City Ballet of San Diego’s award-winning production of the classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” will be performed as part of the Concerts in Your Car holiday programming.

Voted “San Diego’s Best Nutcracker” (San Diego Dance Alliance Tommy Award), and described by the San Diego Union-Tribune as “a plum of a Nutcracker,” City Ballet’s 26th annual Nutcracker returns this season to a new outdoor stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds as part of the Concerts in Your Car series.

Directors Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, formerly of the Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, have created a lavish production with their company of professional dancers. Fashioned after the choreography of the great Russian master, Lev Ivanov, who created the very first Nutcracker more than 100 years ago, the production is dazzling, with virtuoso dancing and opulent costumes. Children’s roles are performed by talented young dancers from the City Ballet School, the official school of City Ballet.

The Nutcracker is the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairy told through a magical theatrical experience to Peter Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography. Let your childhood dreams return and inspire you to imagine a by gone time.

$1 per ticket helps local San Diego charities, Emilio Nares Foundation and Shelter to Soldier.

The show will include a visual light show, multi-media entertainment and a video screens. The combination of an extra high 360 degree stage and screens will ensure a good viewing experience for everyone.

Sound will come through your car stereo, like a traditional Drive-In Theater on your FM radio. Minimal sound will come from the stage. If your sounds system is not sufficient, we recommend bringing a FM radio.

Space is very limited.

All the event information can be found on our website at ConcertsInYourCar.com, please be sure to review FAQs before purchasing and arriving, but here is some info to get you started:

Each ticket is valid for ONE car. The number of passengers must not exceed the number of safety belts /seats in your vehicle.

All tickets are first come, first parked, in the row you purchased and will not be assigned prior to arrival (first come, first parked basis). Parking attendants will direct each driver to a parking space in their designated row upon arrival. To ensure you don’t miss a thing, we added large video screens on each side of the stage.

CDC and State of California guidelines will be followed, and we are working closely with County of San Diego Health Department to ensure this event meets or exceeds all recommended standards. Event staff will be wearing personal protective equipment as required by CDC guidelines.

To be considerate of all attendees we do not allow smoking at this event. Thank you for your understanding.

Portable restrooms will be available onsite. We ask that only two people per car at a time leave the vehicle to use. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines

In the event it is necessary for a fan to leave their vehicle, safe social distancing will be strictly enforced. Failure to follow safe social distancing, or requests of staff members for participants to follow, will cause the participant to be subject to ejection.

Tickets are ONLY available online and in advance.

Your ticket is only valid for the DAY & TIME on the top of the ticket. Nontransferable to another show.

No RVs, buses or Limos allowed.

All lifted trucks and high profile vehicles MUST park in the ORANGE, RED or BLACK sections.

Each ticket is valid for ONE car. The number of passengers must not exceed the number of safety belts /seats in your vehicle.