My kid isn't into ballet. Will they still enjoy it?

Most likely. The music is played by a jazz band, the dancing is contemporary rather than classical, and the costumes are bright and playful, so it feels more like a lively show than a formal ballet. At 55 minutes it also ends before attention runs out.

The Liceu recommends it from age 6. Younger kids who can sit still for an hour may be fine, but every child needs a ticket.

Do kids need to understand Catalan or Spanish?

Not much. The story is told mainly through music and dance, so kids can follow it in any language.

How does the family workshop work?

It runs before the performance, is led by artists from the show and helps kids understand what they are about to see. It costs €3 (free for Liceu subscribers), places are limited, and it is only open to families with tickets for the show. Book it separately on the Liceu site.

How much are tickets?

From €10 to €22 depending on the seat. The Liceu takes 20% off when you buy three or more family shows for one to three people.

The Nutcracker Goes Jazz at the Liceu

Name: The Nutcracker Goes Jazz at the Liceu
Start: 2026-11-07
End: 2026-11-08T23:59:59
Location: Gran Teatre del Liceu

Featured inChristmas with Kids in Barcelona 2026

The Nutcracker Goes Jazz at the Liceu photo 2

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PerformanceCiutat Vella54 families interested

Where

Ciutat Vella, Gran Teatre del Liceu

Ages

6+ (best for 6–12)

Duration

55 min

Setting

Indoors

Plan for

An hour, or two with the workshop

Music

Live jazz band playing Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker

Original title

Trencanous-jazz

Music

Live jazz band on stage

Workshop

€3 pre-show family workshop, book ahead

What you need to know

Just 55 minutes, both shows at 11am on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8
Live jazz band on stage, playing Tchaikovsky's melodies with a big cast of dancers
€3 family workshop before the show, led by artists from the production, for ticket holders only

About

The Nutcracker is the classic Christmas ballet: on Christmas Eve a girl's wooden nutcracker comes to life, battles the Mouse King and leads her into a dream world. This version keeps Tchaikovsky's famous melodies but hands them to a live jazz band, so tunes kids may already know come out swinging and improvised. Instead of tutus, a big cast of dancers in bright, playful costumes tells the story through contemporary dance, with the musicians up on stage. It plays in the Liceu's main hall, so it doubles as a first look inside Barcelona's grand red-and-gold opera house.

€10 to €22

Sat, Nov 7

11:00 AM

Sun, Nov 8

11:00 AM

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Where it is

Gran Teatre del Liceu

La Rambla, 51-59

Getting there

Metro: Liceu L3 (1 min walk), Drassanes L3 (6 min walk), Jaume I L4 (7 min walk)
Bus: Rambla del Raval - Hospital (5 min walk), Rambla del Raval - Sant Pau (5 min walk)