Getting ready forthe Academy of Music: Philadelphia Ballet's Sensory-Friendly Nutcracker.
Philadelphia Ballet's one Sensory-Friendly Performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker this season is Saturday, December 26, 2026 at 12 pm at the Academy of Music, with house lights kept on low, lower sound, a quiet area in the Canteen on the lower level, headphones and fidgets to borrow, and pre-visit stories to read ahead.
Sensory supports. Dec 26 sensory show, quiet area, headphones to borrow.
Hours
The Sensory-Friendly Performance is on the date card. The full Nutcracker runs December 4 to 31, 2026, at the Academy of Music. Doors generally open 40 minutes to 1 hour before the show (the ballet and the hall give different times), so plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes early. The Academy of Music Box Office opens two hours before each ballet performance.
240 South Broad Street (Broad & Locust Streets), Philadelphia, PA 19102
“Guests are free to talk, leave their seats, and move freely during the performance.”
“A designated safe/quiet area within the theatre (Canteen located on the lower level of the Academy of Music).”
“House lights will remain on (at a low level) in the theatre auditorium during the performance”
The Nutcracker story guide says the Mouse King wears a costume with many mouse heads and has a sword fight with the Nutcracker Prince, and that in Marie's dream the tree, the presents and the mice are big.
The hall's pre-visit story says ushers wear red jackets, the elevator is small, there are many staircases, and the toilets flush with a handle.
The wheelchair-accessible restrooms are on the Canteen level, the same level as the quiet area, and an elevator goes there.
The lobby before the show (it might be crowded and noisy)not stated
Clapping (people clap for a short time)not stated
The restrooms (the sound of the flushing toilet can be loud)not stated
Leaving at the end (the aisle and lobby may be crowded)not stated
Quieter, in the ballet's words
The safe/quiet area in the Canteen, on the lower levelquiet zone
The lobby, once the show has startedquiet zone
Tickets: buy online, by phone at 215.893.1999, or at the Academy of Music Box Office. For this performance the ticket page shows $35.25 to $291.48 per seat, with $4.00 to $31.23 in fees included in each price. On refunds and exchanges the ballet says it will try to be flexible but cannot guarantee a refund or exchange in every case; contact Audience Services at 215.893.1955 (Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm) or AudienceServices@EnsembleArtsPhilly.org.
ACCESS: with code PBACCESS, up to four $2 tickets to select Philadelphia Ballet performances, online or by calling 215.893.1999, picked up at the Academy of Music Box Office with a valid photo ID and a valid Art-Reach ACCESS Card or Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT Card. Tickets are limited; if the code shows no seats, the limit for that show has likely been reached.
Personal Care Attendant: a guest with disabilities who needs a paid PCA gets a PCA-Pass at no cost with a paid ticket. Ask for it with your tickets at 215.893.1999 or audienceservices@ensembleartsphilly.org; the guest and the PCA pick it up at the Box Office no sooner than two hours before the show.
Accessibility requests: call 215.893.1999 or email audienceservices@ensembleartsphilly.org no later than two weeks before the performance. The Academy's wheelchair-accessible entrance is on the south side of the building.
Sensory Friendly Kits (noise-canceling headphones, two fidget toys and a weighted bean bag, in adult and child sizes) are at every performance, first-come, first-served: ask House Management at the venue.
Bags: large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside; purses, handbags and satchels are, and may be inspected. There is no storage for prohibited items. Guests with disabilities, medical needs or other specific needs can contact Audience Services before the show to arrange accommodations.
Food: outside food is not permitted. Food and drinks are sold in the lobby, there are gluten-free options at this performance, and at Philadelphia Ballet food and drinks in spill-proof cups, lidded hot drinks or capped bottles may go into the theater (no drinks in the front row, AA).
Getting there: the Walnut-Locust stop on the Broad Street Line is closest. The ballet lists garages nearby and says to expect $15 to $40 for parking.
