Arts Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker plays The Parker Dec. 18-20 and a touring Nutcracker hits the Broward Center Dec. 28, plus Cirque Dreams Holidaze and Messiah.

Yes, The Nutcracker is on in Fort Lauderdale this year, twice. Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida dances it at The Parker on Dec. 18-20, and a touring production plays the Broward Center on Dec. 28. Tickets for both are sold through the Broward Center’s calendar.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026, against the Broward Center’s own event listings. Ticket prices are on each show’s ticket page; most listings do not print them. Broward Center box office: 954-462-0222.

The Nutcracker

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida: The Nutcracker

  • When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18; 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
  • Where: Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker, 707 NE 8th St.
  • What: the company’s 29th anniversary production, to Tchaikovsky’s score, under artistic director Vladimir Issaev, according to the Broward Center’s listing.
  • Weekday matinees: the same production is in the Broward Center’s Smart Stage Matinee Series at The Parker on Dec. 16-17 (listing).

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

  • When: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28.
  • Where: Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center, 201 SW 5th Ave.
  • What: a touring production with an international cast and puppetry, part of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Imagination Series, the Broward Center says. Everyone needs a ticket; lap tickets for babies 12 months and under are sold at The Parker box office.

Holiday shows by date

  • Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Nov. 27-29, Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center: 4 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Details
  • Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, Wells Hall at The Parker. Details
  • Elf Jr., 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center. Students in grades 4 to 12 from the Broward Center and The Performance Project perform it. Details
  • South Florida Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker. Part 1 of the Messiah, including the Hallelujah Chorus, with the South Florida Symphony Chorus. Tickets from $35. Details
  • A Merry Motown Christmas, Symphony of the Americas with Dionne Warwick, Christopher Jackson and Myles Frost, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center. Details
  • Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center. Details
  • Slow Burn Theatre Co.: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dec. 12-27, Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center. The Dec. 20 matinee is open captioned. Showtimes
  • Kenny G: The Miracles Holiday and Hits Tour, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center. Details
  • Celtic Angels Christmas, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker. Details
  • Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker. Details
  • Jen Kramer’s Magical Holiday Show, Monday, Dec. 28, The Parker. Details
  • Slava’s Snowshow, Dec. 30 to Jan. 3, Broward Center. Details

Hamilton plays the Broward Center Nov. 10-22; it and the rest of the season are on our arts and exhibitions page.

Parking and getting there

  • Broward Center: the A&E District Garage, 101 SW 5th Ave., is across the street. Event parking is $15, paid through ParkMobile or at meters on the first and second floors. Valet at the main entrance is $30 for most shows, or $45 for preferred valet, the Broward Center says.
  • Other garages near the Broward Center: the Broward County Governmental Center Garage, 151 SW 2nd St., and the Riverwalk Center Garage, 150 SE 2nd St. Their owners set the rates.
  • The Parker: at 707 NE 8th St.. The Broward Center lists valet there from $25.
  • Allow extra time on Dec. 12. The Winterfest Boat Parade starts on the New River that evening, the same night as the Vienna Light Orchestra and the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. See our Winterfest Boat Parade page.

City parking rates are on our getting around page, and bridge and lane closures on road construction and closures.

More holiday events

Free tree lightings, Christmas on Las Olas, lights cruises and the menorah lighting are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page. Parades are on Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Send us your show

Running a holiday show, recital or concert in Fort Lauderdale? Send the date, time, venue and ticket link through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Nutcracker in Fort Lauderdale in 2026?

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida dances The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, in Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker. A touring production, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, plays the Broward Center at 3 and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28.

Is there a weekday Nutcracker matinee?

Yes. Arts Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker is in the Broward Center’s Smart Stage Matinee Series at The Parker on Dec. 16-17, according to the Broward Center’s listing.

What holiday shows are at the Broward Center in 2026?

The Broward Center lists Cirque Dreams Holidaze Nov. 27-29, A Merry Motown Christmas with Symphony of the Americas Dec. 5, Elf Jr. Dec. 4-5, Vienna Light Orchestra’s Christmas tour Dec. 12, Kenny G’s holiday tour Dec. 13 and Slow Burn Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Dec. 12-27.

Where can I hear Handel’s Messiah in Fort Lauderdale?

The South Florida Symphony Orchestra plays Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, with the Hallelujah Chorus, and holiday pops at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker. Tickets start at $35.

How much is parking at the Broward Center?

Event parking in the A&E District Garage, 101 SW 5th Ave., across the street, is $15, the Broward Center says. Valet is $30 for most shows.