Lower School · Pre-Academy, Pre-Junior 1 & Pre-Junior 2
2026 Nutcracker &
Holiday Schedule
Rehearsal, performance, and cast information for City Ballet of Maryland's Lower School dancers.
Good to know: Lower School dancers learn their Nutcracker choreography during regularly scheduled classes. There are no additional choreography-learning rehearsals.
Calendar
Rehearsals & performances
Times shown in Eastern Time.
| Date | Event | Lower School schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct. 30 | Halloween Nutcracker Run-Through | Pre-Academy + PJ1: 6:00-7:00 PM PJ2: 6:00-8:00 PM Halloween costumes welcome + costume contest |
| Fri, Oct. 30 | Halloween Party — Pre-Academy & Pre-Junior 1 | 7:00–8:00 PM Following rehearsal |
| Fri, Oct. 30 | Halloween Party — Pre-Junior 2 & Up | 8:00–9:30 PM Following rehearsal |
| Mon–Sat, Nov. 2–7 | Costume Preview Week (see more details below) | During regularly scheduled classes |
| Mon–Sat, Nov. 9–14 | Costume Pickup & Picture Week (see more details below) | All class sections attend their division’s picture time below |
| Mon, Nov. 9 | Picture Day & Costume Pickup | Pre-Junior 1 — all class sections: 5:00–6:00 PM Pre-Academy — all class sections: 6:00–7:00 PM |
| Tue, Nov. 10 | Picture Day & Costume Pickup | Pre-Junior 2 — all class sections: 5:00–6:00 PM |
| Mon–Sat, Nov. 16–21 | Parent Observation Week | During regularly scheduled classes |
| Tue, Nov. 24 | Festival of Trees Rehearsal | 5:00-7:00 PM Optional · signed-up dancers only |
| Sun, Nov. 29 | Festival of Trees Performance | 2:30 PM Optional · signed-up dancers only |
| Sat, Dec. 5 | White Marsh Holiday Parade | Call time: 9:00 AM Parade start: 10:00 AM Lower School dancers + participating families |
| Tue, Dec. 8 | Dress Rehearsal In costume | Pre-Academy + PJ1: 6:00-7:00 PM PJ2: 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Thu, Dec. 10 | Final Dress Rehearsal In costume | Pre-Academy + PJ1: 6:00-7:00 PM PJ2: 6:00-8:00 PM |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | Rest Day | No rehearsal |
| Sat, Dec. 12 | The Nutcracker | 1:00 PM show Monday Pre-Academy class, Pre-Junior 1 & Pre-Junior 2 |
| Sat, Dec. 12 | The Nutcracker | 6:00 PM show Pre-Junior 2 only |
| Sun, Dec. 13 | The Nutcracker | 1:00 PM show Saturday Pre-Academy class, Pre-Junior 1 & Pre-Junior 2 |
November preparation
Costumes, pictures & family updates
Costume Preview Week | November 2–7
Dancers will try on their costumes during their regularly scheduled classes. We’ll take a quick preview photo to share privately with you so you can see your dancer in costume and view the fit. If any adjustments or exchanges are needed, we’ll notify you after Costume Preview Week. Families whose costumes are still arriving will also receive an update. Costumes will remain at the studio until picture week.
Costume Pickup & Picture Week | November 9–14
All class sections attend together. Every dancer in each division attends the costume pickup and picture session listed below, regardless of their regular class day. For example, both Monday and Saturday Pre-Academy dancers attend on Monday, November 9, 6:00–7:00 PM.
Dancers should arrive with their hair and makeup fully completed. Costumes will be waiting at the studio, and dancers will change before pictures. Costumes and packages will go home following each dancer’s picture session or Saturday dress rehearsal.
- Pre-Junior 1 — all class sections: Monday, November 9, 5:00–6:00 PM.
- Pre-Academy — all class sections: Monday, November 9, 6:00–7:00 PM.
- Pre-Junior 2 — all class sections: Tuesday, November 10, 5:00–6:00 PM.
Hair & makeup
Hair: Ballet bun.
Makeup: Light foundation, silver eyeshadow, mascara, enhanced eyebrows, pink blush, and red lipstick.
Parent Observation Week | November 16–21
We look forward to welcoming parents into their dancers’ regularly scheduled classes to see their progress and enjoy a glimpse of what they’ve been learning. Class-specific observation details will be shared before the week begins.
The Nutcracker
Lower School cast
Mice
Candy Canes
with Mother Ginger
Please read
What you need to know
Festival of Trees is optional and only applies to dancers who signed up. The performance is confirmed for Sunday, November 29 at 2:30 PM.
Lower School attends the October 30 Halloween run-through and does not attend the December 3 rehearsal.
During show week, Lower School attends Tuesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 10 only.
Pre-Academy + Pre-Junior 1: 6:00-7:00 PM for run-throughs and dress rehearsals.
Pre-Junior 2 — all class sections: 6:00-8:00 PM for run-throughs and dress rehearsals.
Pre-Academy performances: Monday's class performs Saturday, December 12 at 1:00 PM. Saturday's class performs Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 PM. Pre-Junior 1 and Pre-Junior 2 perform in both 1:00 PM shows. The Saturday 6:00 PM show is Pre-Junior 2 only.
Lower School does not participate in the Ronald McDonald House performance.