Photo Credit: Melissa TaylorEvents
2025 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Ticket Giveaway
Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is an annual fundraiser that supports Houston Ballet, its Academy, and scholarship programs, and has raised more than $97.6 million since its inception. The market returns November 13–16, 2025 to the NRG Center and features around 280 unique merchants offering an assortment of seasonal items, apparel, jewelry, gourmet food, and cheerful home and holiday décor.
2025 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Ticket Giveaway
Hello Cypress is giving away four (4) Early Bird Tickets to the 2025 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market held at the NRG Center in Houston. Early bird tickets allow for exclusive early access to shop the Market before general admission opening on Thursday and Friday, November 13-14 from 8:30-10:00 AM. Tickets allow for repeat admission all four days (Nov. 13-16) of the Market. To enter to win, simply enter your name and email address below and click “Submit” by Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59am CST. One (1) winner will be selected, contacted by email by Tuesday, November 11, and announced on the Hello Cypress social media pages. Must be 18 years or older to enter and win. Good luck!
2025 Nutcracker Market Information
Dates & Hours
- Thursday, November 13: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 14: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 15: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 16: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TICKETS
- General Admission: $20 at NRG ticket windows (cash/check only), on Ticketmaster now, or at H-E-B Business Centers starting October 1.
- Early Bird Tickets: $60 for 8:30 a.m. admission on Thursday and Friday, with repeat access all four days, available at NRG ticket windows or via Ticketmaster. Early Bird tickets can also be purchased by calling 713.535.3231 before November 7.
Children 2 and under are free. Strollers, carts, and rolling bags are not permitted inside the market. Wheelchairs are welcome. For more details on accessibility, visit the Market’s Accessibility webpage.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Special event tickets include four-day repeat admission and early 8:30 a.m. entry on Thursday and Friday.
- Wells Fargo Preview Party: Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. | Tickets start at $300.
- Snow Queen’s Fashion Show and Luncheon: Thursday, November 13, 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Tickets start at $250.
- Sugar Plum’s Fashion Show and Luncheon: Friday, November 14, 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Tickets start at $250.
Purchase tickets and learn more about the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at https://www.houstonballet.org/support-us/special-events/nutcracker-market
Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market returns to spark Holiday Magic!
Now celebrating its 45th year, this cherished Houston tradition will once again transform NRG Center into a festive shopping wonderland, featuring more than 280 merchants from across the nation offering a unique selection of seasonal décor, gourmet treats, gifts, fashion, jewelry and more.
“We are delighted to welcome the Houston community back to Nutcracker Market to kick off the holiday season,” Houston Ballet Chief Development Officer Angie Lane said. “As we celebrate its 45th year, we reflect on the Market’s incredible growth and lasting impact on our city. Houston Ballet is honored to have established a cherished tradition—one that brings joy, fosters community spirit, and helps sustain our programs year after year.”
The Market features new merchants like True Honey Teas, offering honey-infused gourmet teas, and Mini Mahjer, with fun mahjong sets for all ages. Shoppers can also discover treats made with real ingredients for their pets from Winnie Lou, colorful, tooled leather goods from Hide and Chic, and crunchy superfood popped water lily seed snacks from Let Me Snack.
Longtime Nutcracker Market fans can look forward to beloved returning merchants like the always-popular All of Us, Dog Collar World, Round Top Collection, and Treasured Accessories. Houston Ballet’s own Nutcracker Boutique will be back showcasing its spectacular ornament and Nutcracker collections. A complete list of merchants can be found at nutcrackermarket.com.
This year’s Nutcracker Market is chaired by Susan Binney and Jennifer Kushner, both longtime Houston Ballet and Nutcracker Market supporters. As Houston Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, 11 percent of all merchandise sales, along with admission and special event ticket proceeds, directly supports the Ballet, its Academy, and its scholarship programs.
In 2024, Nutcracker Market welcomed more than 99,000 shoppers and generated $23 million in sales, resulting in $6 million raised for Houston Ballet. Since its debut in 1981, the Market has raised $97.6 million to directly support Houston Ballet, helping make ballet more accessible through education initiatives, scholarships, and free programming at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance.
Thanks to funds raised by the Market, Houston Ballet Academy is able to provide primarily free programming throughout the year. Through 17 of the Education and Community Engagement programs, 61,370 Houston-area individuals were introduced to ballet. More than $1 million in scholarships were awarded, allowing talented students to pursue their dreams at the Houston Ballet Academy. Additionally, students from 287 local schools and 24 community centers had their first experience with ballet through free programming and performances.
Nutcracker Market is proudly supported by Wells Fargo, KRBE, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Houston Methodist, Mattress Firm, Fifth Third Bank, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, and many more. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 713-535-3231 or visit nutcrackermarket.com.
Source: Nutcracker Market
