Houston’s Nutcracker Market 2025 at NRG Center
Kick off the Christmas season at Houston’s most festive shopping event. Explore hundreds of vendors, discover unique gifts, and support the Houston Ballet.
A Houston Christmas Tradition
The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is one of the city’s most beloved Christmas traditions, welcoming tens of thousands of shoppers each year to celebrate the start of the season. Since 1981, the Market has transformed from a small church bazaar into one of Texas’s largest Christmas shopping events, all while raising vital funds for the Houston Ballet Foundation and its Academy.
When & Where
Join us November 13–16, 2025, at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas, for four days of shopping, Christmas cheer, and giving back. With hundreds of vendors and unique Christmas finds, the Nutcracker Market is the perfect way to kick off Christmas in Houston.
Shop, Celebrate & Give Back
More than just a shopping event, the Nutcracker Market is a way to support the arts in Houston. Every ticket purchased and 11% of all merchandise sales directly benefit the Houston Ballet Foundation, funding scholarships, arts education, and world-class performances.
In 2024 alone, the Nutcracker Market welcomed over 99,000 shoppers, generating $23 million in sales, and giving back $6.3 million to the Ballet, making a lasting impact on the arts and the community.
What You’ll Find
From gourmet foods and Christmas décor to fashion, jewelry, and children’s gifts, the Market brings together hundreds of merchants under one roof. Shoppers can discover one-of-a-kind treasures while enjoying a festive atmosphere filled with twinkling lights, Christmas music, and the spirit of Christmas.
A Storied History
The Nutcracker Market was the brainchild of Houston Ballet supporter Preston Frazier, who envisioned a European-style Christmas bazaar to raise funds for the Ballet. The first Market was held in 1981, and it has grown every year since. The event has even seen appearances from First Lady Barbara Bush, who once helped cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, cementing the Market as a Houston Christmas icon.
Experience the Magic
Whether you’re a Houston local or visiting for the season, the Nutcracker Market is the ultimate Christmas shopping destination. Gather your friends, sip a festive drink, and make memories while supporting the arts.
Save the Date: November 13-16th, 2025 at the NRG Center in Houston.