Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
Día de los Doggies
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology invites dog owners and their four-legged companions to its annual Día de los Doggies celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive. The free, family-friendly event serves as a pre-celebration to the city’s Día de los Muertos festival and features hands-on activities, local vendors and plenty of opportunities for canine-friendly fun. Leashed pets are welcome to join in the festivities alongside their families. Information: epmarch.org
Fall Festival at Ascarate Park
El Paso County will host its second annual Fall Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Drive. The free, family-friendly event invites residents to enjoy an evening of seasonal fun with live music, food vendors, a trunk-or-treat, a costume contest, jumping balloons and other activities for all ages. Organizers encourage attendees to come in costume and celebrate the fall season with friends, family and neighbors at one of El Paso’s most popular community spaces. Information: facebook.com/ascaratepark
Community Ofrendas at the MACC
The Mexican American Cultural Center will host the inaugural Community Ofrendas Exhibition opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at 201 W. Franklin Ave. The exhibition features six unique altars created by local community organizations, each honoring loved ones who have died while also showcasing the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Visitors are invited to learn about the participating organizations and the symbolism behind their altar designs, offering an introduction to this enduring borderland cultural celebration. The exhibition will remain on view in the MACC Community Gallery through Nov. 9. Information: epmacc.org
‘Copal: History & Traditions with Cantareras’
The El Paso Museum of History will host “Copal: History & Traditions with Cantareras,” a two-day workshop exploring the sacred uses and cultural significance of copal in mesoamerican tradition. Participants will learn about the resin’s historical and cosmological importance while crafting their own popoxcomitl — a traditional incense vessel — to take home. The sessions take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the museum, 510 N. Santa Fe St. The $100 registration fee includes all materials and firing costs. Registration closes Friday, Oct. 24. Information: epmuseumofhistory.org
‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’ at Wise Theatre
The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Theatre and Dance will perform a play based on Erika L. Sanchez’s novel about a Chicago teen who struggles to balance her immigrant parents’ expectations with her dreams of becoming a writer. “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” adapted by Isaac Gomez, will show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 25 and 30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre, 2nd Floor, Fox Fine Arts Center on campus. Tickets are $12 for students, $15 for university faculty and staff, alumni, seniors and military, and $18 for adults and available at ticketmaster.com. Information: utep.edu/theatredance
Oculto Film Fest
The Oculto Film Fest returns to the borderland this fall with events on both sides of the Rio Grande — Oct. 24-25 at El Paso’s Plaza Theatre and Nov. 1-2 at the Paso del Norte Cultural Center in Ciudad Juárez. The festival will showcase a mix of horror and fantasy films from around the world, alongside short film blocks, master classes, panel discussions and industry talks. Highlights include international features such as “The Mouth of the Soul,” a gore musical comedy from Estonia, and a wide selection of short films from Mexico, Spain, Chile, Argentina and beyond. Information and schedule: ocultofilmfest.com
Coming Up
• Junior League Christmas Fair: The Junior League of El Paso’s holiday tradition, A Christmas Fair, returns for its 52nd year with the theme “An Enchanted Christmas,” from Friday, Oct. 31, to Saturday, Nov. 2, at the El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza. The event will feature a forest-inspired marketplace filled with shopping, entertainment and family activities — including photo opportunities with Santa Claus. The annual event serves as the League’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting local programs such as Girls on the Run International and the JLEP Wellness Collaborative, which partners with organizations like La Nube and the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation to promote community wellness. A VIP preview shopping night will kick off festivities on Oct. 30. Information and schedules: achristmasfair.com
• ‘Noche de Calaveras’ at La Nube: La Nube will host an adults-only celebration honoring Día de los Muertos during “After Hours @ La Nube: Noche de Calaveras” from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. Guests are encouraged to wear festive Day of the Dead attire, from sugar skull face paint to flower crowns, as they enjoy live music, karaoke and a catrina costume contest. The event will also feature hands-on STEAM activities inspired by Día de los Muertos traditions and traditional snacks and sweets. The first 250 attendees will receive an exclusive Día de los Muertos tote bag. The event will take place at La Nube, 201 W. Main Drive in Downtown El Paso. Information and tickets: la-nube.org
• Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival: The Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival invites the community to Downtown El Paso on Saturday, Nov. 1, for a daylong celebration of life and remembrance. The event, hosted by the Mexican American Cultural Center and the city’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 201 W. Franklin Ave. Attendees will take in a mile-long parade featuring floats, folklórico dancers, musicians and community groups. Free cultural programming will take place across the Downtown Arts District museums, alongside an artisan market and food truck plaza highlighting local vendors. The festival, rooted in Mesoamerican traditions and the observance of All Souls’ Day, offers families an opportunity to honor loved ones while experiencing one of El Paso’s largest public celebrations. Information: epmacc.org
• El Paso Winefest: The 12th Annual El Paso Winefest returns Nov. 1-2, bringing together wine, food and live entertainment for a weekend of culinary celebration. The grand tasting event Saturday, Nov. 1, will feature more than 500 wines alongside dishes from 25 local restaurants, with both general admission and VIP tickets available. On Sunday, Nov. 2, the gastronomic battle will showcase Michelin-star chefs mentoring culinary students in a timed competition judged by bloggers, the public and industry leaders. Proceeds from the festival benefit the RotaCare free medical clinic in El Paso’s Lower Valley. Tickets range from $75 to $250, with weekend passes and group packages also available. Information: elpasowinefest.com
Mark Your Calendar
• WinterFest: The city of El Paso’s WinterFest holiday event begins Saturday, Nov. 22 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Downtown. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at San Jacinto Plaza with the Scherr Legate Lights Parade starting at 6 p.m. WinterFest features holiday lights displays at San Jacinto Plaza, Cleveland Square Park and throughout the Downtown Arts District, ice skating, fiestas, movies, pictures with Santa, and a slew of special events. Full schedule to be announced. Information: epwinterfest.com
• El Paso Matters 9.15K: The El Paso Matters 9.15K will leave the starting line at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. More than just a race, the 9.15-kilometer course highlights community pride by honoring the region’s area code, with proceeds supporting El Paso Matters’ nonprofit journalism. Runners, walkers and supporters are invited to participate in this celebration of local stories and connection, with the event blending fitness, identity and civic engagement. Registration is now open. Information: elpasomatters.org
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