“Nutcracker” is descending on Charlotte. In theaters across the area, little Clara's weird but kindly godfather will produce the gift that sends her off to a fantasy world of snow and sweets. Tchaikovsky's sparkling music will help audiences sail to dreamland alongside her.

That's nearly all you need to know to go out and join the party – but not quite. Here's a guide to the Charlotte area's productions of the holiday classic.

N.C. Dance Theatre

If you want to see the full-blown “Nutcracker,” this is the one. It features two of the area's leading performing groups: NCDT, the area's only full-time professional dance company, and the Charlotte Symphony. The choreography, premiered in 2006, is by NCDT's artistic director, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Clara and Fritz are played by budding dancers from NCDT's school, and the professionals move in for the specialty numbers – from the Snow Queen, who appears to Clara in a dream, to the show-off inhabitants of the Land of Sweets.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21.

Where: Belk Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St.

Tickets: $20-$69.

Details: 704-372-1000; www.ncdance.org.