Skip to content
Hero30

The Nutcracker

11.01.2026
2:00 pm
Theatre at the Aegi

The ballet "The Nutcracker" is based on Alexandre Dumas' version of the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Tchaikovsky's musical version was premiered on 18 December 1892 in St. Petersburg under the choreography of Lev Ivanov and delighted children and adults alike.

The art of classical ballet has often been highly praised by critics all over the world. But as the saying goes: "Better seen once than heard a hundred times". Experience the wonderful ballet "The Nutcracker" with the International Festival Ballet and Hungary Festival Orchestra.

Marie takes centre stage. She receives a nutcracker as a present from her godfather Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. As she goes to sleep, she dreams of a battle between the toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker and the army of the Mouse King. With her help, the Nutcracker is victorious and is then transformed into a prince. The prince travels with Marie to the realm of sweets. The journey takes them through the fir forest to Zuckerburg Castle, where the resident sugar fairy throws a party in honour of her guests. In addition, the magnificent set design by the brilliant theatre designer Vjatscheslav Okunev, who has worked for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and La Scala in Milan, beautiful costumes and the boundless elegance and carefree lightness of the International Festival Ballet ensemble ensure a dreamy and fairytale-like version of a classical ballet that continues to fascinate even after more than 100 years.

International Festival Ballet Ensemble dances on artistic director Alex Bogutsky

Since summer 2022 St. Petersburg Festival Ballet a new name.

Shocked and affected by Russia's inhumane war of aggression against Ukraine, the renowned ballet company changes its name and henceforth calls itself "International Festival Ballet".

With this change, the artists express their crystal-clear attitude. The Festival Ballet is an international ballet that thinks beyond all national borders and stands for global understanding and togetherness in the poetry of art, music and dance. Since the beginning of the war, the artists have expressed their stance against Russian aggression through multiple protest actions before their performances. This is why they are now also under threat from Russia. The ensemble, which also includes a large number of Ukrainian artists, sees itself all the more naturally as a Ballet of peace and the cohesion of all people.

The "International Festival Ballet" is a high-calibre ensemble that impresses the world with its rigorous classical elegance, the fresh breath of the twenty-first century and a perfect dance performance. The company consists of 42 dancers. All dancers are graduates of the best Russian ballet schools such as the Vaganova Academy of St Petersburg, the Kiev State Choreographic Academy, the Moscow Academy of Choreography, the Ufa Ballet School and the Perm Ballet Academy. The ensemble has also worked with the best ballet theatres and won numerous prizes and awards at international ballet festivals and competitions. The 42 dancers of the "International Festival Ballet" make up one of the most beautiful and strongest ballet companies and also one of the most renowned in the world.

+ Read more

Aegidientorplatz 2

30159 Hannover

Discover more events

Hannover Living: 350 Jahre großer Garten Herrenhausen© © Lars Gerhardts
Celebrations & Festivals
350 years of the Great Garden - summer anniversary with historical flair
The Great Garden in Herrenhausen is transformed into a magnificent stage for an unrivalled celebration. The occasion is the 350th anniversary of this baroque masterpiece
23.08.2025
Helge Schneider© Meine Supermaus GmbH
Music & Concerts
Helge Schneider
On 5 November 2025, the incomparable entertainer will provide music, madness and lots of laughs in the Kuppelsaal - be there!
05.11.2025
Stadttour Krimi Tour mit dem Rad© HMTG KI
City tours
Hanover's Crime Thriller Tour - by bike from crime scene to crime scene - north-south route
Explore Hanover's dark side on the new exciting route with our crime-themed cycle tour
22.06.2025
Internationaler Feuerwerkswettbewerb, © Sebastian GerhardSebastian Gerhard
Music & Concerts, Celebrations & Festivals , Art & Culture
International Fireworks Competition: Canada
Get your tickets for our Team Canada now.
16.08.2025
Leuchtende Pavillons, Seilbahn und Riesenrad spiegeln sich am Abend im Wasser der Expo Plaza in Hannover.Hassan Mahramzadeh
Fests & Festivals , Fairs
25 years of EXPO Hannover
#Expo2000Revisited: 25 years after the World Expo - How Hannover is utilising and developing the Expo legacy.
Tobi Krell© VDPictures
Shows, comedy & theatre
Tobi Krell
On 4 October 2025, Tobi Krell will amaze the Swiss Life Hall with his interactive family show - an adventure for young and old!
04.10.2025