Group Travel
Annual Events
Amigo Airsho
Amigo Airsho is El Paso's premier event! Ranked as one of the top ten air shows in the country. The show is filled with thrilling air entertainment and fun ground activities for the whole family to enjoy.
PERFORMERS
Canadian Forces Snowbirds
With extreme precision and grace, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds perform their breath-taking formations and maneuvers with mere feet of separation. Requiring the highest degree of piloting skills and maintenance expertise, the team flies their nine-plane formations with distances as close as 4-feet of wing overlap at speeds ranging from 100 to 320 knots during their exciting show, which is comprised of more than 50 different maneuvers.
US Army Golden Knights
In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team. For more than 44 years the "Golden Knights" have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems. The Golden Knights not only perform at air shows, compete on an international level and perform high profile tandems they also visit high schools and work with local recruiters showing young adults what type of opportunities the Army has for them.
Tim Weber
Tim Weber discovered aviation at the age of 13, and first flew solo in a glider at 14 years old. Within a short time, he had soloed in several different types of gliders and had begun exploring aerobatics. As time went by, Tim moved into flying powered aircraft while continuing to perfect his aerobatic skills. As a result of his aggressive flying style and natural ability, Tim is one of the top airshow performers in the United States today. A self-taught musician, Tim is also the only full-time airshow pilot that performs to music he wrote and recorded himself. You won�t want to miss his high-energy, hard-core aerobatic show in the GEICO Extra 300S.
Greg Poe Airshows
Greg is a native of Boise, Idaho and has spent most of his life there. He started his flying career at an early age and earned his pilots license while still a teenager, flying out of the old Strawberry Glen airport along side the Boise River.
His flight instructor, John Chambers, introduced him to aerobatics early on and it quickly turned into a passion that continues to this day.
Greg's early flying was done in a variety of tail wheel type aircraft and he spent many hours at Idaho back country airstrips. After earning commercial and instrument ratings Greg became a flight instructor and has specialized in tail wheel training, aerobatics (from basic to unlimited) and has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable advanced spin instructors in the country.
F-15 Strike Eagle
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a modern American all-weather strike fighter, designed for long-range interdiction of enemy ground targets deep behind enemy lines. A derivative of the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, the Strike Eagle proved its worth in Desert Storm, carrying out deep strikes against high-value targets, performing "Wild Weasel" (SEAD) patrols and providing close air support for coalition troops. The F-15E Strike Eagle can be distinguished from other U.S. Eagle variants by its darker camouflage and the conformal fuel tanks mounted along the engine intakes.
USAF Military Demos
The Aerial Events Branch is responsible for scheduling the public display of ACC aircraft, specifically, the six Single-Ship Demonstration Teams, the B-2 and the F-117A. We also coordinate static display and flyover support of other ACC aircraft to air shows worldwide. In addition, we manage the Heritage Flight program, which consists of vintage World War II and Korean-era aircraft flying in close formation with the ACC Single-Ship Demonstration Teams at air shows.
USAF Heritage Flight - P38
In 1997, the Air Force celebrated its 50th Anniversary as a separate branch of the service. In support of the celebration, ACC started flying dissimilar formation flights consisting of our Single-Ship Demonstration Teams and Civilian Warbird Pilots. These flights reflect Air Force airpower from past to present. The Amigo Airsho is proud to host PORKY II flown by Steve Hinton.
US Navy TAC/DEMO F/A18
The Commander Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) annually selects
certain squadrons on each coast to provide special F-18 demonstration flights in
support of recruiting goals and to facilitate public awareness of the military
hardware currently employed in the front line. F-18 TACDEMO planes and pilots
are selected and trained each year in order to perform at selected air shows
across the nation.
US Navy Legacy Flight
The Tailhook Legacy Flight program matches the frontline fighters of today with their predecessors in close flight maneuvers at air shows nationwide. USN F-18 Tactical Demonstration fly on the wing of World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters.
Jet Powered School Bus
PAUL STENDER and SPEED FOR HIRE -- with the "School Time" jet powered school bus,will leave you shocked and amazed!
