Houston's Nutcracker Market ready for you to shop - online
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The 2020 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market won't look like it usually does this year, but you'll still be able to get your shop on at the holiday event.
Now through Dec. 11, the market will be virtual and include nearly 150 merchants instead of the usual 270 who pack NRG Center.
Note that Nov. 11 is Wells Fargo Early Bird Day. In other words, you could pay $30 for early access and receive offers on promotions and giveaways.
The market's website says online early access pass sales are now closed, but you can still get one by calling 713-535-3231.
Otherwise, customers can join the market to shop Nov. 12. The market opens at 9 a.m.
But despite the virtual component, organizers are still trying to keep it festive.
"There is a chat room and chat feature, so people can chat and chime in, and talk about the fun things they found," said CEO Patsy Chapman.
Still, the maker of Houston's most loved marinara sauce won't be there this year.
"We've gotten a lot of emails, and a lot of requests, and we are just so disappointed," said Anna Zander of Donne di Domani marinara sauce.
The ladies of Donne di Domani say they looked at all their options, but realized their sauces are just too heavy and too fragile to ship. Like other vendors, they just aren't equipped to transition to virtual orders this year.
But for all the sauce lovers out there, the ladies have a message.
"We will make double the amount of sauce next year, and 2021 is going to be our biggest year ever," said Zander.
In September, it was announced the in-person shopping event would be canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but you could still shop online.
If you had purchased tickets to the in-person Nutcracker Market in advance, you should have received an email.
As usual, 11% of merchandise sales from the virtual market will support Houston Ballet programs, its academy and scholarship programs.
Earlier this year, the Houston Ballet Spring Nutcracker Market went virtual due to the pandemic.
