Things To Do

Annual Events

White Sand Balloon & Music Festival

The White Sand Balloon & Music Festival combines the beauty of the Tularosa Basin Landscape, Red Dirt Country Music, Hot Air Balloons, and Family-Friendly Activities. You don’t want to miss out on stunning hot air balloons, live music, tasty food and drink vendors, friendly petting zoo, cornhole tournaments, and more fun all weekend long! The Alamogordo Center of Commerce has partnered with the New Mexico Tourism Department to ensure a successful event that is fun for the whole family.

Sun City Pride Fest
Photograph by Sun City Pride Fest
Downtown El Paso
915-534-0600

Founded over a decade ago, the El Paso Sun City Pride is the region’s largest LGBTQ organization. Over the course of a decade, our Pride Fest has grown beyond one day to include a full month of events around the city. The month of PRIDE includes family-friendly events with the Chihuahuas and Locomotives at Southwest University Stadium, scholarship presentations, nights out at the bars, and concludes with the annual PRIDE Festival in Downtown El Paso following the PRIDE parade.

Sun City Craft Beer Festival
Photograph by El Paso Live
One Civic Center Plaza
915-534-0600

This 21+ event was made for the most passionate of beerlovers — the Sun City Craft Beer Festival features over 150 craft beers, along with beer-related art booths and brewing lessons. It doesn’t just feature craft beer though — they also serve high-quality liquors and wines, so this festival has something for everyone. In addition to the alcohol, there is a game zone, live music, and a multitude of food vendors to indulge in, especially for your designated driver. Head to the Convention Center Plaza for this indoor and outdoor event.

El Paso Puzzler Mountain Bike Race
Franklin Mountains State Park
(915) 433-1752

Conquer the largest urban State Park in North America! The Puzzler Mountain Bike Race challenges its riders with 6,200 feet of climb on single track technical terrain.

Hueco Rock Rodeo
6900 Hueco Tanks Rd. #1
(915) 857-1135

Hosted by the American Alpine Club this three-day event hosts various adventure films, slide shows, live music, clinics and the highly anticipated bouldering competition . The event draws a large crowd of American and International competitors who duel it out at one of the most iconic bouldering locations in the U.S.

Lone Star 100
Franklin Mountains State Park
(832) 472-4453

This is a True Texas Mountain Race in the Franklin Mountains. The race will be run at an average altitude of 4800’ and climb to 7192’ which is the top of North Franklin Peak. The climb to North Franklin Peak is nothing short of rewarding as the view from the top is truly spectacular.

Sunland Derby
Photograph by Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
1200 Futurity Drive
575-874-5200

Listed as an official prep race for the Kentucky Derby, the Sunland Derby is where you might just catch a star on the rise. Visitors will marvel as racers compete for the $900,000 in prize money!

Mighty Mujer Triathalon
Photograph by Mighty Mujer Triathalon

Mighty Mujer Triathlon is an all-female “super sprint” that starts with a 300-yard swim in an indoor pool. The 15k bike course is followed by a 2-mile run in the Memorial Park area in Central El Paso. The “super sprint” course is perfect for beginners; the rolling hills will challenge seasoned athletes! Athletes must be 12 years old or older.

El Paso Comic Con
Photograph by El Paso Comic Con
One Civic Center Plaza
(575) 405-0461

El Paso Comic Con is a pop culture phenomenon that brings the best in entertainment to West Texas. With celebrity guest panels, autograph signings, photo ops, gaming competitions, cosplay, contests, special events, and KidCon, there is something for everyone. El Paso Comic Con gives fans up-close and personal interaction with their favorite actors, authors and stars.

