The San Jose Nutcracker Performance Information - 2025
Drop off and Pickup Information
Students must be dropped-off and picked-up at the stage door - (door to the backstage area)
The California Theatre STAGE DOOR is located at: 344 S. Market Street
To watch the performance you will need to enter through the main entrance on 345 S. First Street.
If your student is only performing in the first act of a 2pm or 7pm Performance (Mice, Party Children, Toy soldiers, Clara’s Friends, Fritz, Maids) and you would like them to sit in the audience with you for the second act, they must have their own ticket. You must pick them up at the Stage Door only.
Students ages 14 and up (in 4A and up only) for whom you have indicated on their registration form that they may leave the theatre between performances without a parent or guardian picking them up will be allowed to leave the theatre with at least one buddy between shows. Students, even if OK’d to leave may not leave once checked in for a show. They may only leave between performances. Otherwise all students must be met at the stage door at their pickup time by a parent or guardian.
Please arrive on time but do not arrive earlier than the listed times. If students are late or will be absent for any reason, please text 310-237-8790 with student name and role.
PLEASE NOTE, pick up times are based on performance times. There are circumstances that we cannot control that affect how long a live performance may last, so these times are estimates, and performances sometimes run late.
PARKING MAY BE A CHALLENGE during the holidays. Please arrive early to find parking as you may not double park by the stage door. The website parksj.org is a great resource and will direct you to open parking places.
Please reference the map below:
Theatre Location
Dancer Entrance: 344 South Market Street
(Audience Entrance: 345 South 1st Street)
Parking and Driving Info
Use the website parksj.org for up to date parking information. Although lot number 2 on the map above may be closest, you will find it much easier to park in the 3rd St Lot (number 5 on the map) or 4th street lot (Number 4 on the Map). Both of these lots offer 90 minutes of free parking and after that time the cost is $1 per 15 minutes.
DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE NEAR CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK. We recommend avoiding San Carlos, particularly between Almaden Blvd and First St, as well as Market Sreett between San Calros and San Fernando St. You navigator should help you avoid the worst of Christmas in the Park traffic, so please consult it as you drive to the theatre each day, ideally listing a parking garage chosen with the help of the parksj.org app as the destination.
Rules for Snacks
If your child does not need a snack, please only send a labeled water bottle with them.
Students may not order food delivery to the theatre. This puts added strain on volunteers and admin. Please make sure they have any food they need packed.
Students are only allowed to eat in costume if their costume is COVERED – students must bring their own button-down or zip-up hoodie/sweater/etc. to cover their tops and a second item to cover their legs. NO PULLOVERS ALLOWED.
Students must bring their snack in a bag labeled with their FULL NAME and CLASS LEVEL on it.
Students may bring a water bottle with their FULL NAME on it. No soda, fruit drinks, sport drinks, milk, etc. allowed.
Students are not permitted to bring snacks that require refrigeration or a microwave.
Snacks may not be shared.
Permitted food items – anything that is clean, not crumbly, and will not spill on a costume.
Examples include: Granola bars, Power Bars, etc. (No Nuts), bite-sized snack crackers (i.e. teddy grahams), dry cereal, pre-cut vegetables such as carrots and celery (but no dipping sauces or peanut butter), pre-cut fruit, such as sliced apples, and bananas
Banned food items – anything that is greasy, crumbly, can melt, or has potential to spill on a costume.
Examples include: Nuts (including foods containing or derived from nuts), chips, especially ones with powdered flavoring, such as Doritos, Cheetos, etc., chocolate, sandwiches with mayonnaise, nut butters or other oily condiments, fast food, juicy fruits such as berries & stone fruits, yogurt, including Go-gurt.
