A magical and beloved holiday tradition returns when the Civic Ballet of SLO presents Lorilee Silvaggio’s The Nutcracker in the Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo on Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14 ($32 to $84 at pacslo.org).
“Clara is about to have the night of her life, and so will you,” the Civic Ballet announced. “Join Uncle Drosselmeyer, Mother Ginger, and the Sugar Plum Fairy as Clara travels to the Land of Sweets on a very special Christmas Eve.”
This annual production has been going on for 40 years, and even after choreographer and Civic Ballet director Lorilee Silvaggio’s death in late 2020, the tradition has endured … usually to sold-out audiences—so don’t wait till the last minute for tickets.
“Lorilee Silvaggio’s The Nutcracker is filled with all the pageantry, magic, and wonder that have made this one of the most enduring holiday traditions around the globe. Featuring a full live orchestra, sterling production values, and San Luis Obispo County’s finest dancers, this is a ballet experience you won’t want to miss,” organizers announced.
The OperaSLO Grand Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Brian Asher Alhadeff will perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that has become synonymous with the holiday season. ∆
This article appears in Dec 4-14, 2025.