Salzburg Marionette Theater: The Nutcracker ticket

Marionettes dancing Tchaikovsky in a 350-seat baroque hall

Salzburg Marionette Theater admission to see The Nutcracker, a 1 hour 35 minute ballet performed by hand-trained puppeteers in a baroque auditorium with 350 seats. The theater's puppet technique has been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage and is used as a model by marionette theaters worldwide. Performances include German and English explanations. Children from age 1 are welcome. Infants can use a pram or stroller.

Step-by-step itinerary

Attend The Nutcracker performance

• Arrive at Salzburg Marionette Theater
• Watch The Nutcracker ballet show
• Enjoy explanations in German and English

The experience

The Salzburg Marionette Theater has operated for a century in a baroque hall that seats 350, and in 2016 the theater's performance technique was added to UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Nutcracker runs 1 hour 35 minutes and is staged for both children and adults, with explanations in German and English. The 12 puppeteers who animate the marionettes train exclusively at the theater: their training demands as much time and perseverance as learning a musical instrument, and they work across a range of trades and professions. What makes the performance distinctive is the technique itself: the way the puppeteers move, the musicality they bring to each character, and the manual skill required to keep the marionettes' movements synchronized with the orchestra.

The theater presents operas, musicals, plays and fairytales across its season: Mozart's Magic Flute, The Sound of Music, Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter and the Wolf, and others rotate through the schedule depending on the month. The Nutcracker is available at certain times of year. You'll want to check which shows are playing when you plan to visit, as the program changes seasonally. The baroque auditorium itself is part of the experience: a historic space designed for this kind of intimate, detailed performance where the audience can see the precision of the puppeteers' hands and the expression in each marionette's face.

What’s included

• Admission to the performance.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 16:00 and 19:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Salzburger Marionettentheater GmbH

Is this one for you?At 1 hour 35 minutes, The Nutcracker fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming the whole day, leaving time to explore Salzburg's old town or other attractions. The baroque auditorium is small enough that even young children can see the marionettes' faces and hands clearly, making it worth the visit if your group includes ages 1 and up.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

How long is The Nutcracker performance at Salzburg Marionette Theater?

The Nutcracker runs 1 hour 35 minutes, with explanations given in both German and English so the story is clear regardless of language.

What makes the Salzburg Marionette Theater's technique special?

The theater's puppet performance technique has been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage and is considered the most highly developed form of puppet theater. The 12 puppeteers train exclusively at the theater in a process that takes as long as learning a musical instrument.

What other shows does the Salzburg Marionette Theater perform besides The Nutcracker?

The theater stages operas, musicals, plays and fairytales including Mozart's Magic Flute, The Sound of Music, Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter and the Wolf, and Rumpelstiltskin. The program rotates seasonally, so not all shows are available at the same time.

What should I wear to the Salzburg Marionette Theater?

The dress code is smart casual. Short trousers are not permitted in the evening performances.