Nmacc presents India’s first ice ballet, Nutcracker on Ice

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s festive calendar has found a new showstopper. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre has unveiled Nutcracker on Ice, India’s first full-scale ice ballet, bringing the world’s most loved Christmas story to life on a gleaming rink inside The Grand Theatre.

For the first time in the country, a purpose-built ice stage has been created within a theatre, hosting 23 international figure skaters of Olympic calibre. Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, the production blends classical storytelling with high-adrenaline athleticism, transforming the familiar tale into a spectacle that feels both grand and surprisingly intimate.

Positioned as a limited-season Christmas tradition exclusive to Mumbai, Nutcracker on Ice aims to offer audiences something beyond the usual festive fare. Hand-crafted costumes designed for ice performance add visual flourish, while the choreography balances elegance with jaw-dropping speed and precision. The result is a show that appeals as much to families and first-time theatre-goers as it does to culture enthusiasts.

To build anticipation, the promotional campaign leaned into social-first storytelling, spotlighting the scale of the production and its once-a-year appeal. An influencer-led activation, conceptualised by Schbang and executed by the Nmacc brand team, added a playful twist. Popular food creators reimagined the Nutcracker in dessert form, including a festive hot chocolate recipe by baker Shivesh, drawing younger audiences into the narrative.

The buzz was further amplified through outdoor hoardings across key city locations, reinforcing the show’s status as a seasonal must-see.

Schbang president brand solutions Jitto George, said the focus was clear. The aim was to position the production not simply as another performance, but as the Christmas experience of the year. The novelty of watching elite skaters perform on real ice inside a theatre was central to making it part of people’s festive plans.

With Nutcracker on Ice, Nmacc adds another cultural milestone to its growing repertoire, proving that global-scale productions can feel right at home when crafted with imagination, spectacle and a touch of Christmas wonder.