the ARTfactory. Shows sell out; buy through each listing’s ticket link.

Manassas has three Nutcrackers this season, all at the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall. Virginia National Ballet opens the run on Friday, Nov. 27, Northern Virginia Ballet dances two shows Saturday, Nov. 28, and Manassas Ballet Theatre, the Hylton’s resident company, plays 10 performances from Wednesday, Dec. 16, to Wednesday, Dec. 23. Before them, the ARTfactory’s Frozen runs at the Hylton from Nov. 20. Questions about Manassas Ballet Theatre tickets and subscriptions: 703-257-1811.

What this means for you

  • Cheapest Nutcracker seats: $40 for seniors, military and children at Northern Virginia Ballet on Nov. 28; $50 at Manassas Ballet Theatre.
  • School-day matinees: Manassas Ballet Theatre has 3 p.m. shows Monday to Wednesday, Dec. 21-23.
  • Sensory friendly: Frozen at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

The Nutcracker: all three productions

Company Dates and times Tickets
Virginia National Ballet 2 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 $60 to $80 adults; $54.50 to $72.50 children 3 to 11
Academy of Russian Ballet and Northern Virginia Ballet 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 $50 adults; $40 seniors, military, children
Manassas Ballet Theatre Dec. 16 to 23 (below) $50, $60, $70, $80, $90

All three play Merchant Hall, and the Hylton says its prices include fees.

Manassas Ballet Theatre’s performances, from the Mason Arts calendar:

  • 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, Thursday, Dec. 17, and Friday, Dec. 18
  • 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20
  • 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, Tuesday, Dec. 22, and Wednesday, Dec. 23

The company says on its website that it performs with the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Tickets are on its Nutcracker page.

Frozen, Nov. 20 to 29

The ARTfactory Actors Theatre stages Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical in the Hylton’s Gregory Family Theater. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors, students and children, according to the Hylton listing.

  • 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20
  • 10 a.m. (sensory friendly) and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
  • 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27
  • 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29

Holiday concerts

  • A Chanticleer Christmas, 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, Merchant Hall. $45, $60 or $70; half price for students through grade 12 (Hylton).
  • Manassas Chorale: Let Heaven and Nature Sing!, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Hylton (listing).
  • Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas, 2 p.m. (captioned) and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Merchant Hall. $45, $60 or $70; half price through grade 12 (Hylton).
  • American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Merchant Hall. $45, $60 or $70; half price through grade 12 (Hylton).
  • Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Light and Magic, with violinist Mira Nair, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Merchant Hall. $35 adults; free for students and youth (Hylton).

Holiday plays

  • Dashing Through the Snow, Prince William Little Theatre’s holiday comedy set at a Texas inn, in the Gregory Family Theater: 8 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 11 and 18; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19; 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20. $30 adults, $25 seniors, students, youth and military. Recommended for ages 10 and up (Hylton).
  • The Day Before Christmas, a Pied Piper Theatre show at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St.: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. $20 (ARTfactory).

Getting there

The Hylton is at 10960 George Mason Circle, on George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus. The ARTfactory is in Historic Downtown Manassas. For the tree lighting and parade on Dec. 4 and 5, see our Christmas parade and tree lighting page; lights, markets and Santa visits are on holiday lights and Christmas events. Downtown parking and road closures: getting around and road construction and closures.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Nutcracker in Manassas in 2026?

Three companies dance it at the Hylton Performing Arts Center: Virginia National Ballet on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, Northern Virginia Ballet with the Academy of Russian Ballet on Nov. 28, and Manassas Ballet Theatre from Dec. 16 to 23.

How much are Nutcracker tickets at the Hylton?

The Hylton lists $50 to $90 for Manassas Ballet Theatre, $60 to $80 for adults at Virginia National Ballet ($54.50 to $72.50 for children 3 to 11) and $50 for adults at Northern Virginia Ballet ($40 for seniors, military and children). Prices include fees.

Is there a sensory-friendly holiday show in Manassas?

Yes. The 10 a.m. performance of the ARTfactory’s Frozen on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Hylton is sensory friendly. The 2 p.m. Celtic Christmas show on Dec. 6 is captioned.

Where is the Hylton Performing Arts Center?

At 10960 George Mason Circle on George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. Tickets are sold through each show’s listing on the Hylton calendar.