A sweet pas de deux: Oberweis and The Joffrey Ballet team up for the holidays

Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy and The Joffrey Ballet are marking a milestone holiday season with a new partnership celebrating the 10th anniversary of Christopher Wheeldon’s acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. To commemorate the occasion, Oberweis has created a limited-edition flavor, Nutcracker Peppermint Swirl, which will be available throughout December both at Oberweis scoop shops and during all Joffrey performances at the Lyric Opera House from December 5–28.

The collaboration began earlier this year as both organizations looked for a way to honor the decade-long success of Wheeldon’s Chicago-centered reimagining of the holiday classic. Oberweis developed the new flavor specifically for the anniversary: a sugar-cookie ice cream base streaked with a bright peppermint ribbon. For the first time, the company is offering the ice cream in 4-ounce tubes that will be sold individually at the theater and as a three-pack at Oberweis locations and select grocery stores. According to Oberweis Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Peterson, the concept was designed to blend two traditions that hold a special place in local families’ holiday routines.

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“The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker is one of Chicago’s most cherished holiday traditions for so many families, just as our ice cream has been for nearly 100 years,” Peterson said. “It’s an honor to partner with such an iconic Chicago institution to commemorate this incredible 10-year milestone.”

The Joffrey Ballet’s production, set against the spectacle of the 1893 World’s Fair, draws thousands of families every year. President and CEO Greg Cameron said the partnership felt like a natural extension of that community connection. “We are delighted to celebrate a decade of this beloved holiday tradition by partnering with Oberweis,” he said. “Nutcracker Peppermint Swirl is the perfect complement to the wonder and magic audiences experience each year. This collaboration brings together two Chicago favorites, connecting the city’s artistry, unbridled joy, and a bit of sweetness all together at once.”

The ice cream will be available at all 27 performances of The Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House. The production features Tchaikovsky’s classic score and a cast of characters inspired by the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, including toy soldiers, masked Venetian dancers, an Arabian enchantress and the whimsical creations of Chicago’s own historic fairgrounds. The show remains one of the Joffrey’s most popular programs, supported this season by Presenting Sponsor Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company and Production Sponsors AARP and Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company.

More information on Nutcracker performance dates and tickets is available here. Details on Oberweis’ holiday products can be found at oberweis.com and on the company’s social media channels.