Hong Kong Ballet’s homegrown production of The Nutcracker is set to return this December, marking its fifth festive season and surpassing 100 performances since its 2021 premiere.
More than 140,000 audience members have experienced the production to date, solidifying its status as one of Hong Kong’s most beloved contemporary stage works.
This year’s edition introduces new local elements—most notably the iconic Star Ferry and two charming additions inspired by Ocean Park’s panda twins, Jia Jia and De De. The panda twins join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince in a dreamlike snowy bamboo forest, a reimagined Hong Kong winter tableau that blends nostalgia with imaginative whimsy.
Artistic Director Septime Webre’s reimagined production departs from the traditional European court setting, placing Clara’s Christmas Eve adventure in a historic Mid-Levels home.
Along her journey, audiences encounter scenes that are unmistakably local: the old KCR Clock Tower, rickshaws, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, shadow puppetry, lion dancing, and dim sum culture, all underscored by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
Celebrated at home and abroad, the production, in 2024, won UNESCO’s Star of Outstanding Award and the Spirit of Culture Award at the 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards.
“‘The Nutcracker’ is a love letter to Hong Kong warmly infused with its history, culture, and natural beauty,” Webre said. By blending classical ballet with local stories and imagery, he noted, the work pays tribute to the city’s spirit with “imagination and heartfelt artistry.”
HKB Executive Director Heidi Lee emphasized the deeper significance behind this year’s cross-sector collaboration with Ocean Park. The two institutions, she noted, share parallel roles in cultural education and sustainability.
“The Nutcracker’s fifth anniversary milestone represents not only HKB’s artistic achievement but also Hong Kong as an international cultural hub,” she said. “This year, our collaboration with Ocean Park and the new Star Ferry set piece brings together two famous local symbols.”
Lee added that while audiences enjoy the ballet’s magic, the production also hopes to spark reflection on conservation and environmental awareness—values shared by both organizations.
“Through this signature production, we aim to connect with both locals and visitors from around the world to experience Hong Kong’s distinctive charm.”
To celebrate the milestone, a Nutcracker exhibition is now open in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre foyer through December 14.
The showcase reveals sketches, concept art, and creative inspirations behind the ballet’s designs. Also on display are collaborative works developed with City University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, as well as a whimsical installation featuring Ocean Park’s panda twins in the snowy bamboo forest.
This year’s run features 22 performances from December 12 to 28 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Most shows from December 12–26 will be accompanied by live music from the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
The ballet’s narrative continues to center on Clara’s coming-of-age journey—her discovery of courage, generosity, and the childlike wonder she must learn to carry into adulthood.
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
Dates: December 12–28, 2025
Venue: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre
Duration: Approximately 2 hours 5 minutes
Tickets: HK$180–HK$1,200
(Half-price discounts available for full-time students and seniors)
Tickets are now available via URBTIX
