Tonight a few friends and I attended the season premier of the Nutcracker ballet in San Francisco. The San Francisco Ballet was the first company to bring the Russian-born Nutcracker to America. Going to see the Nutcracker is always a special event, especially here in the city, because it means the holiday season is officially upon us. A big portion of the audience is composed of families with young children dressed up in their best little suits and dresses.

The performances are held in the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House across from City Hall. They always hook up a snow machine above the wreathed main entrance so that families will walk in amid a gentle flurry of snowflakes.

The production itself is quite breathtaking, from the beautiful costumes and sets to the talented dancers and of course, the timeless score by Tchaikovsky.