English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker Dec 18, 2024

Every holiday season, as snow begins to fall and Christmas lights twinkle in the night, the story of "The Nutcracker" comes to life on stages around the world. Written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, this beloved ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann"s fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Set on Christmas Eve, it follows a young girl named Clara, who goes on an adventure with the Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse King. Many renowned ballet companies present their rendition of this classic every year, including the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet and the English National Ballet, pictured here. Tchaikovsky"s score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument with a bell-like tone, which perfectly captures the fairy-tale atmosphere.

© Caroline Holden/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Gateway to Latin America
Dec 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Dec 18, 2025Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Where the humpback whale sings
May 27, 2024Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Tamil Nadu
Nov 12, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Sep 7, 2024Ganesh Chaturthi
Feb 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Pastel perfection
Nov 3, 2023Pacific sea nettles off the coast of Carmel, California, USA
Jun 21, 2025International Day of Yoga
Mar 17, 2024Rameshwaram harbour
Sep 23, 2024Sea otter in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA
Sep 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Babbling on and on
The rivers run through us
Where is this ethereal mountain?
Whos in this creepy copse?
Jul 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Oct 25, 2024Golden Temple, Amritsar
Dec 27, 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia
May 10, 2025Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Jul 5, 2024Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Nov 5, 2025Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Jan 6, 2024A male chaffinch in a crab apple tree
Sep 21, 2023International Day of Peace
Feb 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Stunning symmetry
Frosty Finland
Aug 21, 2023Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for..
Jun 5, 2025World Environment Day