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Atlanta Ballet Kicks Off 2025–26 Season with Balanchine & Peck, Next Up: The Nutcracker

09/17/25

A dazzling start to the season and a look ahead to Atlanta’s most beloved holiday tradition

 

Atlanta Ballet Kicks Off 2025–26 Season with Balanchine & Peck, Next Up: The Nutcracker

A dazzling start to the season and a look ahead to Atlanta’s most beloved holiday tradition

 

Three ballet dancers leap together onstage in green and white costumes.

 

Atlanta Ballet opened its 2025–26 season this September with the breathtaking mixed-repertory program Balanchine & Peck. Performed at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, the three-day event (Sept. 12–14) brought together timeless works from George Balanchine and Justin Peck, setting the tone for a season filled with artistry and innovation.

 

Now, as the curtain closes on that dazzling premiere, audiences are already looking forward to the Ballet’s next big production: The Nutcracker, returning December 6–27, 2025.

 

Ballet dancers in green costumes perform together on a theater stage.
Balanchine & Peck | Photo Credits to atlantaballet.com

A Season Premiere to Remember

 

Balanchine & Peck featured three masterworks:

 

  • Emeralds (from Jewels) — Balanchine’s neoclassical masterpiece inspired by the romance of France.

  • In Creases — Justin Peck’s contemporary debut work set to Philip Glass, performed live on dual pianos.

  • Prodigal Son — A timeless parable of rebellion and redemption, significant in Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin’s career.

 

The program marked the first time Atlanta Ballet performed a selection from Jewels, earning praise for blending ballet’s rich legacy with modern energy.

 

Ballet dancers perform on a starry stage beside an oversized chair and ornate cabinet.
The Nutcracker this holiday season | Photo Credits to atlantaballet.com

Looking Ahead: The Nutcracker Returns in December

 

No Atlanta holiday season is complete without The Nutcracker. Running December 6–27, 2025, this production transforms the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre into a magical winter dreamscape.

 

Here are 10 fun facts about what goes into creating Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker:

 

  1. The giant chair on stage towers 22 feet, 9 inches tall.

  2. Over 2,000 hours are spent preparing more than 250 costumes.

  3. Nine semi trucks haul eight tons of scenery, lighting, and props to the theater.

  4. 212 students perform across the run, each dedicating nearly 100 rehearsal hours.

  5. More than 200 parent volunteers support the production.

  6. Each show needs at least 15 volunteers to operate the Ballet Boutique.

  7. The 3-D Nutcracker billboard on Peachtree Road features a ballerina standing 10 feet tall.

  8. 94 musicians and two conductors perform Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score.

  9. The Boutique offers over 30 types of Nutcrackers, along with holiday gifts and apparel.

  10. It takes 702 people—from staff to volunteers—to bring the show to life every year.


Why It Matters

 

From the artistry of Balanchine & Peck to the magic of The Nutcracker, Atlanta Ballet continues to enrich the city’s cultural scene, offering audiences performances that are both world-class and deeply tied to community tradition.

 

Mark your calendars now for The Nutcracker (Dec 6–27, 2025) at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Experience the beauty, the scale, and the holiday magic that has made this production Atlanta’s favorite winter tradition. Visit atlantaballet.com for more details.

 

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Q: When was Balanchine & Peck performed?


A: The season opener ran from Sept. 12–14, 2025 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

 

Q: What’s the next Atlanta Ballet production?


A: The Nutcracker, running Dec. 6–27, 2025, at the same venue.

 

Q: How many people are involved in producing The Nutcracker?


A: Over 700 staff, dancers, musicians, and volunteers work together each year to make it happen.

 

Q: Why is The Nutcracker considered Atlanta’s holiday tradition?


A: Beyond its artistry, the show combines community involvement, dazzling sets, and live music, creating an unforgettable seasonal experience.

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