CBeebies Presents: The Nutcracker

On Christmas Eve, two children are swept into an enchanted night when their playroom comes alive. They follow a trail from everyday toys to an extraordinary Land of Sweets, where music, color and dancing figures unfold like a living storybook. The production keeps the focus on wonder and play, showing familiar characters and festive set pieces as the youngsters move through magical scenes, meet lively performers, and learn through song and spectacle. The film stays family friendly, showing a staged theatrical performance captured for television rather than altering the original stage pacing or choreography, so the emphasis is on atmosphere rather than plot twists.

This filmed staging was directed by Martin Williams-Neale and written by Claire Duffy and Jon Spooner, built from a live production at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. It features a cast of well known CBeebies presenters, including Justin Fletcher, Cat Sandion, Ben Faulks, Andy Day and Cerrie Burnell, and it premiered on the CBeebies channel in 2016.

No major industry awards or high profile nominations are recorded for this televised production, which was released as a seasonal family special rather than a contender in mainstream adult-oriented awards circuits.

Critics and parents tended to praise the movie for its lively performances and straightforward staging, though formal reviews are limited. The film leans into themes of imagination, the joy of performance, and the communal spirit of holiday entertainment, using music and choreography to sustain interest for preschool and early primary viewers.

Because it gathered several familiar CBeebies faces and presented a full theatrical set on TV, the production became an identifiable seasonal choice for families who follow the channel. Its straightforward adaptation of a classic holiday ballet into a child friendly, singer-and-dancer format helped it slot into festive programming and family viewing around Christmas for audiences looking for gentle, musical entertainment.