It is Christmas Eve, a time when dreams may become reality. Drosselmeyer, godfather to Clara, brings gifts and magic to her parents’ home for the annual Christmas party. His special gift to Clara is a large Nutcracker soldier.

 

When she falls asleep after the party, Clara is cradling the Nutcracker in her arms, and begins to dream. In her dream, her Nutcracker soldier fights a battle and transports her on a sleigh through the Land of Snow to the Land of Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and people from faraway lands.

 

The ballet closes as Drosselmeyer brings Clara back, still cradling her Nutcracker soldier and treasuring her wonderful dream.