Dancing bears in the National Ballet of Canada's production of The Nutcracker (National Ballet of Canada)Dancing bears in the National Ballet of Canada's production of The Nutcracker (National Ballet of Canada)

The Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and everyone's favourite Christmas toy come to life, the Nutcracker, will dance across Canadian cinema screens this December.

The National Ballet of Canada plans to simulcast a single matinee of The Nutcracker in 79 cinemas across Canada.

More communities are being included in the holiday tradition, after the success of the first simulcast in 2007, which filled 69 screens, the National Ballet announced Tuesday.

The Nutcracker Live will be shown in Cineplex theatres from B.C. to Quebec, including in Toronto, on Dec. 13, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The company does not have any cinemas in Atlantic Canada.

Six high-definition cameras at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto will capture the ballet and transmit it live via satellite.

The Nutcracker, based on a E.T.A. Hoffman tale and set to the music of Tchaikovsky, is about a little girl's journey to a winter fantasy land in the company of the Nutcracker prince. In the National Ballet performance, choreographed by James Kudelka, the journey is undertaken by Marie (often called Clara in other versions) and her brother, Misha.

Tickets are $9.95 for children and $19.95 for adults, with a special family price available.

The Nutcracker will be broadcast on Bravo! at a later date.