Five things you need to know about the Nutcracker Market this weekend
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What began 38 years ago as a simple philanthropic idea of opening a small Christmas market in the parking lot of a Church to support the Houston Ballet Foundation, has transformed into a unique and grandiose Houston tradition called The Nutcracker Market.
The Nutcracker Market is one of the largest holiday markets in the United States and every year it opens its doors at the NRG Center in Houston. The Holidays are filled with delightful traditions and without a doubt strolling around the aisles of the Nutcracker Market discovering the marvelous Holiday gifts and decorations offered by the more than 250 local and international vendors has become one of the favorite activities of thousands of people who visit the market year after year and who pass the tradition from one generation to the next.
For me, this tradition begins this year, since yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Nutcracker Market Wells Fargo Preview Party for the first time and what I can tell you is that I was simply amazed. I had the opportunity to have a first look of everything they have to offer and was able to check off my list of Christmas gifts for my friends and family and got lots of decorations for my house, plus I also enjoyed a super fun party with live music and a delicious dinner.
Since Hilton is the official sponsor of the Nutcracker Market, after the event they invited me to stay at the C. Baldwin Hotel to enjoy all its luxurious amenities for one night.
The C. Baldwin Hotel is a perfect blend of modern decor and luxury and every detail during my stay was fantastic. I loved that the main lobby has a very chic bar as well as a cute coffee corner where cappuccinos and lattes are available throughout the morning.
A big surprise was to discover that renowned Chef Chris Cosentino opened an Italian restaurant inside the hotel as a homage to his beloved grandmother named Rosalie.
I found the vintage decoration fascinating and the dishes we enjoyed the most were the Risotto breaded balls, the arugula and prosciutto pizza and his grandma’s famous meatballs. Now I understand why Rosalie was published in the Robb Report as one of the most anticipated openings this fall in the US culinary world. Welcome to Houston Chef Cosentino!
Now, the five things you should know before you go to the Nutcracker Market:
1- 100% of the proceeds of special events and tickets, as well as 11% of purchases at the Nutcracker Market benefit the Houston Ballet Foundation. So, thanks to your purchases, the foundation grants more than 200 scholarships to low-income students with the dream of dancing Ballet, in addition to providing arts education to more than 70,000 students in the city of Houston, and it also gives many families the opportunity to enjoy art that without this support would be impossible.
2- The gifts you will find at the Nutcracker Market are unique and brought from many parts of the country and the world. So, you can be sure that you’ll discover original gifts that you will not find anywhere else.
3- Bring comfortable shoes since the market is huge with more than 500,000 square feet.
4- The Nutcracker Market takes place from November 14th to 17th. Admission is $20 and you can buy your ticket online at ticketmaster.com or at the NRG Center. Take into consideration that at the ticket counter they only accept cash or checks. You can also enjoy special events such as the Macy’s Fashion Show this Friday, November 15th, also at the NRG Center.
5- I recommend parking in the Theater District Parking located in Smith and Praire, or at the Lyric Center parking lot in Smith between Preston and Praire streets.
More information here:
Start your holiday vacation early and book your stay at the C. Baldwin Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton here:
