For a lot of Minnesota families, the holidays do not really start until the curtain goes up on Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy. This year it plays the State Theatre on Hennepin Avenue from Saturday, December 12 through Sunday, December 20, and if you are coming from out of town, a furnished studio downtown is an easy way to turn it into a proper weekend. Here are the dates, what to know before you buy tickets, and how a stay at Oakland’s on 9th fits.
When Is Nutcracker Fantasy at the State Theatre?
According to the Hennepin Arts event page, the six performances are:
- Saturday, December 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13 at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Sunday, December 20 at 3 p.m.
The production is presented by A Dancer’s Place Productions and features Houlton’s choreography, Tchaikovsky’s score, local student and professional dancers with special guest artists, and a 44-piece live orchestra. It is an all-ages show with a recommended age of 3 and up, every child needs their own ticket, and purchases are limited to eight tickets. Groups of ten or more can call Hennepin Arts at 612-373-5665. The State Theatre box office is at 805 Hennepin Avenue.
Why a Furnished Studio Works for a Theater Weekend
A show weekend is more than two hours in a seat. It is a matinee, a nap, an early dinner, a quick change into good clothes, and a plan for the way back. A studio with its own kitchen makes that easier than a hotel room: you can make breakfast, keep the kids’ snacks in the fridge, and leave without watching the clock for a check-out line. Our studios are fully furnished and include WiFi, utilities, heat and free laundry, so a family that arrives with a suitcase and a garment bag has what it needs. See what is included in a furnished studio for the full list.
Getting From Oakland’s on 9th to Hennepin Avenue
Oakland’s on 9th is at 215 South 9th Street and the State Theatre is also in downtown Minneapolis, so you do not need a car for the show. We have not timed the walk, so check a map for your own pace, and build in extra minutes if you are bringing small children in winter coats. The skyway system is one block from our door, but the building is not directly connected to it; you walk a block to reach it. Our skyway guide explains hours and entrances, and Metro Transit’s trip planner can cover any part of the trip you would rather not walk.
Make It a Longer Holiday Stay
The Nutcracker is one of several December dates on Hennepin Avenue. Hennepin Arts also lists NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Orpheum on December 4–5 and Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Orpheum on December 22–24 on its events calendar. If you are staying a few days or a few weeks, pair it with our guides to A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie, the Christkindl Market, the Minnesota Orchestra’s holiday season and our December 2026 things-to-do list. Studios are month-to-month with no contract, so you can book a night, a week or the whole season.
Book Your Stay
There are only six performances, so it is worth settling your dates early. Book a studio online or call us at (612) 314-5124 or email info@oaklandson9th.com, and we will help you find the right fit for your family.
Keep reading: Can You Spend the Holidays in a Furnished Studio in Downtown Minneapolis?