Your Sneak Peek Guide to Houston’s Nutcracker Market: The Holiday Shopping Event of the Year is Here
BY Shelby Hodge // 11.08.17More than 280 merchants will offer holiday gifts and decorations at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market taking place at NRG Center Thursday through Sunday.
The familiar reindeer, the wreaths and the coveted cases of Donne di Domani marinara sauce will be at the ready when doors open on the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market preview party tonight. But there will be scores of new merchants from across the country among the 280 vendors that will be sewing the seeds of the holiday spirit at NRG Center throughout the weekend.
Among the newcomers is Santa Barre, sponsored by Houston Ballet, proffering collectible Santas in every size. Wreaths by Mary from The Woodlands introduces custom wreaths for every occasion — summer, winter, spring, fall, Christmas, Hanukkah and more. Funky Country Junkie of Peoria, Arizona, tempts with its collection of trendy/chic apparel.
We have our eye on newcomer Rocki Gorman’s spectacular sterling silver , turquoise and gemstone jewelry from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The pieces are big and bold and must-haves for anyone with a home in New Mexico or San Miguel or a ranch anywhere in the country. No ranch, no worries. This jewelry would be just as fab on River Oaks Boulevard as in Aspen. And the perfect jewelry for everywhere comes from Kendra Scott, who joins the market scene this year.
The collection of merchants plying their wares through the vast shopping extravaganza has been carefully curated by the Nutcracker Market team, which as soon as the doors close on the 2017 market begin working on the holiday shopping fete for the following year. That is, as soon as they count the proceeds. Ten percent of all merchandise sales in addition to ticket and special event ticket sales support various programs of Houston Ballet and the ballet academy. With market proceeds in recent years approaching $20 million, organizers are hopeful that this year’s event will be an equal success.
The ballet is in particular need this year after Hurricane Harvey destroyed part of Wortham Theater Center forcing the ballet to find a new home and to reduce the number of performances. Perhaps more than a few shoppers will be in need as well with flood waters having destroyed not only part of their homes but also their entire Christmas collection. There will be ample Christmas tree ornaments and decorations to replace any lost to the storm.
The full list of merchants and a floor plan of the acres of shopping are available here.
Overseeing the 37th annual Nutcracker Market is market chair Myrna Fisch with assistance from Patsy Chapman, Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market CEO, and a host of volunteers.
General admission is $20 at NRG or $18 at Randalls and Ticketmaster. Hours are 10 am to 8 pm. Thursday and Friday and 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday.