The Nutcracker ballet typically lasts around 2 hours in total, including an intermission, though it can vary slightly by production.
Typical total length
Most full-length stage productions of The Nutcracker run about 2 hours, often split into two acts with one intermission in the middle. Some companies list approximate times between 2 hours and 2 hours 20 minutes, depending on choreography and pacing.
Examples from major companies
Several major ballet companies give specific runtimes for their Nutcracker productions. For example, some list Act I at about 50–55 minutes, a 20–25 minute intermission, and Act II at about 40–50 minutes. Others describe it more generally as a two-act ballet of about 2 hours with one interval.
Concert or film versions
When just the music is performed in concert without staging or intermission, it is usually around 80–90 minutes long. Film adaptations or special shortened family versions may be a bit shorter than standard stage performances.