Viva! El Paso
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre
915-534-0600

Four Centuries. Four Cultures. One City. Enjoy El Paso’s own outdoor musical extravaganza, in the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre. This colorful, musical spectacular celebrates the four major cultures that have influenced the City of the Sun. The Native American, the Spanish Conquistador, the Mexican, and the Western American cultures and their histories come alive through drama, song, and dance by a cast of over 50 performers. VIVA! EL PASO is an experience not to be missed! (runs June-August)

Plaza Classic Film Fest

Established in 2008, The Plaza Classic Film Festival is the world’s largest film festival dedicated to classic cinema. The event incorporates more than 80 feature films and 60 short films; from rare screenings of classics to screenings by up-an-coming directors. The Festival also includes film talks with celebrities and film scholars, concerts and special presentations. The Festival also has become a showcase for the work of local and area filmmakers through its Local Flavor series, which screens features, shorts, documentaries and other films by area filmmakers or those with strong local connections.

Broadway in El Paso Presented by El Paso Electric

Held in the historic Plaza Theatre, the Broadway in El Paso season is highly anticipated and showcases some of Broadways most notable performances. Season runs September-June.

Eagle in the Sun Triathalon
Photograph by Race El Paso

Eagle in the Sun Triathlon starts with a 400-meter swim in an Olympic-size indoor pool. The 20k bike course is an out-and-back on the historical Mission Trail, and the 5k run takes place on the Tigua Indian reservation! Individuals and relay teams are welcome for the event. The beginner-friendly course is flat and fast!

Dia De Los Muertos at Concordia Cemetery

The celebration of Dia de los Muertos at Concordia Cemetery includes ghost tours, fortune tells, exhibits and a Dia de los Muertos style altar.

Celebration of our Mountains

Enjoy the outdoor treasures of the El Paso del Norte Region during this six-week celebration. Bird watching, nature hikes and drives, mountain biking and even bat watches are part of this yearly festival. If you would rather relax than explore the young volcanic crater outside of El Paso, you can opt for the “Coffee, hot chocolate, muffins, and the tramway’ event. There is truly something for everyone, and most events are free.

Boo at the Zoo
4001 E. Paisano Dr.
(915) 212-0966

El Paso’s WILDEST trick-or-treat in town! This family-friendly event provides a safe environment to have some ZOO-rrific fun while celebrating Halloween! Enjoy candy stations, games, a maze animal enrichment activities and more!

Hueco Tanks Interpretative Fair

This free two-day event includes Native American dancing and drumming, a Buffalo Soldier encampment, Folklorico dancers, pictograph and birding tours, climbing demonstrations, environmental and cultural information booths, and an evening campfire storytelling program. Come learn about one of the El Paso area’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department presents Dia de Los Muertos

The City of El Paso celebrates Día de Los Muertos with performances, hands-on activities, special artists and farmers market, themed streetcar rides, and a parade in the Downtown Arts District. The Día de Los Muertos event represents a collaboration between the City of El Paso’s Museums, Cultural Affairs Department, and Streetcar. The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA), the El Paso Museum of History (EPMH), and the El Paso Museum of Archaeology (EPMArch). Visitors will enjoy a parade, local performers, and community floats.

Flying Horse Half Marathon
Photograph by Race El Paso

Flying Horse Half is a 13.1-mile road race that begins and ends at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. The run takes athletes on a flat course in the Upper Valley area of El Paso. Half marathoners will run the final mile on a racetrack, where they’ll be captured on live video. The 5k Run offers an abbreviated course.

Franklin Mountains Trail Runs 50k, 13.1 mile, 10k, 5k

This is a True Texas Mountain Race on the Franklin Mountains. The climb to the North Franklin Peak is a combination of straight climbing and switchbacks. The start/finish will be at the pavilion area circle inside of the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and Fan Fiesta

Since the first Sun Bowl played on January 1, 1935, as a fundraising event for a local service club, the game has grown to be one of El Paso’s top national attractions. With its picturesque stadium nestled between two mountains, it has become a piece of the Southwest and a lesson in history. Held a day prior to the game, the Fan Fiesta is a free, family-friendly event that features a fireworks display, musical performances by local bands, university pep rallies, and a battle of the bands.

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