Photo: Rachel Neville Photography

A perennial favorite, Boston Ballet’s much-anticipated engagement of The Nutcracker has unofficially kicked off the holiday season in the Hub for decades. Coming to the Boston Opera House November 29–December 30, Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen’s acclaimed version, which debuted in 2012, once again recounts E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic 1816 tale of a magical Christmas Eve. Follow the adventures of Clara as she encounters the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy, bewitching Snow Queen, the evil Mouse King and, of course, the heroic Nutcracker Prince in an exquisitely danced extravaganza highlighted by lush sets and costumes, all backed by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.