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If you're looking for something calm, colourful and festive to do with kids this weekend, “The Nutcracker” is back, but this time at a scaled-down, family-friendly version at Artsdepot in Finchley. Running on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January 2026, this production comes from Let's All Dance Ballet, a company known for its classical ballet.
At just under an hour long and with no interval, it's designed to keep younger attention spans in mind while still delivering all the familiar story beats – Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and a trip to the Land of Sweets, complete with the Mouse King, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy.
The emphasis here is on storytelling and character, rather than grand sets or overly formal ballet traditions. There's also a nice post-show touch where kids can meet the dancers and have photos taken, which tends to be a big hit.
It's not trying to reinvent The Nutcracker, just show it in a way that works for families, making it short, sweet, and easy to enjoy without needing to explain the plot on the way home. They'll be showing it from 3–4 January 2026, making it an excellent option for the final weekend of the school holidays.