This event is now SOLD OUT

Enjoy a festive treat for all the family with a magical performance of The Nutcracker in York Minster’s spectacular Nave. The perfect introduction to classical music.

Immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky’s winter wonderland set on a cold Christmas Eve, brought to life on the cathedral’s Grand Organ. Hear the twinkle of the Sugar Plum Fairy and join the epic battle against the Mouse King as local children’s actress Gemma Sharp from Hoglets Theatre takes us on a journey to the land of sweets with the help of Ben Morris, York Minster’s Assistant Director of Music.

Expect a beautiful handmade puppet, spectacular organ music, imaginative storytelling and plenty of Christmas magic.

The performances will take place on Saturday 9 December, at 2pm and 7pm and will each last approximately one hour. Children are encouraged to bring a toy with them and are welcome to come dressed in their pyjamas ready for bed, but remember to wrap up warm! A buggy park will be available.

Tickets for the family concerts are now on sale HERE or by calling our Bookings Team on 01904 557200. Tickets cost £8 for an adult and £6 for a child. A family ticket of £22 for two adults and two children is also available. Children over the age of two need their own seat.

The performance is recommended for ages 5 to 95!

Doors will open at 1pm for the first performance and 6pm for the second performance.

Organist and narrator details:

Ben Morris – Organist

Benjamin Morris is Assistant Director of Music at York Minster. In this role, he plays for services and accompanies the choir in the Minster’s daily cycle of music, in concerts, tours, recordings and broadcasts, and assists in the training of the boy and girl choristers.

Prior to this, he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with First-class honours in Music. Before starting university, Ben spent a year as Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral.

With recent venues including Sage Gateshead, Selby Abbey, Leeds Town Hall and Westminster Cathedral, Ben is active as a soloist for recitals and other performances. He has performed as organ soloist under Sir Roger Norrington, Howard Shelley, Paul McCreesh, and Sir Stephen Cleobury, and has played organ and harpsichord continuo alongside His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, The Saraband Consort and Britten Sinfonia. He is a prizewinning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Gemma Sharp – Narrator

Gemma Sharp is an actor, writer and Theatre Maker based in York.

Gemma is Artistic Director of Hoglets Theatre, a company she created after 15 years professional experience working in the Theatre and becoming a mother.

Hoglets Theatre specialise in creating original performances and storytelling experiences for pre-school and primary aged children, producing work that can be performed anywhere: theatres, libraries, festivals, car parks and even cathedrals.

Hoglets Theatre have previously worked with Rural Arts, Bradford Literature Festival, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and have recently become an associate company of York Theatre Royal.