Holiday Magic Returns to LPAC with Joffrey Ballet School’s Nutcracker and Santa’s Toyland
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (November 19, 2025) — LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY invites families to celebrate the holiday season with a festive double feature: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and a visit to Santa’s Toyland. Presented in partnership with the Joffrey Ballet School’s Children’s and Youth Ballet, the event takes place on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 4 p.m. on LPAC’s Mainstage.
Tickets: General admission is $30; student tickets are $15 (use code “STUDENT”); additional discounts are available on LPAC’s website. Purchase tickets here or visit the LPAC website.
Students from Joffrey Ballet School’s Children’s and Youth Ballet program in collaboration with the Ballet Trainee Program will perform a one-hour, family-friendly adaptation of The Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this timeless ballet tells the story of Clara’s magical journey to break the spell on the Nutcracker Prince—a tale of courage, wonder, and holiday spirit.
After the curtain falls, the celebration continues as families step into Santa’s Toyland, a beloved LPAC tradition for more than 20 years. LPAC’s Little Theater will be completely transformed into a whimsical holiday wonderland, created by veteran technical director Carmen Griffin and the LPAC team, with festive décor, twinkling lights, and joyful music filling the space.
In Toyland, children can meet Santa Claus (portrayed by LaGuardia’s own Robert Lowmark—shhh!), take photos, explore the magical setting, and leave with a special holiday gift from LPAC. Families may also greet the principal dancers of the Joffrey Ballet School as part of the festivities.
“At its heart, this event is about bringing families together. The Nutcracker and Santa’s Toyland have become beloved traditions at LPAC, and we’re thrilled to welcome our community back to experience the joy, imagination, and wonder of the season with us,” said Andrew Ronan, LPAC’s Executive Director.
Location: Ticketholders should enter at 45-50 Van Dam St, Long Island City, NY 11101.
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LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), located at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, is a cultural hub that fosters artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. LPAC is dedicated to providing a platform for dynamic artists and storytellers to create, collaborate, and inspire. Through diverse programming, LPAC continues to support its mission of making the arts accessible to all. It is the stage for productions of the award-winning Theater and Music Performance programs of LaGuardia Community College, as well as works from partner institutions, including Carnegie Hall, Joffrey Ballet School, and the Drama League of New York.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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