The State Kremlin Palace is open to audiences and offers a rich and varied programme of opera, ballet, symphonic concerts and gala performances. Located in the very heart of Moscow, this historic venue hosts productions by leading Russian companies and outstanding guest artists, including dancers who have performed on the Bolshoi Theatre stage and artists trained at the same prestigious academies. A visit to the Kremlin Palace is an opportunity to experience world-class performances in one of the most iconic cultural landmarks of Russia.
On December 18 and 19, 2025, at the State Kremlin Palace, the best students of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, which is celebrating its 287th anniversary this year, will present the legendary ballet-fantasy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, in the choreography of Vasily Vainonen.
The production, created in 1934 in Leningrad especially for the students of the school and the young stars of the Leningrad Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (the former Mariinsky Theatre), Galina Ulanova and Konstantin Sergeyev, is today a recognized masterpiece and a true jewel of world choreography.
In an interview given on the occasion of the current tour, the Rector of the Vaganova Ballet Academy, People’s Artist of Russia and principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, said:“Vasily Ivanovich Vainonen’s production is unique — this fairy tale about love and the search for happiness is, in my opinion, the best gift for Christmas and New Year for both children and adults. Its choreography, which merges completely with Tchaikovsky’s music, is beautiful. And speaking of the incredible popularity of The Nutcracker in the 20th and 21st centuries, one should remember that it began precisely with Vainonen’s 1934 production, which we are bringing to Moscow this winter. And one more very important point: whenever choreographers in any country turn to the classical version of The Nutcracker, you can be sure that these are, in one way or another, variations on the choreography created by Vainonen.”
The performances, which have traditionally been held on the stage of the Kremlin Palace, will feature students from junior classes to graduates, working under the guidance of outstanding teachers of the Academy.
The St Petersburg Nutcracker will be presented to audiences at the State Kremlin Palace in bright, magical multimedia sets and will be performed with accompaniment of a symphony orchestra conducted by Valery Ovsyannikov, conductor of the Mariinsky Theatre.
This creative project is carried out as part of the “Priority 2030” Strategic Academic Leadership Program, the largest government project in the history of Russia aimed at supporting the development of Russian universities.
The Rector of the Vaganova Ballet Academy is Nikolai Tsiskaridze, People’s Artist of Russia, laureate of State Prizes, and principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre.
The Artistic Director of the Academy is Zhanna Ayupova, People’s Artist of Russia.