Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the Borderland in the coming week.
EPPM America 250 Premiere
El Paso Pro-Musica will present “Visions of Humanity and Unity,” a commissioned America 250 project featuring works by five composers inspired by the Declaration of Independence. The world premiere will feature the Arianna String Quartet, Grammy-winning cellist and EPPM Artistic Director Zuill Bailey and pianist Dominic Dousa, with the program also commemorating Beethoven’s 250th anniversary.
- When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
- Where: The University of Texas at El Paso, Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, 500 W. University Ave.
- Cost: $25 adults; $20 seniors and military; $5 students
- Information: 915-747-8163
Mission Trail Music Festival
The inaugural Mission Trail Music Festival will celebrate the history, culture and communities of El Paso’s Mission Valley with live music, dance and cultural performances, local vendors, interactive activities and family-friendly entertainment. The festival stretches along the historic nine-mile Mission Trail, with activities planned at several locations and opportunities to visit area restaurants, shops, galleries and historic sites.
- When: 1-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
- Where: Mission Trail Visitor Center, 9065 Alameda Ave.; Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center, 305 Yaya Lane; Socorro Mission, 328 S. Nevarez Road; Licon Dairy, 11951 Glorietta Road; and San Elizario Placita, 1521 San Elizario Road
- Cost: Free
- Information: visitelpaso.com
Fall School Break Series
TecH2O will invite families to explore water conservation through hands-on activities, interactive education and other fall-themed discoveries during its free School Break Discovery Series. The event is designed for families and children to learn about water and conservation through activities outside the classroom.
- When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
- Where: TecH2O Water Resources Learning Center, 10751 Montana Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: tech2o.org
Jewel Box Series: ‘La Vida Inútil de Pito Pérez’
The Jewel Box Series opens its 2026-27 season with “La Vida Inútil de Pito Pérez” at the Philanthropy Theatre. Created by the El Paso Community Foundation in partnership with El Paso Live, the series showcases local performing arts groups in the intimate theater inside the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre.
- When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
- Where: Philanthropy Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: $18-$19
- Information: elpasolive.com
Coming Up
Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District
Downtown El Paso museums, cultural institutions and other organizations will stay open later for Third Thursdays, a monthly event encouraging visitors to explore the Downtown Arts District. Participating locations offer special programming and activities, while an artisan market features local vendors, live music, food and community organizations.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
- Where: Downtown Arts District, 1 Civic Center Plaza and participating locations
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
Party on the Plaza: DJ Night
Party on the Plaza will close out its 2026 season with DJ Night at San Jacinto Plaza. Presented by GECU Federal Credit Union, the free outdoor concert series brings live music and DJs to Downtown El Paso on the third Thursday of each month from May through October.
- When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
- Where: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
EPSO: Heaven on Earth
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will present “Heaven on Earth,” featuring works by Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler under the direction of conductor Bohuslav Rattay. Soprano Meechot Marrero will join the orchestra for Strauss’ “Four Lieder” and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, with “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks” also on the program.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17; preconcert talk at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: $22.65-$62.80
- Information: epso.org
Brew at the Zoo
The El Paso Zoo will open after dark for its annual Brew at the Zoo, an age 21-and-older Halloween event featuring craft beer, food, live music and entertainment throughout the zoo. Costumes are encouraged, with VIP admission beginning an hour before the general event.
- When: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17; VIP entry at 6 p.m.
- Where: El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano Drive
- Cost: To be announced
- Information: El Paso Zoo Facebook
El Paso Fire Fest
The El Paso Fire Department will host its fifth annual Fire Fest with an afternoon of demonstrations, competitions and family activities at Veterans Park. This year’s “Blast From the Past” event will feature a helicopter landing, firefighter bucket brigade and battalion competition, firefighter chili cook-off and Fire Department lotería. Visitors can also find live music and performances, children’s activities, mascots, food trucks, a farmers market and on-site vaccinations.
