Do you put up holiday lights after Halloween or after Thanksgiving? Keep them up year round? We don’t judge, we just enjoy.
And if you’re ready to enjoy some holiday cheer, know that some of the city’s longtime traditional winter events are back on the calendar this year. Here’s a roundup of holiday events across the Borderland – from the city’s WinterFest to the county’s Lights at the Lake and more:
Magic of Lights at Wet ’N Wild Waterworld
Families can drive-through holiday-themed illuminated displays and more than 2 million lights starting Friday, Nov. 22, through Jan. 4 at the parking lot of Wet ’N Wild Waterworld, 8804 S. Desert Blvd., in Anthony, Texas. Magic of Lights will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $21 per vehicle in advance and $30-$35 per vehicle at the gate. Information: Magic of Lights.
A Christmas Fair: Howdy Holidays
The Junior League of El Paso presents the holiday shopping and festivities event Friday-Sunday, Nov. 22-24, at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in Downtown. Shopping hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $15; children age 5 and younger, free; $14 for military, seniors, kids and college students. Information: A Christmas Fair.
The outdoor ice skating rink is a popular attraction at the city’s WinterFest event. (Courtesy city of El Paso)
El Paso WinterFest
WinterFest, the city of E Paso’s annual winter holiday event, kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown with music by the Fort Bliss 1st Armored Division Band and St. Anthony’s Franciscanos Choir. The tree lighting ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Scherr Legate Lights Parade at 6 p.m.
WinterFest will feature lights displays, ice-skating, music and entertainment, arts and food vendors and more daily through Jan. 5 at San Jacinto Plaza, the Arts Festival Plaza by the El Paso Museum of Art and the Convention Center Plaza.
Special activities at the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, El Paso Zoo, El Paso International Airport and aboard the El Paso Streetcar will be part of WinterFest.
Free admission; ice rink prices vary. Information: WinterFest.
A float in the 87th Annual Sun Bowl Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2023, in El Paso, Texas.(Ivan Pierre Aguirre/Sun Bowl Association)
Sun Bowl Parade
The Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade starts at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, along Montana Avenue from Ochoa Street to Copia Street. This year’s theme is “Celebrate, Honor & Remembering All The Heroes Who Have Served.” The parade will air live on KTSM Channel 9 and online at ktsm.com. Parade review stand tickets are available at most Vista Market stores. Information: Sun Bowl Association.
El Paso Christmas Lights / Fred Loya Lights
The greatly popular El Paso Christmas Lights by the Fred Loya family returns to the Eastside this year. The Loya’s partnership with El Paso County for the light shows at Ascarate Park came to an end, but the magic will go on at 12001 Paseo de Oro Lane off Montwood Drive. Opening night is Friday, Nov. 29, with light shows at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Shows will run at the same time Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas. More details to come. Information: El Paso Christmas Lights.
Ascarate Park will once again be home to the county of El Paso’s Lights at the Lake winter holiday event. (Courtesy El Paso County Parks and Recreation)
Holiday Lights on the Lake
Lights on the Lake by El Paso County Parks and Recreation kicks off Saturday, Dec. 7, at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Drive, with holiday lights, music, food, entertainment and photo opportunities. The holiday display will be open for walk-throughs or drive-throughs through Jan. 6. Special events will be held Saturdays, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.
Holiday Movies at the Plaza Theatre
As part of WinterFest, the El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival and El Paso Live present the 13th annual Holiday Movie Series at various days and times from Nov. 24 to Jan. 5 at the Plaza Theatre and the El Paso Museum of Art Auditorium. Free admission. This year’s series kicks off with “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Nov. 24.
Lighting Campus for Hope
Texas Tech Health El Paso is hosting its 2nd Annual Lighting Campus for Hope holiday celebration in support of the fight against cancer from 6 to 8 p.m Friday, Dec. 6, at the university campus, 130 Rick Francis St. The free event includes lights, family-friendly activities and fireworks.
City of Socorro WinterFest
The city of Socorro’s lights parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Sanchez Middle School and ends at the Rio Vista Community Center, both located along N. Rio Vista Road. The city’s WinterFest follows at the center with food vendors, games, rides, art and crafts, live entertainment and pictures with Santa from 6 to 10 p.m.
City of Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The event is set for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main Street in Las Cruces with the tree lighting at 7 p.m. Live music, entertainment, food trucks and activities. Free admission. “The Muppets Christmas Carol” will be shown at 8 p.m. at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main Street, Las Cruces. Movie is $5 per person.
This list will be updated as more events are announced. Send your announcement to cramirez@elpasomatters.org to be added.
The post WinterFest, Lights on the Lake, Fred Loya Christmas Lights lead 2024 El Paso holiday events appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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