The House on Helm &

The Dance Centre of Elizabethtown

PRESENT 

The First Annual Nutcracker Tea

A Magical Afternoon of Tea, Treats, and Ballet

Saturday, December 5, 2026

3:00 - 4:30 PM

Step into The Land of the Sweets for an intimate holiday experience where the magic of The Nutcracker comes to life!

The House on Helm and The Dance Centre of Elizabethtown invite you to an extraordinary afternoon of ballet, exquisite holiday surroundings, and a delicious four-course tea. Unlike a traditional ballet performance, this special gathering brings guests and dancers together for an up-close experience filled with personal interaction, enchanting performances, and memorable moments.

Enjoy selections from Act II of The Nutcracker as dancers perform just steps away, mingle with guests, pose for pictures, and sign keepsake autograph books. The afternoon concludes with a special appearance by the Sugar Plum Fairy and professional photographs together on the red carpet.

Each year the performances and theme of the event will change to showcase different performers from the beloved ballet. Whether you're celebrating with your parent, grandparent, child, or the entire family, we hope this becomes a treasured holiday tradition for years to come!

Only 100 tickets are available for this intimate experience!

Your Afternoon in the Land of the Sweets

A Four-Course Tea of Savories & Sweets

Enjoy a beautifully presented, four-course afternoon tea featuring an assortment of savory finger foods, delicate sandwiches, and festive sweets inspired by The Land of the Sweets. Our menu combines the elegance of a traditional formal tea with playful, child-friendly favorites, making it just as enjoyable for our youngest guests as it is for the adults accompanying them. Expect beautiful tiered presentations, thoughtful holiday touches, and a delicious balance of sweet and savory selections. Tea and a sparkling mocktail complete the experience.

An Up-Close Experience with the Dancers

This is more than an opportunity to watch ballet—it's a chance to meet the talented dancers who bring the story to life! Throughout the afternoon, guests will enjoy select performances from Act II of The Nutcracker, featuring characters from the Land of the Sweets. Between performances, dancers will mingle with guests, answer questions, pose for photographs, and sign autographs. Each child will receive a specially designed Nutcracker autograph book to collect signatures and add photos to (printed at home) to take home as a keepsake of the afternoon.

A Royal Farewell with the Sugar Plum Fairy

Every magical afternoon deserves an unforgettable ending! Our celebration concludes with a special appearance by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Guests will have the opportunity to join her on the red carpet for professional photographs—a beautiful memory of an afternoon spent in the Land of the Sweets.

Come a Little Early to Shop, Celebrate & Support Young Dancers (And Enjoy a Fun Family Activity)

Guests not participating in ballet makeovers are invited to come at 2:30 pm and will have the opportunity to support a special fundraising initiative benefiting scholarships for students at The Dance Centre. Browse Nutcracker-themed gift baskets available through a silent auction, along with handmade holiday items created by local young artists available for purchase. 100% of the proceeds from these items will help establish a scholarship fund, creating opportunities for more young dancers to pursue their love of ballet. Before taking your seats for tea, enjoy a self-guided scavenger hunt throughout The House on Helm, with prizes awarded to our lucky winners at the conclusion of the afternoon!

Add a Little Extra Magic: Ballerina Makeovers

An Optional Pre-Tea Experience | $25 per Child | 30 Makeovers Available

Before stepping into the Land of the Sweets, let your little ballerina enjoy a magical transformation in the beautiful Bridal Suite at The House on Helm!

Designed especially for our youngest ballet enthusiasts, this charming experience includes:

• A ballerina tutu to wear and take home

• A classic ballerina bun, topped with a sparkling tiara

• A little ballerina sparkle, finished with a sweet touch of light blush and sparkling lip gloss (This is not an elaborate makeup or grown-up glamour, but just a little sparkle, a pretty hairstyle, and the excitement of dressing up like a real ballerina!)

• A special pre-tea experience to make the afternoon feel even more memorable

Suggested ages: Approximately 2–9 years old, with the experience especially suited to our younger guests.

Makeover Time Preferences & Arrival Details

To give every little ballerina her moment to shine, makeovers will take place in three small-group sessions before the tea begins, with up to 10 girls participating in each session.

PREFERRED MAKEOVER TIMES:

• 2:00 PM

• 2:15 PM

• 2:30 PM

Only 30 makeover spots are available, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

When registering, families may indicate their preferred makeover time. We will do our best to accommodate each request; however, preferred times are not guaranteed until a confirmation is received by The House on Helm. Final makeover appointment times will be determined by registration order and availability.

Your child's confirmed arrival time will be communicated before the event so you can plan your afternoon accordingly.

PLEASE NOTE: The ballerina makeover is an optional $25 add-on and requires a separate ticket to the Nutcracker Tea.

Continue the Magic: The Dance Centre’s

2026 Full Length Performances of The Nutcracker

Our intimate tea celebration offers a special opportunity to meet the dancers and experience selected performances from Act II, but it is not a full-length production of The Nutcracker.

We invite you to experience the complete ballet presented by The Dance Centre on December 18–20, 2026, at the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center.

Visit thepac.net for performance information and tickets.

Make This Holiday Season One to Remember

With just 100 tickets available, we encourage you to reserve your place early and add an optional ballerina makeover before those limited appointments are filled!

We can't wait to welcome you to The Land of the Sweets!