Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the Borderland in the coming week.
The Market at San Jacinto Plaza
The Market will continue its 15th season in Downtown El Paso with another Saturday gathering at San Jacinto Plaza. Established in 2011, the recurring market features original arts and crafts, food vendors, regionally grown agricultural products and local artisans and farmers, along with live entertainment.
- When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
- Where: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: Free admission
- Information: epmcad.org
Harry Potter Festival
Fort Bliss Art and Hobby will host a free Harry Potter-themed festival featuring local vendors, hands-on crafts and family-friendly activities inspired by the Wizarding World. Guests can browse a magical marketplace, enjoy face painting, create themed keepsakes and take photos at a Hogwarts-themed selfie station. The event is open to the public, though visitors without installation access must obtain a pass before entering Fort Bliss.
- When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
- Where: Marshall Park, 820 Marshall Road, Fort Bliss
- Cost: Free
- Information: blissarmymwr.com
Folklorico en la Plaza
Alfaro Cultural Arts Association will bring Mexican folklorico dance to San Jacinto Plaza with a free performance by Ballet Folklórico Alfaro. The family-friendly event celebrates Mexican culture and heritage through traditional music, colorful costumes and dance, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
- When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13
- Where: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: Alfaro Cultural Arts Association on Instagram
Art and Wellness Family Day
The El Paso Museum of Art will host a free Art and Wellness Family Day focused on grief, remembrance and community healing. Families and visitors can create personalized memory boxes honoring loved ones while exploring art in a welcoming, drop-in setting. Activities are available while supplies last.
- When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15
- Where: El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: El Paso Museum of Art Instagram
Tour de Tolerance
The El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center’s 21st annual Tour de Tolerance will bring cyclists, runners and walkers together to raise funds for the museum’s educational programs promoting inclusion and combating hatred. Participants can choose from a 50K bike ride, 40K gravel race, 5K run/walk, 1-mile family walk or 1-mile dog walk, with competitive races and awards for top finishers.
- When: 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16
- Where: 100 Airport Road, Santa Teresa
- Cost: $35-$55
- Information: elpasoholocaustmuseum.org
Coming Up
Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District
Downtown El Paso museums, cultural institutions and community organizations will stay open later as part of Third Thursdays, a monthly event designed to encourage visitors to explore the Downtown Arts District. Activities vary by location and may include special programming, an artisan market, local vendors, live music, food and community organization booths.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20
- Where: Downtown Arts District, centered around One Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
Arts District Culture and Commerce Panel Discussion
Progress321 and the El Paso Museum of Art will host a panel discussion exploring the economic impact of the region’s arts and cultural institutions. The conversation will examine how museums, creative organizations and cultural programming contribute to community growth, with leaders from the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the Museum and Cultural Affairs Department and La Nube participating.
- When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20
- Where: El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: progress321.org
El Fresco: All Stars — Country Spotlight
The city of El Paso’s free El Fresco Music Series concludes its summer season with a “Country Spotlight” showcase featuring local performers at Convention Center Plaza. The final installment of the El Paso All Stars series invites attendees to enjoy an evening of live music celebrating country favorites.
- When: Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21
- Where: Convention Center Plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: El Paso Live Instagram
Movies at the Park: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’
The city of El Paso’s Movies at the Park series continues with a free outdoor screening of “How to Train Your Dragon.” The family-friendly movie series, now in its second season, is bringing films to parks across El Paso throughout the summer and will continue through Sept. 4. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.
- When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21
- Where: Washington Park, 200 Washington St.
- Cost: Free
- Information: elpasotexas.gov
Eric Santoscoy-McKillip: ‘composites-my eyes tear in the sun’
The El Paso Museum of Art will open a new exhibition featuring artist Eric Santoscoy-McKillip’s exploration of space, memory and place through a body of work rooted in the U.S.-Mexico region. The exhibition, “composites-my eyes tear in the sun,” blends abstraction, vernacular design traditions and celestial imagery to examine identity, history and connections between culture and landscape.
- When: Opens Saturday, Aug. 22; on view through Feb. 21, 2027
- Where: El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: 915-212-0300 or epma.art
‘El Tormento de Pablo’ in San Elizario
Los Portales Museum will present the free outdoor theatrical production “El Tormento de Pablo,” a retelling of the la llorona legend from the husband’s perspective that blends Mexican and Aztec traditions through music, dance and storytelling. The family-friendly evening also includes a mercadito, Aztec dance ceremony and a catrina parade, with attendees encouraged to wear traditional Mexican attire and bring lawn chairs or blankets.