Freestyle Motocross
"World Stunts" Freestyle Motocross team will perform three exhibitions on a course consisting of multiple jumps of varying lengths and angles which consist of difficult tricks and variations over jumps.
Along with the Freestyle Motocross comes the thundering sounds of the Monster Truck.
Larry L. Strain
Larry Strain, a 25 year airshow veteran, spent 15 years as a radio/television news anchor. A licensed commercial pilot, Strain holds types in jets as well as several warbirds and has flown in over 100 airshows. He was selected by the Air Force Chief of Staff to narrate the 50th Anniversary Golden Air Tattoo of the United States Air Force at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The largest show ever sponsored by USAF. He has narrated literally hundreds of shows throughout the United States.
Armed Forces Day
Established in 1949 by the Secretary of Defense, this day allows Ft. Bliss to showcase itself to the American Public. It is a great community evnt that promotes our military and civilian personnel. A 1977 Presidental Proclamation decreed that Armed Forces Day be held on the third Saturday in May.
Fort Bliss specific activities inclide a 5K fun run with awards presentation, opening ceremonies honoring each Armed Service, Militrary Police Working Dog Demonstration, entertainment throughout the day, a Health Fair military equipment on static display, Rappelling demonstratrations and opportunities, historical tours of Fort Bilss, the famous chili cook off, food and drink, and various other displays from numerous organizations such as the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau. Stop by the CVB's tent and receive free information and enjoy a variety of booths relating to El Paso's area attractions.
Boo at the Zoo
Pumpkin Bowling, Kiddie Mazes, Lots of Candy at Treat Stations Sponsored by Local Businesses & Costumes Galore! You just have to be a part of the largest outdoor safe trick-or-treat event in El Paso! It's merry not scary - kooky not spooky! Watch the different animals eat or play with pumpkins! Your children will go away with a full bag of candy and a smile on their faces – you’ll leave with great photos for the scrapbook and warm memories of your adorable little ones.
Bourbon Street on Cincinnati Street
Every year in El Paso on Fat Tuesday, Cincinnati Street is draped in an excess of beads and booze for the Mardi Gras celebration. Thousands are expected to descend on the popular party district to experience tonight's street festival.
Area bars and resteraunts like Hemingway's, Bar 26, Cincinnati Street Bar and Grill, Casa Jurado and the newly opened Marco Polo will offer drink specials and mix popular Mardi Gras drinks, such as the Hurricane and the Hand Grenade, for an estimated 7,000- 10,000 people.
Celebration of our Mountains
Celebration of Our Mountains is a month-long festival of events to encourage appreciation of the El Paso region's environment. More than 30 hikes, field trips, driving tours, nature walks, bicycle rides and other activities are listed below. This year we've expanded the Celebration to offer outings all month long. Most events are free; some have costs listed for park entry fees, transportation or other nominal expenses.
These events have been planned and coordinated by a volunteer Celebration of Our Mountains Committee, which formed last year to carry on the work begun by the UTEP Department of Geological Sciences, which continues to sponsor many of the events. Other special support has been given by Texas State Parks and Wildlife, Texas A&M Master Naturalists Program, Ardovino's Desert Crossing and El Paso Scene. Printing of this guide is sponsored by El Paso Scene, Print World and Sun Harvest Farms.
Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta
Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at Tom Mays Park in El Paso. FREE entry to Franklin Mountains State Park Tom Mays section all day as members of the community come together to celebrate the Chihuahuan Desert.
Concordia Walk Through History
Each year in October the volunteers of Concordia Cemetery invite the public to take a walk through Concordia Cemetery and visit the leading citizens, Buffalo Soldiers, ex-Mexican presidents, Jesuit priests, gunfighters and more. Volunteer's dress in period costume and share historical vignettes of their past lives.
Visit El Paso's own "Boot Hill" where gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, lawman, Texas Rangers, Mexican Generals many other wild west character's are buried. Relive El Paso's wild west history with gunfighters and shady ladies recreating ddramatic and melodramatic reenactments. And don't forget to stop by the Emporium or visit the other great exhibits during the Walk Through History.
