El Paso Matters – Jazmine Ulloa discusses El Paso history, La Nube hosts Wine and Wonder

Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.

Book Talk: Jazmine Ulloa on El Paso’s history

New York Times reporter and El Paso native Jazmine Ulloa will discuss her new book, “El Paso: Five Families and One Hundred Years of Blood, Migration, Race, and Memory,” in a conversation with El Paso Matters CEO Robert Moore. The event will explore the city’s history through the experiences of five families, followed by an audience Q&A, book sales and a signing.

When: 7 p.m. Monday, March 9
Where: Philanthropy Theatre, Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
Cost: Free; registration encouraged
Information: Jazmine Ulloa Book Talk

Wine and Wonder at La Nube

La Nube will host an adults-only evening event featuring after-hours access to the museum, wine tastings, a guided charcuterie class, hands-on STEAM activities, live music and karaoke. The program offers participants an opportunity to explore exhibits and take part in interactive experiences, including wine charm making, cork coaster engraving and sensory workshops.

When: 7-10 p.m. Friday, March 6
Where: La Nube, 201 W. Main Drive
Cost: Ticketed event
Information: la-nube.org

Live Active El Paso Hike-A-Thon

The city’s Live Active El Paso program is bringing back its Hike-A-Thon, a series of guided hikes taking place at trails and trailheads throughout El Paso from March through early May. The hikes are designed to encourage residents of all ages to stay active while exploring local outdoor spaces, with routes ranging from beginner-friendly to moderate difficulty. The first hike in the series is this weekend.

When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Resler Canyon Loop, intersection of Cadiz Street and Fiesta Drive.
Cost: Free
Information: liveactiveep.com

EPSO’s ‘Peter and the Wolf’

Sergei Prokofiev’s classic symphonic fairytale “Peter and the Wolf” follows a young boy who ventures into the forest and encounters a wolf with the help of his animal companions, with each character represented by different orchestral instruments. The performance features narration and staging by the Youth Opera of El Paso in collaboration with La Nube.

When: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
Cost: $11; $6 for children ages 3-12
Information: epso.org

El Paso Home & Garden Show

A three-day event focused on home improvement and outdoor living, featuring exhibitors and resources for renovation, design and landscaping projects. The event brings together vendors and experts offering products, services and ideas for home and garden upgrades.

When: 2-6 p.m. Friday, March 6; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 7; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Where: El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza
Cost: Free
Information: showtechnology.com

Youth Opera of El Paso’s ‘A Note of Explanation’

The Youth Opera of El Paso presents the world premiere of “A Note of Explanation,” an original children’s opera by Shoshana Yavneh Shattenkirk and A.J. Freeman, based on a miniature children’s book by author Vita Sackville-West that was commissioned in 1922 for Queen Mary’s dollhouse library. The production follows a time-traveling sprite’s adventures inside the dollhouse.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Where: Philanthropy Theatre, Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
Cost: $32.55
Information: yoep.org

Migratory Bird Day

Chamizal National Memorial will host a free community event celebrating migratory birds and the region’s ecosystem through family-friendly activities, including a guided bird tour, brunch with a bird specialist and a hands-on bird feeder workshop.

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial St.
Cost: Free
Information: 915-532-7273 or nps.gov/cham

Free Mission Trail Tours

El Paso County and Visit El Paso host free monthly tours of the historic Mission Trail, offering participants a guided visit to the region’s three active historic churches. Attendees may ride in a provided van or drive their own vehicle, with tours departing from the Mission Valley Visitor Center. Registration is required and space is limited.

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: Mission Valley Visitor Center, 6095 Alameda Ave.
Cost: Free; registration required
Information: elpasomissions.org

6th Annual 4928 Peter John Herrera Memorial 5K Run/Walk

The annual memorial 5K returns to Ascarate Park, featuring an opening ceremony followed by an 8 a.m. race. Awards will be presented to top overall male and female finishers, age-group winners and first responder categories, including a four-person team division. Registration includes a race shirt, medal and brunch, while supplies last. Dogs and strollers are welcome.

When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 8 (race begins at 8 a.m.)
Where: Ascarate Park Pavilion, 6900 Delta Drive
Cost: $45 early registration (through March 5); $50 late (March 6-7); $60 race day
Information: 915-273-3800 ext. 5393 or runsignup.com

UTEP Men’s Basketball Final Home Games

The University of Texas at El Paso men’s basketball team will close out its regular-season home schedule with two Conference USA matchups at the Don Haskins Center. UTEP enters the week with a 10-19 overall record and a 6-12 mark in conference play, and holds a winning record at home this season.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 (vs. Kennesaw State); 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7 (vs. Jacksonville State)
Where: Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Road
Cost: Tickets start at $9.56
Information: utepminers.com

Coming Up

Poppies Fest

A multi-day festival celebrating Castner Range National Monument and the portion of the landscape open to the public, Poppies Fest brings together local artisans, vendors and performers while highlighting Native American voices, traditions and land stewardship. Organized by the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, the 2026 edition introduces a new festival-weekend format in March and will be preceded by a February partner pop-up at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, featuring hands-on activities and information about the upcoming festival, with participation from the Mexican American Cultural Center, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and GECU.

