Houston’s Nutcracker Market Opens With a Frenzy: 4,000 Shoppers Pour in for Just the Preview

BY Shelby Hodge // 11.09.17

photography Fulton Davenport/PWL Studio

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Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is loaded with Santas, nutcrackers and reindeer.

The Houston Ballet Barre booth features holiday ornaments including whimsical dancers.

Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market kicks off with the Preview Party Wednesday night.

Elvis in holiday mode makes the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market

The weather outside wasn’t exactly frightful, a bit drippy perhaps, but the scene inside was absolutely delightful as the Houston Ballet Guild opened the doors on the 37th annual Nutcracker Market. Wednesday night’s Preview Party was the glittery launch of four days of inspired holiday shopping opportunities, this special evening drawing 4,000 eager shoppers.

In keeping with the “Rockin’ and Shoppin'” theme, the David Caceres Band filled the vast NRG Center with the sounds of the holidays and rockin’ around the clock familiar tunes. Market chair Myrna Fisch selected the theme for the event that was expected to bring in millions and millions of dollars for Houston Ballet coffers. Since its inception, the market has raised more than $57 million for the Houston Ballet Foundation.

Joining her in the Preview Party orchestration were chairs Cheri Fama, Caroline Fant, Regina Garcia and Jane Jones. They oversaw the festive soirée that included dinner and dessert buffets as well as generous bars anchored throughout the market scene. Houston Ballet leadership on hand to spur on the excitement included managing director Jim Nelson, artistic director Stanton Welch, Nutcracker Market CEO Patsy Chapman and the beloved C.C. Conner.

Shopping bags filled quickly with gifts, decor, holiday foods and more as more than 280 merchants offered their wares to the enthused crowd. Among the many merchants feeling the shopping love were the Royal Standard with its intriguing home and personal accessories, Cherry Republic offering every cherry concoction imaginable, Bora Jewelry, Samsvlle Gallery turquoise and silver jewelry and Vinglancé (the ultimate in wine chillers).

The market continues Thursday and Friday 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday to 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets are $20 (cash only) at NRG or $18 from Randalls and online on Ticketmaster.

Shopping til dropping: Patricia Green, Darryl Montgomery, Philamena Baird, Lara Bell, Kirksey Gregg, Shay Calhoun, Gaylon and Don Gullquist, Kim Padgett, Roseanne Rogers, Tamara Klosz Bonar, Lucy Klosz, Chad Libertus, Bree Knodel, Christina Sacco, and Ally Shell.