David Choate#8217;s Hot Chocolate 2026

About this event

The holiday tradition Cincinnati has embraced is back! Now in its 6th spectacular year, David Choate's Hot Chocolate: An African American Nutcracker returns to the Aronoff Center, and rumor has it this year is "hotter" than ever! Hot Chocolate is a fresh production filled with breathtaking dance, unforgettable music, dazzling visuals, and the warmth of family, culture, and community. Inspired by the timeless magic of The Nutcracker, Hot Chocolate reimagines the classic through the richness of the African American experience, blending ballet with contemporary, jazz, modern, hip-hop, African diasporic movement, and powerful storytelling. Whether you're discovering Hot Chocolate for the first time or returning to make it part of your family's holiday tradition, 2026 promises to be the biggest, boldest, and most magical production yet! Experience the magic. Feel the warmth. Start a new holiday tradition. This calendar listing is brought to you by Cincy A&E, the Cincinnati region's one-stop, online calendar for arts and entertainment events, powered by ArtsWave.