Houston Ballet’s Spring Nutcracker Market returns to NRG Center in April 2026: dates, tickets, rules

A spring edition returns after a multi-year break

Houston Ballet’s Spring Nutcracker Market is scheduled to return to NRG Center on April 17–19, 2026, bringing back a warm-weather version of the city’s well-known holiday shopping fundraiser. The spring market last operated in 2019 and is being revived for 2026 after a four-year hiatus.

The event is expected to feature nearly 150 merchants, with a product mix geared toward spring and summer shopping—seasonal décor, apparel, accessories, gourmet items and giftable merchandise. Organizers describe the spring edition as a scaled, seasonal counterpart to the larger November Nutcracker Market, which draws tens of thousands of shoppers to NRG Center each year.

Dates, hours and venue details

The market will take place at NRG Center, 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston. Public hours are set as follows:

• Friday, April 17, 2026: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 18, 2026: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, April 19, 2026: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An early-access shopping window is also scheduled on Friday morning before general admission opens.

Ticket options and what they include

Two primary admission types have been announced:

• General admission: $20, valid for one-day entry on any of the three days.
• Early bird admission: $40, includes early access Friday (8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and allows repeat entry across all three days.

Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. Ticket sales for the spring market are expected to open in February 2026. Day-of tickets may be available on site, with on-site payment limited to cash or check.

Fundraising structure and beneficiary programs

The Spring Nutcracker Market functions as a fundraiser for Houston Ballet. Admission proceeds are directed to the organization’s arts education programming. In addition, a portion of participating merchant sales is structured to benefit Houston Ballet-related programs; published figures vary by event materials, with some listings stating 10% and others 11% of merchandise purchases benefiting the organization.

Entry policies and accessibility notes

Shoppers should plan around entry restrictions commonly used to manage crowds and aisles. Strollers, carts, rolling bags, wagons and pets are not allowed. Mobility aids—including wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, medical strollers and electric scooters—are permitted.

Attendees must present physical tickets or authorized e-tickets for entry; photos of tickets are not accepted.

Looking ahead

Future dates have also been published for the spring market: April 16–18, 2027, and March 31–April 2, 2028, indicating plans to establish an ongoing annual spring schedule at NRG Center.