Louisville Ballet Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker
Experience the magic of the holiday season in an environment designed to be welcoming, comfortable, and inclusive for individuals with sensory processing differences and their families.
In partnership with community organizations, Louisville Ballet is proud to present a Sensory-Friendly Performance of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker. This specially adapted performance features accommodations throughout the theater experience, allowing guests to enjoy the timeless holiday tradition in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Audiences will enjoy highlights from both Act I and Act II, following Marie’s magical journey from the holiday party to the enchanting Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Arrival Experience
To help families feel comfortable before the performance begins:
- ❄️ Building doors open at 10:00 a.m. so guests have extra time to become familiar with the theater.
- 🎁 Theater doors open at approximately 10:30 a.m. with general admission seating available within your purchased section.
- 👑 Meet the dancers from 10:15–10:45 a.m. in the lobby! Performers, including characters like The Nutcracker and the Rats, will remove their headpieces so guests can meet the dancers behind the costumes.
Sensory-Friendly Accommodations
This performance has been thoughtfully adapted to create a welcoming experience for all guests.
Accommodations include:
- General admission seating with extra room to move
- Freedom to enter and exit the theater throughout the performance
- Patrons may move through the aisles as needed
- Vocalizations are welcomed and accepted
- House lights remain on at a low level during the performance
- Reduced or modified loud sounds and startling effects, with advance warnings when appropriate
- Recorded music played at a comfortable volume (no live orchestra)
- A quiet room at the back of the theater with continued viewing of the performance
- Additional quiet spaces located outside the theater
New for 2026
This year’s performance includes several exciting enhancements:
- Additional seating available, providing more space and flexibility for families
- General admission seating within your selected ticket level (Orchestra, Grand Tier, or Balcony)
- Tickets starting at $20 in the Balcony section
- An additional scene added to Act II due to the popularity of the sensory-friendly performance