history
In 2019, after 38 years of hosting its annual holiday shopping extravaganza, the Nutcracker Market branched out by creating a brand new market filled with seasonal items for spring and summer. The "Spring Spectacular" hosted more than 160 merchants including several Nutcracker Market favorites as well as many new ones from across the country. Over 18,150 shoppers descended upon NRG Center in their best spring attire and spent more than $3.2 million over the 3-day shopping weekend.
After having to cancel the SPRING Market in 2020, Nutcracker Market SPRING made it’s highly anticipated return to NRG Center April 16-18, 2021. Thousands came out to support and shop nearly 150 merchants from 26 states and over 97 cities. Over 12,100 shoppers pranced through the aisles of the NRG Center in their spring and summer best, spending $2.7 million from Friday to Sunday.
The third installment of Nutcracker Market SPRING took place on April 8-10, 2022. Close to 10,000 shoppers made their way through the springy aisles of the NRG Center, supporting more than 160 merchants by spending over $840,000 from Friday to Sunday.
Proceeds from each admission ticket that you purchase, plus 11% of all the merchandise you buy, goes back to Houston Ballet Foundation, its Academy and scholarship programs.
Since 1981, the Nutcracker Market, including Nutcracker Market SPRING, has contributed over $80 million back to Houston Ballet to help:
- Bring arts education to over 168,000 Houston-area students through the Houston Ballet Academy’s Education and Community Engagement programs.
- Award over $163,000 in scholarships to approximately 44 students this past season (2021-2022) to continue their dream of studying dance at Houston Ballet Academy.
- Give students from nearly 448 Houston-area schools their first opportunity to see a ballet and hear from dancers through free programing, performances and classes at Houston Ballet’s prestigious Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance.
- Shopping at the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market means you are directly supporting a Houston arts nonprofit and the money raised stays right here in Houston.
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