Looking to explore your families past or know some history about someone buried at Concordia? Interested in taking a tour? Or need an interesting speaker for that special meeting or event? Then contact Concordia Heritage Association at 915.751.7215 for more information.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Two Sister Cities – Together Forever
Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the perspective of some other cultures, celebrants typically approach Día de los Muertos joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter, with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased and the continuation of life. The belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.
We invite you to participate in this series of events designed to entertain and educate families from both sides of the border and all walks of life. Join us for a weekend full of exciting events rich with cultural heritage.
The celebration typically will take place over three (3) days, at various locations in El Paso-Juarez. A variety of events are planned for both adults and children and include live entertainment featuring El Paso’s talent, lectures, children’s theatre, an arts and crafts market featuring artists and artisans from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, a mock funeral procession with professional actors, altars exhibit, and much more.
The origins of Día de los Muertos in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples such as the Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, Nahua, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors were observed by these civilizations for perhaps as long as 3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead", corresponding to the modern Catrina.
In most regions of Mexico November 1 honors deceased children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. Death, to a certain extent, is celebrated as a special occasion. Elements like water, earth, fire and air as symbols as the soul is passed from one life to another. Plans for the festival are made throughout the year, including gathering of goods to be offered to the dead. During the period of October 31 to November 2, families usually clean and decorate the graves. Most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings, which often include orange marigold called "cempasuchil", originally named cempaxochitl. In modern Mexico, this name is often replaced with the term Flor de Muerto, Spanish for "Flower of the Dead." These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.
Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels), and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or sotol for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods such as candied pumpkin, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) or sugar skulls and beverages such as atole. The ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. The pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives.
Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes. These altars usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, and scores of candles. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing so when they dance the dead will wake up because of the noise. Some will dress up as the deceased.
Public schools at all levels build altars with offerings, often omitting the religious symbols. Government offices also usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as important to the Mexican heritage.
Those with writing talent sometimes create short poems, called calaveras (skulls), mocking epitaphs of friends. This custom originated in the 18th-19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a dream of a cemetery in the future, proceeding to present the epitaphs on the tombstones. Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of José Guadalupe Posada. Theatrical presentations of Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla are also traditional on this day.
A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (skeletons), and foods such as sugar skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.
The traditions and activities that take place in celebration of perhaps are not universal and often vary from town to town. For example, in the town of Pátzcuaro on the Lago de Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, the tradition is very different if the deceased is a child rather than an adult. On November 1 of the year after a child's death, the godparents set a table in the parents' home with sweets, fruits, pan de muerto, a cross, a Rosary (used to ask the Virgin Mary to pray for them) and candles. This is meant to celebrate the child’s life, in respect and appreciation for the parents. There is also dancing with colorful costumes, often with skull-shaped masks and devil masks in the plaza or garden of the town. At midnight on November 2, the people light candles and ride winged boats called mariposas (butterflies) to Janitzio, an island in the middle of the lake where there is a cemetery, to honor and celebrate the lives of the dead there.
In contrast, the town of Ocotepec, north of Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos opens its doors to visitors in exchange for 'veladoras' (small wax candles) to show respect for the recently dead. In return, the visitors receive tamales and atole. This is only done by the owners of the house where somebody in the household has died in the previous year. Many people of the surrounding areas arrive early to eat for free and enjoy the elaborate altars set up to receive the visitors from 'Mictlán.
In some parts of the country, children in costumes roam the streets, asking passersby for a calaverita, a small gift of money.
Celebrations of the holiday are growing steadily across the United States, adopting ancient traditions and creating new rituals. Día de los Muertos is quickly becoming an international event.
The events are made possible by a collaborative between organizations from the sister cities of Ciudad Juárez and El Paso. Día de los Muertos 2007 – Two Sister Cities, Together Forever, is coordinated in partnership with the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation, Sun Metro, the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, Museo de Arte INBA in Ciudad Juárez, Adair Margo Gallery, Hal Marcus Gallery, and several other partners.
