Dance Centre Kenya presents The Nutcracker, Kenya National Theatre, Nov 20–29, 2026, Coast Tour Dec 5 & 6

The Nutcracker poster: Dance Centre Kenya presents The Nutcracker, Artistic Director Cooper Rust. Kenya National Theatre, Nov 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2026. Coast Tour Dec 5 & 6, 2026. Tickets from KES 1,200 at KenyaBuzz.
Get tickets Show times

Early bird prices end Thursday 12 November

--Days
--Hours
--Mins
--Secs

Adult tickets go from KES 2,000 to KES 2,500 on 13 November.

Every year since 2015

A Nairobi Christmas tradition

Dance Centre Kenya has staged The Nutcracker every year since 2015. For a lot of families in Nairobi, it is how the Christmas season starts.

On Christmas Eve, Clara is given a nutcracker doll. That night it comes to life, fights the Mouse King, and takes her through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets.

Tchaikovsky's score is played live by an orchestra in the pit.

Children in party dresses reach up toward the nutcracker doll held high at the Christmas party
Since 2015Performed every year
Live orchestraTchaikovsky's full score
14 shows10 in Nairobi, 4 on the coast

For all ages

Bring the whole family

The Nutcracker works for every age. Young children follow the story through the dancing, the costumes and the music, and grown-ups get a full classical ballet with a live orchestra.

Many families come back every December, and for a lot of children it is their first trip to the theatre.

Young dancers in pastel party dresses dancing in front of a Christmas tree and wreath
Child ticketsFrom KES 1,700 in Nairobi
Groups of 10KES 15,000 early bird, about KES 1,500 each
Daytime showsWeekend matinees, plus a 10:00 AM show on Sat 28 Nov

Before the daytime shows

The Sugar Plum Tea Party

Join the Sugar Plum Fairy for tea before the show. Children get to meet the cast, take photos with the dancers in costume, and every child gets a cupcake.

Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi

Dates & show times

Friday
Nov 20
  • 7:00 PM
Saturday
Nov 21
  • 3:00 PM
  • 7:00 PM
Sunday
Nov 22
  • 1:00 PM
  • 4:30 PM
Saturday
Nov 28
  • 10:00 AM
  • 3:00 PM
  • 7:00 PM Gala Night
Sunday
Nov 29
  • 1:00 PM
  • 4:30 PM
The full cast in colourful costumes in front of the candy castle in the Kingdom of Sweets

Nairobi tickets

Tickets

Early bird until 12 November

All performances

Every Nairobi show except Gala Night

Adult
Child
Group of 10Price for all 10 tickets

Gala Night

Saturday 28 November, 7:00 PM

Gala ticket
Group of 10Price for all 10 tickets

Booking for a group over 20? Contact us on marketing@dancecentre.co.ke to arrange large group tickets.

Buy on KenyaBuzz
The Snow Queen lifted above a circle of snowflake dancers in white tutus, framed by red stage curtains

Mombasa · 5 & 6 December

Coast Tour

After Nairobi, the production travels to the coast for two days of shows.

Saturday · Cinemax Nyali
Dec 5
  • 2:00 PM
  • 6:00 PM
Sunday · Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort
Dec 6
  • 1:00 PM
  • 6:00 PM
Act 2 only

Coast tickets

Early bird until 26 November

Adult
Child
Group of 10Price for all 10 tickets

Booking for a group over 20? Contact us on marketing@dancecentre.co.ke to arrange large group tickets.

Buy coast tickets
The Nutcracker · Nov 20–29Early bird from KES 2,000
Tickets