- When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 (play begins at 7 p.m.)
- Where: Los Portales Museum, 1521 San Elizario Road, San Elizario
- Cost: Free
- Information: losportalesmuseum.org
Mark Your Calendar
Texas Western Gold Rush
UTEP will kick off the fall semester with its sixth annual Texas Western Gold Rush, an evening celebrating Miner pride with live music, student performances, giveaways and fireworks. The campus tradition welcomes new and returning students with entertainment and opportunities to connect before the academic year begins.
- When: 6-11 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24
- Where: Centennial Plaza, 500 W. University Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: utep.edu
Home and Garden Show
The El Paso Home and Garden Show will bring home improvement professionals, remodeling ideas and product demonstrations to the El Paso Convention Center. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring home renovation, landscaping and design while gathering inspiration and advice for future projects.
- When: 2-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 (free admission all weekend)
- Where: El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: showtechnology.com
UTEP volleyball vs. New Mexico State
The University of Texas at El Paso volleyball team opens its 2026 home volleyball schedule against rival New Mexico State after a 25-5 season that ended with an NCAA tournament appearance. The Miners finished No. 19 in the NCAA RPI rankings last season and posted an 11-1 Conference USA record. Fans are encouraged to wear white for the “White Out” matchup.
- When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30
- Where: Memorial Gym, 101 W. Robinson Ave.
- Cost: Ticket information pending
- Information: utepminers.com
Karol G: Tropicoqueta Tour
Colombian singer Karol G will bring her Tropicoqueta Tour to El Paso following her recent Coachella performance, with a stadium show scheduled at Sun Bowl Stadium. The stop is part of a global tour that includes major U.S. and international venues. Becky G will be the guest performer at both El Paso shows.
- When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6
- Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive
- Cost: Tickets start $144
- Information: shopkarolg.com
Fall 2026 Rubin Center Exhibitions Opening Reception
The Rubin Center for the Visual Arts will celebrate the opening of its fall exhibitions, “Costuras Territoriales” and “AMBOS,” which explore the U.S.-Mexico border region through textiles, material practices and the histories and lived experiences that shape the region. The reception will bring together artists and community members for an evening featuring music and appetizers.
- When: 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10
- Where: Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, Seamon Hall, 720 Dawson Road
- Cost: Free
- Information: utep.edu
Encores and Overtures Gala 2026
El Paso Opera will host its annual Encores and Overtures Gala, an evening of fine dining, live performances and fundraising to support the organization’s artistic and educational programs. The event includes a cocktail hour with a silent auction, a three-course dinner, presentation of the Maestro Award and a casino-themed after-party with dancing.
- When: Friday, Sept. 11
- Where: The Elmont Event Center, 240 W. Castellano Drive
- Cost: Starting at $206
- Information: epopera.org
‘Mágico – The Magic of Mexico’
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026-27 Classical Series with “Mágico – The Magic of Mexico,” a multimedia concert celebrating Mexico’s landscapes, culture and traditions through orchestral music and photography. The program features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, José Pablo Moncayo, Arturo Márquez and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, accompanied by imagery from photographer and multimedia artist Nicholas Bardonnay.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19 (Opening Notes lecture at 6:30 p.m.)
- Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 Pioneer Plaza
- Cost: $17-$49
- Information: epso.org
El Paso Matters 9.15K
The El Paso Matters 9.15K will return this fall, bringing runners and walkers together for a community-focused race through Downtown El Paso. The event includes a 9.15K run and a 1-mile family walk, with proceeds supporting local journalism and a post-race celebration with awards.
- When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 (line-up begins 7 a.m.)
- Where: Cleveland Square Park, 510 N. Santa Fe St.
- Cost: $45 through Aug. 31
- Information: elpasomatters.org/run
Way Out West Festival featuring Cole Swindell
Way Out West Fest returns to Downtown El Paso with a full day of country music, food and regional competitions celebrating Borderplex culture. The festival features headliner Cole Swindell, along with the Chili Challenge, Quest for the Best Margarita Contest and other attractions highlighting the flavors and traditions of the region.
- When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26
- Where: El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Tickets start at $55.30
- Information: epwayoutwest.com
Usher and Chris Brown
R&B artists Usher and Chris Brown are scheduled to bring their co-headlining tour to El Paso later this year with a performance at Sun Bowl Stadium. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
- When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
- Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive
- Cost: $133-$631
- Information: ticketmaster.com
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
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
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
The post San Jacinto market returns as Harry Potter festival brings magic to Fort Bliss appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More