Pennsylvania Youth Ballet presents its beloved holiday tradition, “Nutcracker,” a delightful and dream-like Christmas journey with a full cast of festive characters.

PYB is the performing company of the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, which has served the area for more than 50 years and is known for its superior ballet training, first-class performances and guest artists from the world’s leading ballet companies.

“Nutcracker” will be performed at 1 and 4 p.m. Dec 12 and 1 p.m. Dec 13, Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

Karen Kroninger Knerr, Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley artistic director, says this is the 47th consecutive year the PYB has performed the classic holiday ballet: “It’s very much a traditional story of the Nutcracker.”

Kroninger Knerr has a long history with the company, “I grew up as a student in the Ballet Guild. That’s where I received my early training.” Knerr went on to teach there for 18 years. She became artistic director eight years ago. “It’s really come full circle for me,” Kroninger Knerr says.

The cast ranges in age from six-years-old and up. The adults who participate, such as those in the party scene, hail from all walks of life. “We have some doctors [in the cast] and one is an engineer,” says Kroninger Knerr.

This year’s guest artists are Lauren Fadeley, principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, who plays the Sugar Plum Fairy. Francis Veyette, also a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, will play her Cavalier.

“It’s a husband and wife team,” Kroninger Knerr says. “Every year, we bring in new guest artists. It’s great for the Lehigh Valley to see this caliber of dancers. They don’t have to travel to New York or Philadelphia. We bring it to them. And it’s great for the students, who are working to become professional dancers.”

There are beloved characters in the ballet, such as the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer and the Snow Cavalier, who partners with the Snow Queen in a pas de deux.

In addition, a youth choir, composed of vocal students from Lehigh Valley schools, sings in the magical Snow scene.

South Side Sinfonietta, conducted by Eugene Albulescu, provides full orchestration for “Nutcracker” performances. “It’s our third year with a live orchestra,” says Kroninger Knerr.

In addition to three public performances, there are four school shows, in which 4,000 students from area schools attend PYB’s “Nutcracker.”

“The letters we have received bring tears to our eyes,” Kroninger Knerr says. “[The letters are] from teachers saying how meaningful it is for these students to see something like this. It’s a great way to introduce students to the ballet.”

Tickets: zoellnerartscenter.org, Zoellner Arts Center Box Office, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, 610-758-2787, ext. 0