Dia de los Niños, Dia de los Libros
In 1997, at the request of renowned children’s author Pat Mora, the El Paso Public Library, and the Parks and Recreation Department began the tradition of holding an annual festival to celebrate the youth of El Paso, Texas. The festival had two primary goals. One was to create a family event that people of all cultural, social, and economic backgrounds could attend and enjoy. The other was to promote the importance of literacy and education. That event drew 500 people to the Armijo Library. Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros was born.
During the last 7 years, organizers have given away over 50,000 books and goodie bags filled with fruit, toys and educational material to the children who have attended. This effort helped bring the love of books and reading to children who might not otherwise have had that opportunity.
Hundreds of children marched in the Día de los Niños parade which started at Fox Plaza at 10:00 am. At Washington Park there were plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. There were dozens of activity and game booths, a stage with live entertainment all day, jumping balloons, and free books and goodie bags for all the children.
Event booths are free but everyone is asked to provide games and prizes for the children who take part. No one will be allowed to charge any amount except nominal fees if you are a food or beverage vendor.
Downtown Street Festival
Enjoy non-stop live entertainment on 3 outdoor stages! Choose to listen at the Rock Stage by the Art Museum, Latin Stage on the Plaza, or a Kids Stage inside the Convention Center. Through out the Street Festival you will find delicious, local food. Something for everyone to enjoy.! Refreshments, ice cream and ice cold beer to help beat the heat.
Inside the El Paso Convention Center you will find a variety of entertainment for the kids from fun rides, games and the live entertainment on the Kids Stage. The Rio Grande Classic Car Club will display some of the southwest most beautiful and well-restored vehicles you have ever seen. Make plans to come out and enjoy this Fourth of July weekend with us at the El Paso Downtown Street Festival.
El Paso Marathon
The El Paso Marathon Foundation mission is to organize a first-class marathon that promotes health and fitness in the community, brings tourism to the region of El Paso and provides support to local and national non-profit organizations.
Shed your layers at the start and pack dry clothes and your favorite post-race snack for the finish. You'll receive a gear check bag and label at the Expo. Your goodie bag will serve as your gear bag on race day.
Michelob Ultra and Good Time Stores have expressed their commitment to improve the quality of life for El Pasoans by supporting activities such the marathon. Their support enables the El Paso Marathon Foundation to reach out to runners, as well as the entire community to promote health, fitness and wellbeing.
The Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon is 26.2 miles long. The Good Time Stores half marathon is 13.1 miles long. Both races will start at 7 A.M. at Lynx Exhibits, 300 W. San Antonio Street and go through Kern Place, the University of Texas at El Paso and on to the beautiful upper valley. The full marathon will then continue toward Sunland Park Casino into New Mexico then head back to El Paso through Anapra finishing at the same location as the start.
Proceeds from the marathon will support the El Paso Diabetes Association, Avance, The El Paso Police Foundation and VOLAR Center for Independent living.
Invited guests include fourteen of the world-famous Tarahumara distance runners from Mexico.
Bags must be claimed by 2 p.m. on race day. DO NOT leave valuables, cash or jewelry in your gear bag; the event is not responsible for any lost items.
Both gun and chip time results are sent to the Boston Athletic Association, which accepts chip time as a qualifying time. Qualification times earned at our yearly marathon will be valid for Boston entry. Please direct all Boston Marathon registration questions to the Boston Marathon organization.
Elephant Festival
Festival is the word – as we highlight our favorite pachyderms in a celebration of elephants worldwide. R.S.V.P. for the Ele-Fantastic Breakfast and bring the kids for the Ele-Fun Produce Hunt! You’ll have BIG fun!
Featherfest
The event offers tours and presentations by local experts, family activities and look at the developments at El Paso Desert Botanical Garden and the Chihuahuan Desert Experience. Admission is free, but donations appreciated.
Keystone Heritage Park has 189 species of migratory and local birds, and a 4,500-year-old archaeological site
Fiesta de las Flores
The Fiesta de las Flores was developed by L.U.L.A.C. Council 132 in El Paso, Texas in 1953, to Appreciate and Celebrate our Hispanic Culture and Communities while promoting and keeping our Hispanic Heritage and Traditions - alive. Fiesta de las Flores, draws an average of……55,000 to 70,000 visitors and over 100 businesses with Thousands more during the Annual Fiesta de las Flores Parade and Labor Day weekend events. Events include food and game booths, arts and crafts, car show, Fiesta de las Flores Pageant, World Championship Huacha (washer throwing) Tournament and evening concerts.
