Volusia Civic Ballet's Nutcracker is Dec. 5-6 at the Peabody, tickets on sale Oct. 16. Plus Mannheim Steamroller, a symphony holiday concert, A Texas Carol.

The Volusia Civic Ballet dances “The Nutcracker” at the Peabody Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, and tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. The same season brings Mannheim Steamroller to the Peabody on Nov. 12, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society’s holiday concert on Dec. 5 and “A Texas Carol” at Daytona Playhouse.

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. Dates, times and prices come from each venue’s own page, linked. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Box offices

  • Peabody Auditorium: 600 Auditorium Blvd., Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; online through AXS, the Peabody’s ticket partner. Groups of 10 or more: 386-671-3472.
  • Daytona Beach Symphony Society: News-Journal Center box office, 221 N. Beach St., 386-226-1888
  • Daytona Playhouse: 100 Jessamine Blvd., 386-255-2431
  • Parking: our getting around and parking page

The Nutcracker, Dec. 5-6

Show When Doors Length
Family Series 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 1 p.m. Just under an hour
Full ballet 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 6 p.m. Two acts
Full ballet 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 1 p.m. Two acts

The Volusia Civic Ballet’s cast has more than 90 dancers from studios across Central Florida, with guest artists from Boston Ballet in the two full shows, the Peabody says. The Family Series is a narrated, shorter version with scenes from Act I and all of Act II, and it has no guest artists.

  • Tickets: on sale Friday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. through AXS and the Peabody box office. The Peabody had not published ticket prices when we checked; online orders carry service charges.
  • Holiday cocktail and wine reception: $30 a person, adults only, before the Saturday evening show, with hors d’oeuvres and two drinks.
  • Children’s Sugar Plum Tea: $25 a person, for children and the adults with them, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. A show ticket is also needed, and space is limited.

More holiday shows

  • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Peabody Auditorium, part of the Broadway in Daytona Beach series. Doors at 6 p.m.; on sale now through AXS. Peabody Auditorium
  • Orlando Philharmonic Holiday Concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St. Holiday favorites, presented by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, the same night as the Nutcracker’s evening show. Single tickets are on sale. Daytona Beach Symphony Society
  • “A Texas Carol,” Daytona Playhouse, 100 Jessamine Blvd., Dec. 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Thursdays to Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, Dec. 19. $25 adults, $24 seniors 55 and older and veterans, $15 youth. Daytona Playhouse

We will add any other Nutcracker or holiday production in Daytona Beach when its venue publishes dates. Tell the newsroom about one we missed.

What this means for you

  • Nutcracker tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m.; the teas and the reception have limited space.
  • Saturday, Dec. 5, is the busiest arts night of the season, with the Nutcracker at the Peabody and the symphony’s holiday concert downtown.
  • Christmas parades, tree lightings and light displays are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting and holiday lights pages.

Related: arts and exhibitions this month and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Nutcracker in Daytona Beach in 2026?

The Volusia Civic Ballet dances The Nutcracker at the Peabody Auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, with a shorter Family Series show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, according to the Peabody.

When do Nutcracker tickets go on sale?

Friday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m., through AXS, the Peabody’s ticket partner, and at the Peabody box office, the auditorium’s event pages say. The Peabody had not published ticket prices when we checked.

What is the Nutcracker Family Series?

A narrated show of just under an hour, with several scenes from Act I and all of Act II, the Peabody says. It does not include the guest artists from Boston Ballet, who dance only in the full shows on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Is there a Sugar Plum Tea?

Yes. The Children’s Sugar Plum Tea is a $25 add-on that needs a show ticket. It runs at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Space is limited.