The days are getting cooler, but things are heating up in El Paso. Festival season is here, bringing fresh energy and even more color to El Paso’s brilliant tapestry of museums, public art, rich history, and distinctive architecture.

For those who’ve never ventured to the “Sun City,” you’re in for a treat. El Paso offers a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. With 300+ days of sunshine, 190+ murals (the fifth largest street collection of murals in North America), and dozens of museums and galleries, this city shines year-round. With four signature festivals happening this fall, it’s an especially exciting time to visit.

Vivamos! Mexico

The autumn event calendar kicks off in mid-September with “Vivamos! Mexico”—El Paso’s official El Grito celebration. El Grito de Dolores commemorates the call to arms that launched Mexico’s fight for independence. Hosted with our neighboring Sister City, Ciudad Juárez, the event celebrates Diez y seis de Septiembre—Mexico’s Independence Day — with a fiesta you won’t want to miss.

The free, family-friendly event includes mariachi bands, folkloric dancing, lucha libre, and food, glorious food! Come hungry and ready to exercise your vocal cords.

Way Out West Country Music Festival

Cole Swindell headlines this year’s W.O.W. Country Music Festival on the last Saturday of September. Here in the boot-making capital of the world, you’ll want to do some two steppin’ or line dancing to some of Cole’s #1 singles.

Beyond the music, the evening’s full of contests, including the Quest for the Best Margarita. It’s only fitting since El Paso is the birthplace of the margarita! You’ll also find a cornhole tournament and a Chili Challenge. There’s a mechanical bull, too, that’s best ridden after the liquid courage (i.e. tequila) but before the chili.

Chalk the Block

Each October, Downtown El Paso becomes a giant art canvas at the Chalk the Block art festival. Grab a piece of chalk and add your artistic flair to the streets and sidewalks of Downtown El Paso. No mistakes, just happy accidents à la Bob Ross are on the agenda. Any chunk of concrete or asphalt in the Downtown Arts District is fair game except for the designated competition spaces where more than 100 local, national, and international artists turn ordinary pavement into masterpieces.

Chalk the Block is a multi-media affair. Larger-than-life interactive art installations, live music, and free programming at nearby museums and the El Paso Downtown Visitor Center are on tap. And in true El Paso fashion, you’ll find scrumptious treats and local artisans selling their wares throughout the event.

Dia de los Muertos Desfile & Festival

In late October, El Paso celebrates one of its most meaningful cultural traditions with the Dia de los Muertos Desfile & Festival. Rooted in ancient Mesoamerican customs and blended with Hispanic Catholic traditions, the Day of the Dead honors loved ones who’ve passed away. The festival begins with a colorful parade featuring floats, musicians, dancers, and giant marionettes.

Throughout the day, visitors can admire the heartfelt ofrendas or memorial altars, along with the alebrijes — colorful folk art sculptures that are a combo of real and mythical animals. Delicate tissue paper banners or papel picado flutter overhead, creating a festive atmosphere that reflects both remembrance and joy. Mariachi performances, ballet folklórico, and The Market with traditional foods and local art add to the festivities. Dia de los Muertos is one of the most visually stunning and culturally significant events of the year.

Come for a Festival, Stay for . . .

The art, the history, and the food. The city’s museums alone offer plenty to explore between events. Behold the masterpieces at the El Paso Museum of Art and the International Museum of Art and delve into the past at El Paso Museum of Archeology and the El Paso Museum of History. Several centuries-old adobe missions and the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens explore life beginning in the colonial period, as well. For families traveling with kids, La Nube STEAM Discovery Center captivates young (and young-at-heart) minds with its interactive exhibits.

Are you interested in Hispanic culture and art? Visit the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) or stroll around El Segundo Barrio. Here in the Second Ward, mural artists have shared their Chicano culture and the gritty history of the neighborhood which dates to the 1880s.

Art enthusiasts should also seek out the murals by famed WWII artist correspondent and El Paso native, Tom Lea. While his paintings hang in local museums, his murals grace many public buildings. A self-guided tour of his work offers a fascinating look into El Paso’s history.

Downtown itself serves as an open-air gallery for muralists. Whether the artist has covered an entire wall or left a tiny art treasure for you to discover, a Downtown Arts District walking tour is well worth the steps you’ll put on the pedometer. Along the way, you’ll see the historic Plaza Theatre, independent coffee shops, and quaint eateries.

To explore further afield, hop on the free vintage streetcar and head to The University of Texas at El Paso. The campus is home to Bhutanese-inspired architecture and the Lhakhang — a Buddhist temple that was a gift from the Kingdom of Bhutan. Its ornate interior with traditional, floor-to-ceiling artwork is a sight to behold and yet another reminder of El Paso’s cultural diversity.

Plan Your Visit

As you explore the wonders of El Paso, plan to stay for a few days this fall. The city rewards visitors who slow down to experience the festivals, the culture, and the warm welcome of our vibrant community.