Fiesta de Las Flores is the largest fundraising activity for LULAC Council 132 and other LULAC Councils in El Paso. Since 1953, the Fiesta de Las Flores event has helped Council 132 award more than $1,700,000.00 in scholarships to local students seeking higher education.
First Thanksgiving Celebration
"La Toma" is one of the most significant historical events in this hemisphere and the first of its kind in America. Thanks to the chronicles of Gaspar Perez de Villagrá, the official chronicler, military outfitter and missionizer of the Don Juan de Oñate y Salazar expedition (1598-1609), we have a written history of this most important event. 1998 marks the 400th anniversary of the Don Juan de Oñate epic expedition through El Paso del Norte.
The Mission Trail Association has put tremendous effort into getting this event recognized. In April of 1989 the feast was re-enacted at the Chamizal National Memorial, and nearly 4,000 people attended. This re-enactment is now held every year on the last Sunday of April. Every year the play is improved. In the past two years a table with the actual banquet has been added. Many more monks have been incorporated into the play.
Franklin Mountains Poppies Celebration
The event includes nature talks, wildlife displays, educational exhibits, demonstrations, crafts, music and refreshments. The celebration runs all day and includes music, entertainment, and tequila tasting in the afternoon. The event is free to the public.
Generation 2000
Generation 2000 is a two day event that encourages children and parents to work together in over 100 specialty events, booths, games and interactive displays that are aimed at entertaining and educating children of all ages.
As in the past, Generation 2000 will still have Mini Golf, Giant Bubbles, Science Area, Clowns, Mural Painting, Giant Sand Tables, Beading Area, and more fun stuff for the whole family. Pazos will also be on hand with several interactive games and rides such as the Rock Wall Climb, Belly Bouncers, Jump House, and lots more.
Hueco Tanks Interpretative Fair
Traditional Native American song and dance, folkorico and matachine dancers, pictograph and birding tours.
Hyundai Sun Bowl and Fan Fiesta
The first Sun Bowl game was played on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1935, as a fund-raising event for the El Paso Kiwanis Club. The club was seeking to raise money for underprivileged children and to finance improvements to the El Paso High School Stadium, the site of the first game. The game featured a team comprised of El Paso high school all-stars against the Ranger (Texas) High School Bulldogs. The All-Stars came from behind in the third quarter and held on in the fourth for an exciting 25-21 victory over the 1934 state runner-ups.
The success of that first game resulted in the founding of the Sun Bowl Association, whose threefold purpose was to present an annual football attraction of national importance, to promote El Paso and the Southwest, and to generate tourist income for the area. The public was invited to suggest a name for the game. Dr. C. M. Hendricks, who would become the association's first president, offered the name "Sun Bowl." A weeklong schedule of events was added, and four other local service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Optimist, and 20-30) joined the Kiwanis in coordinating the entire "Sun Carnival" calendar.
The success of that first game resulted in the founding of the Sun Bowl Association, whose threefold purpose was to present an annual football attraction of national importance, to promote El Paso and the Southwest, and to generate tourist income for the area. The public was invited to suggest a name for the game. Dr. C. M. Hendricks, who would become the association's first president, offered the name "Sun Bowl." A weeklong schedule of events was added, and four other local service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Optimist, and 20-30) joined the Kiwanis in coordinating the entire "Sun Carnival" calendar. In 1936, the first collegiate Sun Bowl game was played. New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State) and HardinSimmons College tied 14-14. During these early years it became a tradition to match the Border Conference Champion against the best available opponent. The fourth Sun Bowl in 1938 was moved to the 15,000-seat Kidd Field on the campus of Texas School of Mines and Metallurgy (later renamed Texas Western College and known today as the University of Texas at El Paso). In 1963, the game was moved to the new 30,000-seat Sun Bowl Stadium. The 1982 game was the first Sun Bowl game in the newly-expanded Sun Bowl Stadium of over 51,000. In 2001, hundreds of seats were removed in order to soccer-size the stadium. The stadium's new capacity is 50,426.
