Birmingham Royal Ballet will be running free family activities at Birmingham’s Bullring this festive season, providing visitors to the shopping centre with the opportunity to delve into the world of Sir Peter Wright’s magical Christmas ballet The Nutcracker.

The event, especially for families, will feature Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Children’s Ballet  for children aged 3-10 years. This colourful, interactive workshop, using themes from The Nutcracker, will include story guides, movement and a rare chance to try on the costumes of some of the favourite characters from the ballet.

A lecture demonstration introduction to the story of The Nutcracker will also take place and will feature two of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s world class dancers performing the Sugar Plum and Prince pas de deux live, followed by a meet and greet and walk about.

The Nutcracker, famed for its magnificent sets and costumes, takes place on Christmas Eve in the Victorian setting of Clara’s family home. As midnight strikes, the magical Christmas tree grows and grows, Clara’s nutcracker doll and his army of toy soldiers come to life, and Clara is swept away into a fantasy adventure through an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The event will open on Saturday 12 November, ground floor, Bullring and activities will run from 2pm-5pm. Free to participants. Please note that as space is limited access to the event will be on a first come first served basis.

The Nutcracker returns to Birmingham Hippodrome this Christmas from 19 November - 10 December following a £1 million refresh thanks to the extraordinary support of hundreds of individuals, numerous Trusts and Foundations and BRB investment. Tickets can be booked at: birminghamhippodrome.com