If you’ve spotted the 6 Foot DIY Walmart Nutcracker, you already know it’s one of this year’s best Christmas décor finds. Standing tall at six feet, it makes an incredible holiday statement piece. But what makes it even better? It comes unfinished, so you can paint, design, and decorate it yourself to perfectly match your holiday theme. It also lights up and plays music! Shop the 6 Foot Walmart Nutcracker here before it sells out. It’s this year’s viral Christmas DIY!
Note - As of August 2026, the Walmart nutcracker is out of stock (I am waiting for the new one to release for 2026!). I found this Nutcracker by Step2 for $149 (or you can shop for it via Amazon here) which is a great option and can be customized! Shop this alternate option here or here. Another option is ebay, but their prices are quite marked up!
As of June 2026, these are only available on Ebay if you just can't wait until they come out for 2026. Click here to shop them on Ebay!
pictured above is the Step2 Nutcracker option that is currently available as of July 2026! - image via ShipLapShanty
For all supplies (primer, paint and sealer) I used to paint my nutcracker, click here. For brushes I used, click here. There are multiple sizes for painting larger areas as well as the small details like his eyes. For a full in-depth tutorial that answers lots of questions on the painting process, check out this post!
Pre-decorated nutcrackers can cost hundreds of dollars. With Walmart’s DIY version at just $159, you get:
In this blot post, I’ll share step-by-step tips, nutcracker painting ideas, creative design inspiration, and decorating hacks to transform your nutcracker into a show-stopping piece of Christmas magic.
The viral 6 Foot Walmart Nutcracker is back in stock! Shop it here through Walmart before it’s gone for the season.
Here is how my Nutcracker turned out! I just love him!
Add details like decoupage or faux fur - shop the Step2 Nutcracker version here - image via here
Whether you want a classic Christmas look, a whimsical candy theme, or a modern glam nutcracker, this piece gives you endless possibilities.
Before diving into paints and embellishments, set yourself up for success with these prep steps:
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While Walmart hasn't officially announced every seasonal release ahead of time, the popular 6-foot paintable nutcracker has returned in previous years due to high demand. Since it regularly sells out, I recommend buying one as soon as you see it available instead of waiting until closer to Christmas.
Pricing can vary slightly by year and location, but the Walmart 6-foot DIY nutcracker has typically retailed for around $159. If you find one in stock, it's worth grabbing early because prices on resale sites are often much higher after Walmart sells out (which they do every year!).
The finished nutcracker stands approximately 6 feet tall, making it the perfect statement piece for a front porch, entryway, fireplace, or Christmas display.
No. It comes in a white, paintable finish so you can completely customize the colors and design to match your holiday décor.
I recommend using high-quality acrylic craft paint or outdoor-rated spray paint if your nutcracker will be displayed outside. Acrylic paints are easy to work with, come in hundreds of colors, and provide excellent coverage.
For added durability, finish everything with a clear outdoor sealer once the paint has completely dried.
Yes, I would absolutely prime the nutcracker before painting. Especially if you're going to display it outdoors.
It really depends on your design, but for the one I did which was mainly pink and red I used around 3 small bottles of each color of the acrylic paint.
Yes! Many people display their painted nutcrackers on covered front porches throughout the holiday season.
To help protect your hard work, I recommend sealing your finished design with an exterior clear coat and placing it somewhere that isn't exposed to constant rain or snow.
After your paint has fully cured, apply two light coats of a clear outdoor sealer. A UV-resistant matte or satin finish helps protect the paint from fading, moisture, and minor scratches while keeping your nutcracker looking beautiful all season.
Most people can complete their nutcracker over a weekend.
Depending on the level of detail, plan on spending anywhere from 8 to 12 hours painting, allowing time between coats for drying.
Absolutely! Many DIYers spray paint the larger sections first before using small brushes for details like the face, buttons, boots, and trim.
Using both spray paint and hand painting can save quite a bit of time.
