The story is about a little girl.

When the curtain rises, we see the Stahlbaum family prepare for Christmas Eve. Marie, her younger brother, Fritz, the mother and the father celebrate with family and friends when the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer arrives. He quickly pulls a large bag of gifts for all the children and everyone is happy except Marie, who has not yet received a gift. When she goes to him to get the expected gift, it turns out that the colourful packages are finished and Marie in tears seeks solace with her mother. Then, like a magician, Drosselmeyer pulls out a toy nutcracker representing a soldier in a beautiful uniform of the Royal Guard.

The girl is over the moon with happiness, but when they begin to play, her brother Fritz breaks the toy. Drosselmeyer finds the damaged figure and fixes it.

When the party is over and the Stahlbaums go to sleep, Mary worries about her toy and goes to the Christmas tree to hug it. Soon she falls asleep under the tree with the Nutcracker in her arms. When the clock strikes midnight, Mary hears the sound of mice and tries to escape, but they make her stop. The Christmas tree suddenly begins to grow and fills the room. The soldier nutcracker comes to life and along with his soldiers defends Mary in battle with the army of the Mouse King.

In the battle Marie throws her slipper at the Mouse King and the Nutcracker manages at this time to pierce him with his spear. Having lost their leader, the mice retreat. Then suddenly the Nutcracker turns into a prince. Marie and the Prince travel to a magical world where they meet dancing snowflakes, fairies and queens.

When the curtain opens again, Marie and the Prince are greeted by Spanish, Chinese, Indian, French and Russian dolls who dance to them with flowers.

When all is over, Marie wakes up under the Christmas tree with her favourite toy – the Nutcracker.