The Nutcracker returns to Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre for 45th year

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Those looking to embrace the holiday season on the South Coast now have another way to do so. 

The Nutcracker is back at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre this weekend for the 45th time. Santa Barbara Festival Ballet puts on the show with local children, teens and college students, along with professional dancers from San Francisco Ballet. 

Those dancers say they learn from the kids, just as the kids do from them.

“That kind of collaboration is really rare,” said Misa Kuranaga from San Francisco Ballet. “And I think it’s nice that that energy onstage is all becoming together as one.”

“It’s good for dancers, professional dancers especially, to not forget where they come from,” said Angelo Greco, Misa’s dance partner. “So I think it’s really nice for both of us.“

The show will also feature a live orchestra directed by Elise Unruh. 

Shows will be at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are available at the Arlington box office and online on Santa Barbara Festival Ballet’s website. They range from $25-$50 each.