Nutcracker Market & Christmas in Houston

In Houston, one of the kickoffs to the holiday season is the annual Nutcracker Market, a gathering of over 300 boutique owners selling their goods, which range from home décor, gourmet food, garden, clothing, sporting gifts, novelties, and accessories.  All proceeds from the Market benefit Houston Ballet Foundation, Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and its scholarship funds.  

It’s really fun to grab your girlfriends (I think men are allowed, however, I never seem to see any there:) and a Starbuck’s and enjoy seeing all the shops and handmade Christmas goodies.  I read that no strollers are allowed (probably because it gets so congested) so I’ll probably leave James home this year.  It’s getting more difficult to shop with him anyway.

Another telltale sign that the holidays are upon us, is when the holiday decor goes up on Westheimer Avenue in Highland Village.

(p.s. the new Restoration Hardware opens next week.  They are going to have a Baby & Child section in the store too, previously, they were only online).

The street is actually really pretty at night when all the white Christmas lights on the palm trees are lit.  Also, that shopping area plays music outside, which is nice to hear while you are walking around.
All images via.
What signals the start of the holiday season to you?   🙂

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

19 Comments

  1. It's so cool to see Christmas decor mixed with palm trees. 🙂 But that's because I'm a northern girl, I guess.
    The market sounds awesome,and is just another reason I wish were in Houston this week for work instead of Dallas. It seems as though Houston is the cool city.

  2. Your blog always makes me homesick! I was forced to move away from Houston when I got married to a Marine…Yes, I did ask if I could stay in Houston while he "plays war" but he said I couldn't. I usually make it home for the Nutcracker but this year, it didn't work out. I'm only *slightly* bitter. So, please post pics so I can live vicariously through your pics and my mom's stories. *Sigh*

  3. So funny you posted this…in Nashville, we have a holiday marked called Christmas Village that is this weekend–my Mom and I make an afternoon date out of it every year and it's one of my most favorite events to stock up on gifts, goodies, and food!

  4. Megan, I saw those pictures, and thought "hey that's my neighborhood" lol I've been following your blog but I had no idea that you were in Houston too! That's awesome. I'm sad I wont make it to the Nutcracker Market this year; I have enjoyed it in the past though, so have fun!!!!

  5. As much as I would love to go to the Nutcracker Market I am afraid of losing all self control there. I always hear how amazing it is.
    I was in Uptown Park last week and they were putting up their holiday lights, it made me so excited!

  6. So excited to hit the Nutcracker Market with friends on Saturday! It's my first time so I'm expecting to be completely overwhelmed — in a good way!! 🙂 That new RH is going to be insane – excited to check it out! Happy (almost) Holidays!

  7. I am sooo excited about the RH grand opening! Hoping to get in there this weekend sometime. Have fun at the Nutcracker Market!

  8. I love the decorations in Highland Village! So fun. And… I know this is sad, but I've never been to the Nutcracker Market! I'm 35 weeks pregnant so I'm not sure I could handle walking for that long, but next year!!! – Meg @ oismeblog.com

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