Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market

Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market began in 1981 and grew from humble beginnings in a church bazaar setting into a four-day shopping extravaganza modeled on European and Latin American street markets; former First Lady Barbara Bush cut the ribbon at its opening. Hundreds of booths, most of them local Houston merchants, sell home décor, gourmet food, apparel, accessories, toys and men's items. Ticket proceeds and a share of every purchase go back to Houston Ballet, its Academy and scholarship programs, adding up to more than $97 million since the start.

Our take: Allow extra time to park at Reliant Park, then let the trams or pedicabs carry you from the lots to the Market entrance.