The nutcracker is designed for outdoor decorating, but your custom paint job will last much longer if it's protected with a quality outdoor clear coat. During extreme weather, it's always a good idea to move it into a covered area when possible.
Yes! It does light up and plays music! It plugs into the wall which is nice, so no batteries are needed.
Oversized nutcrackers look beautiful paired with:
Christmas trees in urns
Lanterns
Faux presents
Garland
Wreaths
Large ornaments
Matching oversized bows
Outdoor Christmas trees
Layering several large decorations together creates a professionally styled front porch.
Yes! One of the best things about these paintable nutcrackers is that they're easy to refresh. Simply clean the surface, lightly sand glossy areas if needed, apply primer if you're making a major color change, and repaint with your new design.
Sometimes, but there's no guarantee. Small restocks may happen throughout the season, especially online, but once they're gone, many shoppers end up waiting until the following year. If it's available and you know you want one, I wouldn't wait. Sometimes you can find them on retailers like eBay but they usually mark them up to $400-$500!
The Walmart 6-foot nutcracker has become a holiday favorite because it combines the look of high-end Christmas décor with the fun of a customizable DIY project. People love creating one-of-a-kind designs that match their home's style, whether that's traditional, modern, coastal, farmhouse, or whimsical. It's also much more affordable than many oversized decorative nutcrackers sold by specialty retailers.
For my project, I used acrylic paint, paint brushes in several sizes, painter's tape, a small detail brush, and a clear outdoor sealer. I've linked all of the exact supplies I used here so you can easily recreate this look without having to guess which products work best.
We saved the box that the nutcracker came in, unassembled it and put it back in the box! It stores great. Try to put packing paper or tissue paper in between the pieces so the paint doesn't rub off.
I put together a blank coloring sheet you can download to use while planning out the painting of your 6 foot nutcracker. I have both the Step2 version and the Walmart version. These are SUPER helpful to color with colored pencils to see how it will look once you're done painting. I used them last year and they helped tremendously. Just click the links below and a separate page will open where you can print them out.
click here to download a high resolution downloadable coloring sheet for the Step2 6 Foot Nutcracker
The beauty of this nutcracker is that you can tailor it to your holiday décor theme. Here are a few design inspirations:
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1. Classic Christmas Nutcracker
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2. Winter Wonderland Nutcracker
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3. Candyland Nutcracker
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4. Glam Metallic Nutcracker
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5. Character-Inspired Nutcracker
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Painting a 6 foot figure might feel intimidating, but these tips make it manageable:
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shop supplies needed by clicking HERE
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Paint is just the start. The right details can take your nutcracker from fun DIY to professional-quality décor. Try these embellishments:
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Once your nutcracker is complete, it deserves the spotlight!
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If you’re displaying your Nutcracker on your porch, you’ll love my Christmas Front Porch Decor Ideas post for more inspiration.
One of the most difficult things to paint on your nutcracker are the eyes! I found an image of a nutcracker who's eyes I liked the most and tried my best to replicate it. Acrylic paint pens are a game changer for painting these small details along with skinny paint brushes for detailed work. Don't worry if you mess up! You can always paint over them with white and start over at any time.
Looking for fresh inspiration? Here are some trending nutcracker designs people love:
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One of the best parts about the DIY Walmart Nutcracker is that it can evolve each year. You could:
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Christmas Front Porch Decor Ideas // Christmas Staircase Decor // Traditional Christmas Decor
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The 6 Foot DIY Walmart Nutcracker is more than just holiday décor. It’s a creative project that can reflect your personality and style. With paint, glitter, and a few embellishments, you can transform it into a one-of-a-kind Christmas showpiece. Ready to create your own show-stopping Nutcracker? Grab the 6 Foot DIY Nutcracker from Walmart here and get started this weekend!
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Whether you stick to classic Christmas colors, go bold with candy stripes, or try a chic metallic design, your DIY nutcracker will be the centerpiece of your holiday décor for years to come.
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So grab your paints and get creative! The magic of Christmas is waiting on your front porch, in the form of a 6 foot nutcracker!
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