Few holiday traditions are as familiar as The Nutcracker. In Bend, the classic ballet returns to Tower Theatre each December, giving families and visitors another reason to make a holiday trip to Central Oregon.
The 2026 Nutcracker: Symphony of Lights is scheduled for December 14 and December 21 at 7 p.m. at Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. The production is presented by Artistic Space Productions, with reserved seating available for both performances.
For families visiting Bend during the holidays, The Nutcracker can easily become the centerpiece of an evening. Spend the afternoon exploring downtown, grab dinner before the performance, then make your way to Tower Theatre for the show.
There are plenty of other holiday events in Bend throughout December, too. Tower Theatre's calendar includes Swingin' Tower Christmas, a family-friendly holiday production featuring local performers and a live 16-piece big band on December 18–20.
Between performances, visitors can explore Bend's restaurants, breweries, shops, and outdoor attractions. Depending on weather and snow conditions, winter activities around Central Oregon can also become part of the itinerary.
For visitors attending a holiday performance, staying overnight turns an evening at the theater into a full Bend getaway. Riverhouse Lodge offers a riverside setting and puts you within easy reach of downtown Bend and other seasonal attractions.
Whether The Nutcracker is an annual family tradition or you're seeing it for the first time, a December visit offers an easy way to combine a classic holiday performance with a winter trip to Bend.