let the holiday shopping begin

9 vendors breaking into Houston's Nutcracker Market for the first time

The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is back and ready to kick off the holiday shopping season. One of the city's most highly anticipated shopping events returns for its 44th year with 270 merchants, including 25 new businesses. From November 14 to 17, NRG Center will be filled with holiday finds, including food, clothing, jewelry, one-of-a-kind gifts, and home décor.

"We are delighted to welcome the Houston community back to Nutcracker Market," said Houston Ballet chief development officer Angie Lane in a statement. "As we celebrate the Market's 44th year, we reflect on its continued growth and impact on our city. Houston Ballet is honored to have created a tradition that brings joy, fosters community spirit, and helps support our programs year after year."

Each year, the Nutcracker Market's Merchant Review Committee curates a selection of vendors that mix beloved favorites with fresh newcomers to provide a unique holiday shopping experience. For the second year, the Nutcracker Market is proud to introduce merchants through its Wells Fargo Small Business Diversity Program, which helps small minority-owned businesses participate in the shopping event. This year's lineup includes Twilight Candle Co., Tori Artis Planners, Africa on my Back, Sinless Treats, and Que Bonito Mexican Fashions.

Comfortable shoes, a gaggle of pals, and plenty of patience are the three essentials for a successful Nutcracker Market experience. To make this year's event even easier, we've curated a must-see list of exciting new vendors you won't want to miss.

BlueQuail Clothing Co.
BlueQuail Clothing Co. offers protective kids wear made with stain-resistant, UPF50+ fabrics inspired by the great outdoors that will help keep kids safe from UV rays.

EK the Boutique
The Elise and Katie Boutique offers on-trend clothing and accessories to help build women's confidence and spread joy.

Fabuplate
Fabuplate offers premium quality paper plate and napkin sets that are perfect readymade gifts for the holidays. Each set comes in a reusable, clear gift bag that makes for a fantastic customizable gift or a chic, easy-to-clean presentation.

Gold + Grace permanent jewelry
Gold+Grace Jewelry offers customizable permanent jewelry with a variety of chains in sterling silver, 14k gold-filled, solid 14k gold, and a wide selection of charms.

Nativity Market
Shoppers can find nativity sets from around the world available at every price point, size, and style.

Paul Michael Company
Nutcracker Market regulars will be excited to learn that highly sought-after home décor company Paul Michael Company is returning after a two-year hiatus. Paul Michael Company will introduce the new Holiday House collection featuring expertly sourced Christmas décor.

Sugar Sand Tan
Sugar Sand Tan offers professional sunless tanning products that are organic and made to keep the endless summer vibes going.

Tart by Taylor
This Dallas-based décor company offers over 100 of its popular designs including acrylic coasters, trays, champagne flutes, and decorative book boxes.

Tori Artis Planners
Handmade and designed in Houston, Tori Artis Planners offers stationery items, planners, and gifts, including personalized notecards, pens, pads, and accessories.

Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market

Running November 14-17 at NRG Center, Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is back for its 44th year, ringing in the holiday season for eager shoppers.

houston ballet houston nutcracker market

VAULT VIBES

Houston fashion star Chloe Dao marks 25 years with epic clean-out sale

Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

From January 24- 31 Chloe Dao will open her personal design archives to mark 25 years with a rare boutique vault sale.

For Houston fashion devotees, this is the kind of news that prompts a calendar alert and a group chat with the besties. Chloe Dao is celebrating 25 years in fashion by doing something she has never done before: opening the vault.

From January 24 through January 31, the Chloe Dao boutique will host a 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, releasing pieces from Dao’s personal design archives alongside curated boutique items that have been held back for years. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.

“This is not a typical sale; this is an anniversary moment,” Dao says. “It’s an intentional release, a moment of reflection and gratitude, and a way to make space for what’s next. Once these pieces are gone, they’re truly gone."

For the first time ever, shoppers will be able to snag select designs from past collections and limited production runs, and Dao has confirmed she will be parting with some of her couture designs. Shoppers can expect more than 300 items, with more than half of the boutique included in the sale event.

Chloe Dao design Select runway couture and past collection pieces headline Chloe Dao’s 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Event.Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

Everything in the anniversary sale will be discounted 65 percent or more. Fan favorites, including the Houston T-shirt and Aya scarf, will be priced at $15 to $20, down from $42 to $68. None of the released pieces will be reproduced or restocked.

There is also a very personal moment behind this big event. Dao shared that she is planning for the future, including her eventual retirement in about 5 years, making this the right time for a shift.

“It is bittersweet, and I’m still torn about letting go of some of my archive pieces. But a close friend stopped by the boutique this past Saturday and reminded me that I can always create more. That really stayed with me. I’ve missed designing for my store, and this sale feels like a reset — a chance to return to what I love most: designing eveningwear," Dao tells CultureMap. "The past six years, especially post-COVID, were very much about survival mode. Now, if I’m going to truly survive and thrive in today’s retail landscape, my focus is shifting back to my own line and less on curation.”

Following her Project Runway Season Two win and decades of success, Dao says the milestone is also about gratitude for the city that supported her from the start.

“Think of it as an archive release and a chance to own a piece of my history as I celebrate 25 years in fashion. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m so excited to share this moment, and this milestone, with you."

25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, January 24 - January 31, Chloe Dao Boutique, 600 N Shepherd Dr #115, in M-K-T Heights.

chloe dao anniversary sale chloe dao retirement chloe dao