- When: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17
- Where: Veterans Park, 5301 Salem Drive
- Cost: Free
- Information: El Paso Fire Department Instagram
TeenTober Fest
El Paso Public Libraries will celebrate local teens with an evening of music, games and activities at the Judge Marquez Library. TeenTober Fest will also feature food trucks and resource booths, giving young people an opportunity to connect with local organizations and learn about programs and other opportunities related to their interests and talents.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17
- Where: Judge Marquez Library, 610 N. Yarbrough Drive
- Cost: Free
- Information: El Paso Public Libraries Facebook
32nd Annual Hueco Tanks Community Fair
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site will celebrate the area’s natural and cultural heritage with its 32nd annual Community Fair. The family-friendly weekend will feature educational exhibits, hands-on activities, local food vendors, guided rock climbing, pictograph tours and hikes through the park.
- When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 17-18
- Where: Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1
- Cost: Free
- Information: tpwd.texas.gov
Mark Your Calendar
Día de los Muertos Desfile y Festival
The ninth annual Día de los Muertos Desfile y Festival will transform El Paso’s Downtown Arts District into a daylong celebration honoring loved ones and Mexican traditions. The free event features arts and cultural activities, community altars, local vendors, live performances and a parade showcasing about 60 floats, performers and community organizations.
- When: Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
- Where: El Paso Downtown Arts District, Downtown El Paso
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmacc.org
Amigo Airsho
The Amigo Airsho returns to Biggs Army Airfield for two days of military and civilian aviation demonstrations, static aircraft displays and family activities. The 2026 lineup includes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team, U.S. Army Golden Knights and aerobatic pilot Kirby Chambliss, along with a kids zone, STEAM exhibits, food vendors and performances by the 1st Armored Division Band.
- When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 24-25
- Where: Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss
- Cost: Tickets start at $30
- Information: amigoairsho.com
Boo at the Zoo
Families can celebrate Halloween at the El Paso Zoo during Boo at the Zoo, featuring candy stations, Halloween-themed inflatables and opportunities for children to explore the zoo in costume. The annual event offers a family-friendly Halloween experience alongside animals from the zoo’s Africa, Asia and Las Americas exhibits.
- When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
- Where: El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano Drive
- Cost: $13.95 adults; $10.95 teens, seniors and active-duty military or spouses; $8.95 children ages 2-12; free for children age 23 months and younger
- Information: El Paso Zoo Facebook
Chihuahuan Desert Conference
The Fourth Chihuahuan Desert Conference will bring researchers, conservationists and other participants to the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens for two days focused on the region’s wildlife, native plants, habitat preservation and restoration. The conference opens with an evening icebreaker Nov. 4, followed by presentations and sessions Nov. 5; registration also includes meals, refreshments and zoo admission on both days.
- When: Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 4-5
- Where: El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 4001 E. Paisano Drive
- Cost: $125; registration closes Oct. 20
- Information: chihuahuandesertconference.com
Halloween Carnivals
El Paso Parks and Recreation will host free Halloween Carnivals at recreation and community centers across the city. The neighborhood celebrations will feature costume contests, games, candy, jumping balloons and music.
- When: 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
- Where: El Paso recreation and community centers
- Cost: Free
Participating locations:
- Armijo Recreation Center, 700 E. Seventh Ave.
- Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
- Chihuahuita Community Center, 417 Charles Road
- Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Drive
- Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Drive
- Gary Del Palacio Recreation Center, 3001 Parkwood St.
- Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11620 Vista del Sol Drive
- Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd.
- Mountain View Park/Rae Gilmore Recreation Center, 8501 Diana Drive
- Nolan Richardson Recreation Center, 4435 Maxwell Ave.
- Officer David Ortiz Recreation Center, 563 N. Carolina Drive
- Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 901 N. Virginia St.
- Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
- San Juan Recreation Center, 701 N. Glenwood St.
- Seville Recreation Center, 6700 Sambrano Ave.
- Sylvia A. Carreon Community Center, 709 Lomita Drive
- The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Drive
- Valle Bajo Community Center, 7380 Alameda Ave.
- Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem Drive
- Wayne Thornton Community Center, 3134 Jefferson Ave.
Flying Horse Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Giddy Up Fun Run
The Flying Horse race will return to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino with four distances for runners and walkers of varying experience levels. Proceeds will benefit United Way of El Paso County and participating local nonprofits, and registered participants will receive a finisher’s medal and access to a post-race expo with refreshments and local vendors.
- When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
- Where: Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, 1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park
- Cost: $25-$105
- Information: flyinghorserace.com
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