That’s a wrap! More than 107,240 shoppers made their way to NRG Center for the 39th annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. With merchandise sales exceeding $20.4 million, it was another hugely successful year for the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market. The 2019 Nutcracker Market was chaired by longtime Houston Ballet supporter, Sara Wright Parr.
The four-day holiday shopping extravaganza kicked off on Wednesday, November 13 with the coveted Wells Fargo Preview Party, and opened its doors to the general public from Thursday, November 14 to Sunday, November 17. Large groups of shoppers donning matching holiday themed outfits sipped on the signature Nutcracker Market mimosa while perusing the more than 540,000 square feet featuring more than 260 merchants from across the nation. New items included custom made dolls, sustainable clothing crafted from Alpaca fleece, bar accessories, authentic hair extensions and handmade personalized salt dough Christmas ornaments – just in time for the holidays.
Throughout the Market, a series of special events were held including the Wells Fargo Preview Party, the Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, and the Macy’s Fashion Show and Luncheon. In its 39th year, the Nutcracker Market continues to provide support for the Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship programs. Eleven percent of merchandise sales and proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit the Houston Ballet Foundation. Since its inception in 1981, the Nutcracker Market has contributed more than $74.2 million for the Houston Ballet Foundation, including the $5.4 million contribution from the 2019 Market.
