Annual holiday fundraising market with more than 280 merchants selling home décor, gifts, food, apparel and toys to support Houston Ballet.
The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market returns to the NRG Center this November, running from Thursday, Nov 12 through Sunday, Nov 15. It's a holiday fundraising market with more than 280 merchants selling home décor, gifts, food, apparel and toys—including 29 newcomers this year. The whole thing is organized by the Houston Ballet, and it's one of the city's biggest holiday shopping traditions.
There's a bit more to it than just the booths. The market kicks off with the Wells Fargo Preview Party on Wednesday, Nov 11, from 6:30 to 10 PM, and the Snow Queen's and Sugar Plum's fashion show luncheons run at 10:15 AM on Nov 12 and 13. The market itself is open Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
It's worth knowing where the money goes. The Nutcracker Market started in 1981 when Houston Ballet supporter Preston Frazier proposed a holiday bazaar modeled on European and Latin American street markets to raise money for the company, its Academy and its scholarships. It began as a modest church bazaar and has since become Texas's signature holiday fundraising shopping event, contributing more than $97 million to the ballet. In 2025, it drew over 104,000 shoppers and generated more than $24 million in sales, with about $6 million going back to the company. Every admission and special-event ticket, plus 11% of merchandise purchased, supports the ballet's productions, Academy and community programs. This 2026 edition is chaired by Michelle Iversen Jeffery and honors KPMG for 40 years of support. Returning vendor and watercolor artist Taylor Paladino calls the market her 'Super Bowl,' the biggest event on her calendar.
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General admission for one day is $25 plus fees, and Sunday-only tickets are $20 plus fees. If you're planning to go more than once, the Early Bird ticket is $60 plus fees—it gets you in at 8:30 AM on Thursday and Friday and includes four-day repeat admission. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $25 plus tax per vehicle, credit card only.
