First Look: Photos Reveal Elegant & Adorable Costumes from Children’s Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker ballet is a tradition communities across the globe have enjoyed at Christmas-time for over a century, and the Del Rio Council for the Arts’ (DRCA) Firehouse is keeping with it by bringing the Sugar Plum Fairy and other iconic characters to life again this December.

The Firehouse’s production “The Nutcracker 2025” ballet plays on Saturday, December 20 at Del Rio Civic Center. Ahead of their big day they’ve unveiled photos that reveal both an elegant and preciously-cute glimpse of the all-child cast of ballerinas in-costume. Shot by local photographer Lucas Hernandez, the images grant a sneak peak at recognizable characters from the famed story like the Mouse King and his mice, main character Clara, toy soldiers, Chinese Tea dancers, and the Candy Canes.

The “Nutcracker”, ultimately, tells an imaginative story about being a child during Christmas-time. A young girl named Clara sees toys come alive and sugary treats begin to dance for her after she’s transported away from her bedroom to the Land of Sweets while the rest her family sleeps on Christmas Eve. The show evokes the magic of the Holiday through the lens of childhood wonder, forming an experience endearing enough to become the most popular ballet in the world since its debut in Russia in 1892.

Fast forward to 2025 in Del Rio, TX, the Firehouse’s “Nutcracker” is directed and choreographed by principle dance instructor Grace Kahn, and has a runtime of 90 minutes. Attendees can enjoy one of two showtimes on December 20, 2PM or 6PM. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the Firehouse (120 Garfield Street), or at the door of the show. You can keep up with Del Rio Council for the Arts on Facebook or their website (delrioarts.com) for more local art and culture projects and classes.