Ticket sales for the ballet production of The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre opened from December 29 to 31, with the box office handling the distribution. Reports from RIA News confirmed this schedule and the location of the sales window.
As in prior years, many enthusiasts lined up to secure seats for the final performance of the year. Observers noted that to gain entry to the ticket office, visitors were required to obtain a numbered bracelet first. Eyewitnesses described a crowded scene and occasional stampedes within the queue, with some attendees leaving the line amid the bustle.
Earlier, on the night of November 4, long queues formed outside the Bolshoi Theatre for performances slated for December 23–28. Advertisements appeared on popular online marketplaces offering seats and bracelets in the queue for prices ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 rubles; authorities subsequently blocked these postings to curb scalping and scams.
The demand for the New Year screening of The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre led to a crowd crush on November 11. Media sources reported fatalities during the event. One account suggested that crowd pressure intensified after administration announcements indicated that not enough tickets would be available for everyone present. A separate report mentioned a panic attack experienced by a girl within the crowd. These incidents prompted discussions about event safety and ticketing procedures.
Additionally, rumors concerning a multimillion-dollar fee reportedly earned by a prominent performer were addressed by the production team, who provided clarification about the compensation. The situation underscored the intense public interest surrounding this landmark ballet and the ongoing challenge of distributing highly sought-after seats in a fair and orderly manner.