The Nutcracker Meets 1840s Fort Vancouver

Columbia Dance presents its original Fort Vancouver Nutcracker December 18–20 at Skyview Concert Hall in Vancouver, Washington.

Set in 1840s Fort Vancouver, this production combines Tchaikovsky’s beloved music with the history and imagination of the Pacific Northwest. Beavers, fur trappers, covered-wagon travelers, dancing wapato plants, and a mystical moon all make an appearance in this one-of-a-kind take on the holiday classic.

The Nutcracker is a ballet for all ages. Its fast-paced story, familiar music, and young dancers onstage create an experience that connects children in the audience with the performers they see onstage. More than 100 student dancers take part in the production, which has welcomed more than 28,000 audience members since it debuted in 2021.

There’s something to do before and after the curtain, too. Before the performance, kids can pose as one of the characters in our photo displays or work on a Nutcracker-themed word search. After the show, audience members can meet the performers, get autographs, and take pictures with the dancers.

Presented by Columbia Dance, a nonprofit arts organization founded in 1989, the Fort Vancouver Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition with a distinctly local story.

Make a day of it with a visit to Fort Vancouver, the Vancouver Waterfront, local restaurants, and other holiday activities—or make the performance part of a winter weekend in Vancouver.

December 18–20, 2026
Skyview Concert Hall | Vancouver, Washington

Performances:

December 18th 6pm *Sensory-friendly*