When: Friday-Sunday, March 13-15; 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Where: El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Road
Cost: Free
Information: epmarch.org

Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District

A monthly event featuring extended hours at cultural institutions across the Downtown Arts District, with special programming, an artisan market, live music, food and community organization booths. Participating sites include the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and other downtown venues.

When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 19
Where: Downtown Arts District, One Civic Center Plaza and surrounding locations
Cost: Free
Information: epmcad.org

El Paso Pro-Musica presents ‘The Biriba Union’

The El Paso Pro-Musica concert series will feature the Biriba Union, an ensemble led by cellist Mike Block of the Silk Road Project. The trio blends original compositions with influences from Brazilian and Latin American traditions, hip-hop and American roots music, with an emphasis on jazz improvisation. The group will also perform at the free Bach’s Lunch program at noon Friday, March 20, at the El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21
Where: UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, 500 W. University Ave.
Cost: $25 adults; $20 seniors/military; $5 students
Information: elpasopromusica.org

Landscape Expo

El Paso Water will host its annual Landscape Expo, offering guidance on water-smart landscaping for homes in the desert environment. The free, family-friendly event will feature landscape experts sharing tips on irrigation, plant selection and sustainable garden design, along with interactive garden activities for children, soil testing information and “ask the expert” resource tables.

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 21
Where: Tech2O Center, 10751 Montana Ave.
Cost: Free
Information: tech2o.org

Mark Your Calendar

Change Makers 2026: Women in the Arts

The annual Women’s History Month celebration presented by Progress321 and El Paso Matters this year will honor women whose creative work or advocacy has shaped the arts across the El Paso borderland, including artists, musicians, writers, performers, filmmakers, designers and arts supporters. Nominations for Change Makers 2026 are open through Friday, Feb. 20.

When: Thursday, March 26
Where: Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 E. Franklin Ave.
Cost: To be announced
Information: El Paso Matters Events

Community Planting at La Semilla

A community gathering to mark the planting season at La Semilla Community Farm, featuring a guided planting activity led by farm staff, along with performances, food and a collective blessing of the land. The event, part of the “Les Sembrantes (The Sowers)” exhibition organized by the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, brings together farmers and food culture practitioners of all ages.

When: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 11
Where: La Semilla Community Farm, 350 Our Wy Rd, Anthony, New Mexico
Cost: Free
Information:La Semilla Community Farm

Borderland BeerFest 2026

DeadBeach Brewery will host the return of Borderland BeerFest, a free-admission craft beer festival featuring breweries from Texas, New Mexico and California, along with food vendors, artisan booths and live entertainment. The all-ages event will offer beer tastings and full pours through a drink ticket system, with non-alcoholic options also available.

When: Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Where: DeadBeach Brewery, 3200 Durazno Ave.
Cost: Free admission; drink tickets available for purchase
Information: deadbeach.com

Dia de Los Niños / Dia de Los Libros

The city’s annual Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros celebration marks its 30th anniversary with a day of family-friendly activities promoting literacy and culture. The event begins with a neighborhood parade and continues with games, booths and community activities organized by the El Paso Public Library and Parks and Recreation Department.

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 25
Where: Pavo Real Park and Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
Cost: Free
Information: elpasolibrary.org

Taste of El Paso Festival

The second annual Taste of El Paso Festival will bring together local restaurants, food trucks and breweries for a daylong celebration of regional cuisine, craft beer and live music in Northeast El Paso. Organizers say the event will feature more than 20 food vendors, regional beers on draft and cultural activities throughout the day.

When: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, April 25
Where: NEEP Collective, 8144 Dyer St.
Cost: Admission from $15; all ages
Information: Taste of El Paso Instagram

BTS at Sun Bowl Stadium

Global K-pop superstars BTS will make their first appearance in El Paso as part of their 2026 world tour, performing two nights at Sun Bowl Stadium. The shows mark the group’s return to the stage following a multi-year hiatus while members completed mandatory military service in South Korea.

When: Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3
Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive
Cost: Sold out. Tickets available on secondary markets.

Post Malone and Jelly Roll at Sun Bowl

Chart-topping artists Post Malone and Jelly Roll will bring their Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2 to El Paso, with Carter Faith joining the lineup. The stadium tour follows the success of the duo’s first joint run.

When: Wednesday, May 13
Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive
Cost: Prices start at $98
Information: Tickets on sale via Ticketmaster

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