The 44th Anual Holiday-Spirited Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Shares Terrific Trio Of Events

Three VIP Event Experiences Raise Over $2 Million For Houston Ballet

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Daniel Ortiz

THE SCENE: Over three days in Houston, several thousand Houstonians attended a trio of events to benefit one of the city’s most beloved organizations and most anticipated cultural, shopping, and holiday events. These patrons were on hand for a trio of VIP experiences for the 44^th Annual Nutcracker Market, benefiting the Houston Ballet.

THE VIBE: The festivities started on the first night with the Wells Fargo Preview Party where several hundred of the city’s most fashionable, cultural, and philanthropic patrons of Space City descended upon the NRG Center. Dressed in their finest holiday-chic cocktail attire, they had a chance to purchase goods from the legendary market, sip on their favorite cocktail, and enjoy music by the David Caceres Orchestra.

The following afternoon, nearly 1,500 of Houston’s top fashionistas went back to the NRG Center, specifically One NRG Park, for the Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show & Luncheon honoring Houston Ballet patron Sharon Erskine. KHOU’s Great Day Houston Host Deborah Duncan served as emcee, overseeing a fun afternoon of fashion and philanthropy. As guests dined on their lunches stageside, they were treated to a fashion show featuring looks by Sachin & Babi Designs against the backdrop of modern and classic Christmas tunes.

The next day, 1,500 more of Houston’s most fashionable headed back to One NRG Park for the Macy’s Fashion Show & Luncheon honoring Houston Ballet Patron Cheryl Zane. KRPC Anchor Amy Davis served as emcee and highlighted a program where diners enjoyed their lunches as chic, ready-to-wear looks of cream and gold hues graced the runway, and with it capping off an epic three days of fun, fashion, shopping, and philanthropy.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 2024 Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market was co-chaired by Megan Kessler and Tracy Williford. The Wells Fargo Preview Party co-chaired by Cecilia Campbell, Ann Graham, and Blair Kessler raised over $1.22 million for the Houston Ballet. The Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show & Luncheon, co-chaired by Ileana Treviño and Beth Zdeblick raised over $450,000 for the Houston Ballet. The Macy’s Fashion Show & Luncheon, co-chaired by Michelle Barrett, Sarah Davidson, and Michelle Jeffrey raised over $370,000 for the Houston Ballet. In total, the three events raised over $2 million for the Houston Ballet. Proceeds raised from the events will benefit Houston Ballet’s program, education, and community outreach initiatives. Since 1981, Nutcracker Market has raised over $90 million for the organization.