Holiday shopping starts with Nutcracker Market
Serious shoppers know the annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at NRG Center is a wonderland of holiday gifts and décor.
They aren’t deterred by long lines and the nearly 100,000 in attendance. That’s part of the holiday fun.
On Wednesday, the 37th annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market kicked off with the Wells Fargo Preview Party. Some 4,000 guests were able to check out the holiday goods and merchandise before the market opened to the public. It continues through Sunday, with 300 vendors from across the nation.
A portion of the proceeds from merchandise and ticket sales supports the Houston Ballet, the Houston Ballet Academy and scholarship programs. Last year, the market raised $4.6 million for the ballet, and approximately $57 million has been raised since the market started in 1981.
Guests at the Wells Fargo-sponosored preview party included: Miya Shay, Yvonne Cormier, Myrna Fisch, Jim Nelson, Stanton Welch, Patsy Chapman, Cheri
Fama, Caroline Fant, Regina Garcia, Jane Jones, Patricia Green, Darryl Montgomery, Philamena Baird, Kirksey Gregg, Shay Calhoun, Don and Gaylon Gullquist, Nancy Almodovar, and Deborah Duncan.
Houston-area vendors to look for: Paris Texas Apparel Co., Booth 1406; fashion designer Chloe Dao, Booth 1444; Christina Greene Jewelry, Booth 1013; Man ready Mercantile (gifts for men), Booth 454; Mirta Tummino Jewelry, Booth 647; Doggie Express (organic, locally baked dog treats), Booth 215. A newcomer to look for this year is Austin’s Saint Beatrice, selling wearables, livables and lovables from Mexico, Booth 645.