What happens when Tchaikovsky’s beloved Nutcracker meets the history of 1840s Fort Vancouver?
Columbia Dance’s original Fort Vancouver Nutcracker brings classical ballet together with the real people, places, and stories of the Pacific Northwest. A holiday party in Dr. McLoughlin’s dining room, Oregon Trail children arriving by covered wagon, fur trappers, beavers, dancing wapato, and a mystical abalone moon all become part of a story inspired by the history of the region. The production was created through historical research and collaboration with local historians and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, resulting in a distinctly Pacific Northwest interpretation of a familiar holiday classic.

More than 100 student dancers and guest artists bring the production to life each year. Columbia Dance is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 1989, providing high-quality dance training and performance opportunities, with some dancers continuing into professional dancing careers.
Since the Fort Vancouver Nutcracker debuted in 2021, more than 28,000 audience members have experienced the production.

Tickets: Adult $29, Senior/Youth $24