Fan Fiesta
Located at the El Paso Convention Center, this event is packed with FREE activities and games for kids under 6, FREE face painting, FREE balloon animals creators, FREE magic acts, performances by local bands, battle of the university bands and cheerleaders, food and drinks are available for purchase, and $5 for unlimited access to all kids' inflatable games. Plenty of parking will be available in the El Paso Convention Center parking garage. Stay and see El Paso's largest fireworks spectacular of the year!!
Sun Bowl 5k Run and Walk
This run/walk will begin in the back parking lot at 3333 North Mesa Street behind the Las Palmas LifeCare Center. Parking will be available at the Las Palmas LifeCare Center. Awards to the winners of each division will be presented following the race. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers in the run only. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each age group in the run only.
KLAQ International Balloonfest
For more than 20 years, the radio station has sponsored one of the city’s most anticipated summer events. Each year, between 5,000 – 8,000 people head to Wet ‘N Wild Waterworld located in Anthony, TX (just outside of El Paso) to watch the early-morning launching of over 75 hot air balloons and enjoy water rides and live concerts. Balloons of all shapes and sizes will fill up the Borderland’s sky over Memorial Day Weekend.
Touted as an “international” balloonfest, balloon pilots travel from around the world to fly at the event. Traditionally, these festivals are held yearly in many cities around the world (there are five in the state of Texas). Balloon fests offer balloonists the chance to participate in balloon races and display their balloons to the throngs of people that come to watch the high-flying spectacle.
While there are hundreds of these festivals across the globe each year, KLAQ’s Balloonfest separates itself from the pack by hosting the event at a water park and, as KLAQ is the city’s most popular rock station, attendees are treated to all-day live rock music.
With a plethora of water rides including a 16-foot climbing wall, a 418-foot water slide and a Wild Island Wave pool, the festival is an ideal event for each member of the family. Younger children can enjoy the “Old Woman & The Shoe,” a double slide designed for infants and toddlers while adults can enjoy the Raging Rapids Bumper Ride.
As for the rock concert, local bands will take to the stage at various times, national level rock bands will keep the good times rolling. As of press time, exactly which rock bands performing have not yet been confirmed, although lineup details should be available by early April.
La Que Buena Gordita Festival
The Festival features authentic Mexican food, beverages, arts and crafts, a kids zone and carnival rides. Live entertainment includes both national and local performers.
Mexican Independence Day
The celebration commemorates the “Grito de Dolores” that Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave the night of the Sept. 15 that ignited Mexico’s rebellion against Spain. The Mexican Consul General’s office honors Mexico’s independence with this ceremony filled with live music and ballet folklóricos dancing, and ending with fireworks.
With a purpose of re-introducing our Mexican cultural ancestral roots to the new Mexican-American youth"VIVA MEXICO!" THeatrical performance is conveniently scheduled to coincide annually with Mexico’s Independence from Spain located at the Chamizal National Memorial Theater while appealing to individuals and families from Las Cruces, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
Music Under the Stars
Located on land that was once in Mexico, the Chamizal National Memorial, El Paso's National Park, is a park of peace. The Memorial serves as a tribute to the peaceful solution of a long standing border dispute between the United States and Mexico. The park's programming incorporates this theme in their 22-year-long Music Under the Stars World Festival summer partnership with the City of El Paso Arts and Culture Department.
The partnership was created in response to a need for a free, safe venue for family get-togethers during the summer. There is a strong tradition of weekend family picnics and gatherings. The population of the area has limited access to entertainment in quality settings. The park had the space and the professional staff, the City had the cash resources and the planning personnel.
