Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
Cool Canyon Nights
WestStar’s Cool Canyon Nights returns to McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre for a summer concert series featuring local and regional acts across genres, from mariachi and tribute performances to rock and jazz. The weekly outdoor concerts offer a family-friendly setting with rotating openers and headliners throughout the season. Mariachi Los Arrieros will open the 2026 season May 14.
- When: 7 p.m. Thursdays, May 14-July 30 (doors open at 6 p.m. with music on the patio; main show at 7 p.m. in the amphitheatre)
- Where: McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, McKelligon Canyon Road
- Cost: Free. VIP seating starts at $30 and includes reserved seating, hors d’oeuvres and a beverage.
- Information: Cool Canyon Nights Instagram
Armed Forces Day Parade
A community parade honoring U.S. service members will take place at Fort Bliss, followed by an afternoon of family-friendly activities, including military demonstrations, equipment displays and games.
- When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 16
- Where: Bliss Smith Field, 220 Sheridan Road, Fort Bliss
- Cost: Free
- Information: 915-588-8247
El Paso Zoo Bug Fest
The El Paso Zoo’s annual Bug Fest will feature interactive exhibits focused on insects and arachnids, including spiders, scorpions, crickets and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Visitors can explore themed bug rooms, learn about the role insects play in ecosystems and take part in activities such as edible bug tastings.
- When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17
- Where: El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano Drive
- Cost: $8.95-$13.95
- Information: elpasozoo.org
RAZI Projects: Rachelle Thiewes and Suzi Davidoff
An evening at the El Paso Museum of Art will feature artists Rachelle Thiewes and Suzi Davidoff as part of the RAZI Projects series. The program includes a moderated artist talk led by Senior Curator Michael Reyes followed by a reception with refreshments and a pop-up presentation.
- When: 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 14
- Where: El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: El Paso Museum of Art Instagram
Banana Ball Exhibition Games
Banana Ball — a fast-paced baseball format known for its entertainment-focused rules and fan interaction — will bring two exhibition games to El Paso as the Texas Tailgaters face the Firefighters at Southwest University Park.
- When: 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 15-16
- Where: Southwest University Park, 1 Ballpark Plaza
- Cost: Games sold out.
- Information: bananaball.com
Jewel Box Series: “An Anansi Experience”
The El Paso Community Foundation’s Jewel Box Series continues with “An Anansi Experience,” a production by Kessto Kreatures that highlights community-based performance in the intimate Philanthropy Theatre at the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre.
- When: 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 17
- Where: Philanthropy Theatre, Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: $18.20
- Information: epcf.org/jewelboxseries
Coming Up
Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District
A monthly initiative invites residents and visitors to explore the Downtown Arts District with extended hours, special programming and activities across participating cultural institutions. The event often includes an artisan market, live music, food vendors and community organization booths.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, May 21
- Where: Downtown Arts District, including 1 Civic Center Plaza and surrounding locations
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
The Market Under the Stars
The Market Under the Stars will bring local artisans, cottage food vendors and community organizations to the Downtown Arts District for an evening market at Arts Festival Plaza. The event is part of the city’s Third Thursdays series and includes free art activities at the El Paso Museum of Art, live entertainment and handmade goods from regional vendors.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, May 21
- Where: Arts Festival Plaza, 109 W. San Francisco Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
Party on the Plaza: Salsa Night
The Party on the Plaza concert series will return to Downtown El Paso beginning May 21 with a Salsa Night performance featuring Team Havana and DJ Ritmo Limon at San Jacinto Plaza. The free monthly outdoor music series, presented by GECU Federal Credit Union, will continue on the third Thursday of each month through October, showcasing different musical genres throughout the season.
- When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 21
- Where: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
MVPW 03: Han v. Holm 2 and Serrano v. Hanson
Most Valuable Promotions will bring an all-women’s championship boxing card to the El Paso County Coliseum, headlined by a rematch between El Paso native and World Boxing Association lightweight champion Stephanie Han against former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm. The event also features Amanda Serrano defending her unified featherweight titles, along with multiple additional title bouts on the card.
- When: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30
- Where: El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Drive
- Cost: Starting at $45.35
- Information: epcountycoliseum.com
Mark Your Calendar
We Hike Memorial Day Hike
We Hike will host a Memorial Day morning community hike at McKelligon Canyon, welcoming walkers, runners and hikers of all experience levels. The family- and pet-friendly event encourages participants to move at their own pace along the canyon road, with distances ranging from one to five miles.
- When: 7:15-10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25
- Where: McKelligon Canyon Road, 1500 McKelligon Canyon Road
- Cost: Free
- Information: wehikeadventure.org
‘El Noa Noa: A Memory of Queer Spaces in Chihuahua, México’
The El Paso Museum of History will present a Pride Month pop-up photography exhibition exploring the history of El Noa Noa, a well-known gathering place in Ciudad Juárez that became a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ communities in the borderland. The exhibition features photographs by Don Ward from the private collection of David Wilton and examines the cultural legacy tied to the venue and singer Juan Gabriel.
- When: June 6-Aug. 2 (museum hours vary by day)
- Where: El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St.
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmuseumofhistory.org
Beauty and the Beast
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will return to the stage as part of a new North American tour, bringing the classic musical to the Plaza Theatre as part of the Broadway in El Paso series. The production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, with performances scheduled across multiple dates.
- When: June 10-14 (various showtimes)
- Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: $49.75-$158.60
- Information: broadwayinelpaso.com
Viva La Lucha 5K
The third annual Viva La Lucha 5K will bring a lucha libre–themed race to Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, combining a community run with a festive atmosphere inspired by wrestling culture. The event is open to runners and walkers of all experience levels.
- When: 7 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 13
- Where: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, 1200 Futurity Drive
- Cost: $15-$65
- Information: eventbrite.com
El Fresco: All Stars — Latina Legends
Part of the city’s El Fresco Music Series, this outdoor concert will highlight local talent with a “Latina Legends” theme at Convention Center Plaza. The free, all-ages event is one of several performances scheduled throughout the summer.
- When: 6 p.m. Friday, June 19
- Where: Convention Center Plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: elpasolive.com
La Fe Father’s Day 5K Run and Walk
Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe will host its 29th annual Father’s Day 5K community run and walk through Segundo Barrio, with proceeds supporting the La Fe Culture and Technology Center’s cultural, educational and community programs. The 3.1-mile event is open to runners and walkers of all ages.
- When: 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, June 20
- Where: La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St. (rear building)
- Cost: $25 early registration; $30 late registration
- Information: Centro de Salud Familar La Fe Instagram
Pop Goes the Fort
Fort Bliss will host Pop Goes the Fort at Biggs Park as part of America’s 250th celebration, featuring free live entertainment from the 1st Armored Division Band and additional performers to be announced. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic supplies for the family-friendly event.
- When: 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27
- Where: Biggs Park, 11388 Sergeant Major Blvd., Fort Bliss
- Cost: Free
- Information: bliss.armymwr.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.
- When: Sunday, Sept. 6
- Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive
- Cost: Presale begins April 27
- Information: shopkarolg.com
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: $40 through June 30
- Information: elpasomatters.org/run
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