Pacific Beach-based City Ballet of San Diego’s award-winning production of the classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” returns to the stage at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido with five performances Dec. 21-23.

Voted “San Diego’s Best Nutcracker” (San Diego Dance Alliance Tommy Award) and described by the San Diego Union-Tribune as “a plum of a Nutcracker,” City Ballet’s 29th annual Nutcracker performs at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido for five performances, accompanied by the City Ballet Orchestra conducted by John Nettles.

To embrace holiday traditions, patrons are encouraged to arrive early to hear holiday songs performed by the City Ballet Chorus in the theater lobby.

Directors Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, formerly of the Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, have created a lavish production with their company of professional dancers. Fashioned after the choreography of the great Russian master, Lev Ivanov, who created the very first Nutcracker more than 100 years ago, the production is dazzling, with virtuoso dancing complemented by opulent sets and costumes. Children’s roles are performed by talented young dancers from the City Ballet School, the official school of City Ballet.

All programs are subject to change without notice: Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $119, $99, $79, $59, and $39, with discounts available for students, seniors and military. The Center offers amenities, including free parking. For ballet tickets or more information, call City Ballet’s Box Office at 858-272-8663. Tickets may be purchased at ciudadballet.org or by contacting the box office at California Center for the Arts, Escondido at 800-988-4253 or order at artcenter.org. To avoid the Center’s ticket fees, patrons may purchase at the Center’s Box Office in person Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.