Music Under the Stars World Festival opened to an outdoor audience of over 6,000 individuals this year. Families gather early to enjoy the open green areas available to the public. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. During the summer, there are 12 performances in addition to the Fourth of July Celebration. The sounds of jazz, salsa, Latin romantic, big band, swing, mariachi, oldies and Texas Swing fill the night time air as Chamizal National Memorial's staff works hand-in-hand with City Arts and Culture personnel to produce the events. The City Arts and Culture personnel is responsible for booking the performers. The park has professional sound and light technicians, as well as interpretation, enforcement and maintenance staff. Park personnel set up and take down the stage, take care of the sound and lights, and distribute trash bags. Maintenance staff helps maintain the appearance of the park and enforcement keeps everyone safe. In recent years, park staff has worked with the City in having interpreters tell the story of Chamizal during intermission breaks. This strengthens visitor awareness and gives them an opportunity to buy-in to this important regional heritage.
The relationship between the City and the park has evolved over its 22-year partnership. Today's relationship has become much more partnership oriented - sharing duties and responsibilities. Today, the City and the park are partners in providing the Music Under the Stars World Festival.
Pro-Musica Chamber Music Festival
El Paso Pro-Musica was founded in 1977 by Bruce Nehring, its first Artistic Director. The inaugural concert was a performance of Handel's “Messiah” in December of that year. The following spring, El Paso Pro-Musica went on to present an ambitious series of four performances featuring Bach cantatas and instrumental compositions. 1978-79 marked the organizations first complete year of performances.
Over the years, El Paso Pro-Musica has established itself as one of the city's most respected organizations with a celebrated annual concert series and a history of bringing great music to our city and region. The El Paso Chamber Music Festival, co-founded by Bruce Nehring and Stephen Prutsman in 1990, brought internationally renowned musicians to El Paso . Under the leadership of Kwang-Wu Kim, Artistic Director of El Paso Pro-Musica from 1993-2001, and now President of Longy conservatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Festival and the organization developed a national reputation for artistic excellence and innovation, aided in great part by live broadcasts each year of Festival concerts on National Public Radio.
Based on a firm conviction that the experience of live music is an essential one and that a concert series alone cannot suffice to provide access to musical excellence for everyone, El Paso Pro-Musica has been dedicated to promoting educational and cultural development in the community. An extensive outreach program takes performances to schoolchildren, the elderly, and others who may not have the opportunities to attend performances. Every effort is made to encourage young people to attend concerts through a generous ticket pricing policy for students. Pre-concert talks, open rehearsals, and master classes provide further opportunities for audience members to share in the exciting process of learning about music.
In 2001, El Paso Pro-Musica celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary season and the beginning of a new chapter in its history with the appointment of Artistic Director, Zuill Bailey who comes to us with an education from the Juilliard School of Music and the Peabody Conservatory. He has an established career as a concert cellist and an international reputation as a musician. There are many milestones ahead for El Paso Pro-Musica. Each concert season lifts the artistic bar to an even higher level.
Visit the site for a listing of the seasons performances.
San Jacinto Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting
The official lighting of the Christmas Tree and displays in San Jacinto Plaza has been a holiday tradition in the City of El Paso since 1936. The 50 ft. live Christmas Tree was donated by Mrs. Corrine Boyce of EL Paso in 1998 in Memory of her late husband Charles (Chuck) Boyce.
The tree is an Afghan Pine an dis decorated with 5, 000 light bulbs (amber, blue, green and red) and over 500 ornaments are used to decorate the tree. The other 16 trees inside the Plaza are decorated with 350 light bulbs each, 21 Sidewalk trees decorated with 350 light bulbs and 11 Palm trees with 350 light bulbs each.
Other Christmas displays throughout the Plaza are 14 lighted stars on lamp posts with 100 bulbs each, 15 lighted arches with 108 bulbs each, lighted Peace on Earth, and much, much more!
Season of Lights
Annual Lighting Ceremony dates back to 1992, hundreds of thousands of spectators have enjoyed these magical lights.
Shakespeare on the Rocks Festival
Shakespeare on the Rocks is a special production where performances take place in an intimate outdoor setting, feature scripts edited for modern audiences, intergrate music and dance into the play, and features our best local talent. Both young and young at heart are sure to enjoy!
