The Making of The Nutcracker tour
The Making of The Nutcracker tour
The Making of The Nutcracker tour
Step into a world of festive enchantment with our exclusive 75-minute backstage tour followed by a festive drink, for ages 12+.
Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker like never before. This exclusive behind-the-scenes experience takes you deep into the creative heart of the Royal Opera House, revealing the hidden artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that bring this timeless holiday classic to life.
Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker like never before. This exclusive behind-the-scenes experience takes you deep into the creative heart of the Royal Opera House, revealing the hidden artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that bring this timeless holiday classic to life.
If you have any access requirements for your tour, please contact tours@roh.org.uk after booking so we can deliver the necessary arrangements.
Looking to have this tour as private experience for you and your group? Or perhaps you need this tour run in a different language? We offer bespoke private tours to suit you. Find out more about booking private tours.
On the day of your tour, you will receive 10% off in the Royal Ballet and Opera Shop and Royal Opera House café. Simply show your tour ticket at the till, valid on the day of your tour. Two days after the tour, you'll receive an email providing one month's access to RBOStream for £1.00.
Discover more tours, how to get to the tour venues and in-depth accessibility information.
Background
From the earliest design sketches to the final, awe-inspiring set, you’ll journey through the full creative process that makes The Nutcracker a festive tradition. Highlights include a rare visit to the backstage area, where iconic scenery, such as the beloved Christmas tree, is carefully prepared for each performance. You'll also explore the prop-making workshop, the ballet rehearsal studio, and other rarely seen spaces where magic takes shape.
A special moment awaits on the iconic Bridge of Aspiration, which elegantly links The Royal Ballet School to the Opera House. Pause for a photo with views over the twinkling lights of festive Floral Street, a memory to treasure.
After your tour, relax with a complimentary festive drink in one of our beautifully decorated spaces. Choose from a glass of house wine, mulled wine, gin and tonic, or beer, or opt for a premium soft drink from London Essence.
To complete your experience, take home an exclusive Nutcracker-themed gift, lovingly crafted and only available through this tour, a keepsake to remember a magical day at the Royal Opera House.
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Important information about your tour
- The meeting point for this tour is the Ground Floor cloakroom of the Royal Opera House.
- Latecomers will not be admitted.
- As the Royal Opera House is a working theatre each tour provides unique experience and content may vary according to what spaces are available on the day.
- Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of five are not allowed on our tours, this includes babies and children in pushchairs.
- We may be using headsets on our tours to amplify the voices of our guides so you don’t miss any information. All equipment is fully sanitised after each tour. You can use your own headphones if you wish. Please note headphones need to have a standard jack connection to be used with our devices.
- Contact-free bag checks will be in operation when you enter the building.
Access Information
This tour takes you through different areas of the Royal Opera House, including long corridors, stairs, escalators and lifts. The flooring is also different depending on where you are in the building – some floors are smooth and tiled or wooden, some are carpeted.
Because we are a working theatre, there are areas that won’t always be available to us, which means each tour will take a different route. The spaces we travel through can sometimes be busy and loud. Some routes may include views from a height.
Our tour guides use descriptive language which helps to paint a picture for blind and vision impaired visitors.
Please get in touch at boxoffice@roh.org.uk after booking to let us know your access requirements so we can make sure you have the best experience on your visit. We can help plan the tour if you require step-free and wheelchair access, if you prefer to avoid areas with views from a height, if you need to use the hearing loop or if you need to take regular breaks. Unfortunately, our hearing loops aren't compatible with Bluetooth.
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Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)