Siglo de Oro Drama Festival
The Festival celebrates Spain's "Golden Age" in which luminaries such as Lope de Vega, Miguel de Cervantes and Calderón de la Barca left a heritage of classical drama that has enriched the world with its beauty and passion. Over the years, symposia in both El Paso and Ciudad Juárez have provided a rich experience to both scholars and audience members with a vivid comparison and discussion of the original literary form inspired by the modern theatre productions staged at the Festival.
The Chamizal's Student Outreach Program gives hundreds of students every year the opportunity to examine the contemporary world through the relevant eyes of the past and to understand that although material culture may change, people and emotions have remained the same through the centuries. The presentations instill in the students a sincere love of literature and a keen appreciation of their language and traditions.
The Siglo de Oro Drama Festival remains an important cultural manifestation that is directly linked to communication and education, and is an endeavor that contributes genuinely and effectively to our society on both sides of the border. Over the past thirty-one years the Festival has hosted more than 250 productions from fifteen countries, involving more than 150 directors and 3,000 cast members, playing before a combined audience of 125,000.
Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo
Dont miss the 17th oldes rodeo in the Nation and El Paso's longest running sporting event!
The Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo is an all volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of rodeo and benefiting the community. Each year we provide scholarships to El Paso area
4-H and FFA students entering college as youth programs at various elementary schools and support for local cancer foundations.
Rodeo now has evolved from its rough origins into a high-stakes, glamorous sport. It is no longer a friendly, informal competition-it's big, it's prestigious and it's tough competition with a tremendous audience. More than 20 million spectators attend rodeos each year, and millions more watch on television. It is also big-league business for its players who work hard for their paychecks. The rewards however can be more than monetary for those that succeed. Rodeo is more than a job and a profession for most of these competitiors-it is a way of life.
Fund raiser information and entry forms available online. For tickets please contact 915.755.2000.
St. Nicholas Greek Festival
Taste traditional Greek food such as: gyros, loukaniko, souvlaki, pastitsio, and mousaka and the various Greek pastries including: baklava, koulourakia, and paximadia. Sip on Greek beer, wine or coffee while enjoying the live entertainment of the Greek band The Aegean Sounds and the Hellenic Dancers. Also available is a church tour of St. Nicholas, as well as a Children’s Activity Corner.
Proceeds from the St. Nicholas Greek Festival benefit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and various charities in and around the El Paso area.
Sunland Derby
The track offers a $100,000 bonus any 3-year-old winner with any other previous graded earnings, a winner's share of $500,000.
The race, is considered Sunland Park's signature event. Features of the race , include the 1 1/8-mile distance and the field of 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
Viva! El Paso
Experience four centuries of El Paso's history in the picturesque outdoor McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater!
VIVA! El Paso is a musical drama staged outdoors each summer in the McKelligon Canyon, an urban park located just two miles from the city's edge. The amphitheatre is nestled in the Franklin Mountains, providing a majestic and dramatic backdrop for the depiction of the unique history of this Southwestern region. VIVA! El Paso has come to be known as the "soul" of El Paso because it takes the city's special, multi-cultural qualities and conveys them through a sensitive, first class production, that is a tremendous source of community pride.
VIVA! El Paso was created in 1978 to serve as a showcase for El Paso's cultural history and a performing outlet for El Paso's talented youth. In the past 30 years VIVA! El Paso has become one of the city's best tourism and educational resources.
The lengendary performances detail 400 years of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Western American peoples throught traditional dance, original song, brilliant costumes, and stunning special effects.
Ysleta Mission Festival
The Festival focuses on El Paso’s culture, history, and traditions. This Festival hosts a variety of live music that highlight the best in El Paso. Gathered on our beloved Mission, adults, and children of all ages come together for three days of games, food, and outstanding music that represents a dynamic mix of exciting emerging talents here in the west Texas region. The Festival is a family event, drawing a broad demographic from the region and international tourist.
The Festival weekend will have continous entertaiment from top local bands and in keeping the great Tejano tradition will also provide headling acts from the Tejano capital of the world, San Antonio, Texas. Previous headliners have also been Grammy award winners!