Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
Library-Con: Borderland Heroes
El Paso Public Libraries will host Library-Con: Borderland Heroes, a free, family-friendly comic convention from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Main Library, 501 N. Oregon. The event will feature exhibitors, an Artist Alley with local talent, panel discussions, workshops and gaming stations. A cosplay contest will highlight creative costumes, while vendors will offer collectibles, memorabilia and food. Leading up to the convention, branch libraries will host comic-themed events. On Friday, Sept. 19, the libraries will partner with Margin Notes Bookbar for Villains Take the Night, an adults-only evening at the bookstore, 7460 Cimarron Market Ave. Building 2, Suite 300, with live music, a market and a cosplay contest. Information: elpasolibrary.org
Fort Bliss Oktoberfest
Fort Bliss will host its annual Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, at Biggs Park, offering a celebration of German culture with traditional food, beer and music. Entertainment will include performances by Terry Cavanagh and The Alpine Express, as well as the German Air Force Schuhplattlers. Admission is $20 for ages 18 and older, with separate purchases available for limited-edition steins. A family-friendly day is also planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, with $5 admission and free entry for children 3 and younger. The event is open to the public, though non-Department of Defense ID card holders must obtain a community access pass in advance. Information: bliss.armymwr.com
Lincoln Park Day
Lincoln Park will come alive with art, music and tradition at the annual Lincoln Park Day on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 4001 Durazno St. The celebration, recognized as the region’s largest lowrider car show, brings together families and the community for a day of Chicano art, classic cars, live entertainment and local food. The event highlights El Paso’s cultural heritage while showcasing the creativity of lowrider owners and artists from across the area. Information: Lincoln Park Conservation Committee.
MEOWseum at La Nube
La Nube STEAM Discovery Center will host Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days on Saturday, Sept. 20, in partnership with DreamWorks Animation and the Association of Children’s Museums. The event, inspired by the popular preschool series, invites families to explore hands-on activities that celebrate imagination, problem-solving and teamwork. Children can enjoy storytimes, crafts, a scavenger hunt and a meet-and-greet with Gabby, while special themed items will be available at the gift shop. The event is included with admission to La Nube. Information: la-nube.org
Ranchera Night at Museum of History
The El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St., will host Ranchera Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, as part of its monthly Third Thursdays series. The free, family-friendly event celebrates 16 de septiembre and the museum’s current Escaramuzas exhibit with an evening of live ranchera music, dancing and mocktails. Attendees are invited to enjoy the festive atmosphere in Downtown El Paso centered around the Mexican independence celebration. Information: epmuseumofhistory.org
EPSO’s ‘Van Cliburn Gold’
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra opens its 2025-26 season with “Van Cliburn Gold,” a program featuring newly crowned 2025 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Aristo Sham. Under the direction of conductor Bohuslav Rattay, the concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 19-20, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. The program includes Mikhail Glinka’s “Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture,” Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto” in A minor and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4” in F minor. Audiences are also invited to “Opening Notes” with Nathan Black at 6:30 p.m. in the Philanthropy Theatre for insights into the evening’s works. Information and tickets: epso.org
Urban Adventure in Downtown El Paso
Take part in an evening of wellness and exploration during Urban Adventure with We Hike, scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in Downtown El Paso. The free event begins at the Visit El Paso Visitors Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, where participants can sign in at the We Hike table before setting out on a group-paced, two-hour walk through the city’s illuminated streets. The adventure offers an opportunity to celebrate health, community and the arts. No reservations are required; attendees are encouraged to bring water and join for as much of the walk as they’d like. Information: wehikeadventure.com
2025 Water Festival
The TecH₂O Learning Center, 10751 Montana Ave., hosts the 2025 Water Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The family-friendly event highlights the role of water in daily life with music, dance, art activities, chalk art and a rolling river demonstration. El Paso Water trucks will be on site, along with food trucks and interactive exhibits offering hands-on learning opportunities. Attendees can also take home free water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators while supplies last. Admission is free. Information: 915-621-2000 and tech2o.org
International Day of Peace Symposium
The University of Texas at El Paso will host the International Day of Peace Symposium on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, at the Tomás Rivera Conference Center inside Union Building East on campus. The free, two-day event will feature learning and action sessions exploring themes of democracy, non-violence, meditation, ethical consumption and community advocacy. Scheduled speakers include youth organizer Jesús Moreno, UTEP professor Kien Lim, scholar Aurolyn Luykx, and cultural historian David Romo. Attendees will also have the chance to view the documentary “Eating Our Way to Extinction” and participate in workshops that move from theory to practice, including sessions on solidarity networks and neighborhood-based initiatives. The symposium runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and is open to the public. Information: unitythroughcreativity.org
Cerveza Fest at the County Coliseum
Cerveza Fest and Battle of the Bands debuts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the El Paso County Coliseum pavilion, 4100 E. Paisano Drive. The event, which goes until 10 p.m., features a Battle of the Bands, craft-beer tastings, food trucks, a local makers market, live painting and an art lottery. Early-bird general admission is $10 for ages 18 and older ($15 at the gate); ages 17 and younger are free. A $25 VIP ticket includes VIP seating, a lanyard, a limited-edition signed art print and a beer ticket. VIP tables for six are $150 and include reserved seating, a charcuterie plate, VIP perks and six art prints. The event is family-friendly and leashed-dog friendly; IDs required for ages 18 and older. Information: epcountycoliseum.com
Coming Up
Kevin Smith at El Paso Film Festival
The El Paso Film Festival will kick off its eighth year with “An Evening with Kevin Smith” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W Mills Ave. Known for cult classics such as “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” Smith will take the stage for a live conversation featuring personal stories, audience Q&A and reflections on his decades in independent filmmaking. The festival, which runs Sept. 25-27 at various Downtown venues, will also screen 10 feature films and more than 60 short films, celebrating diverse voices and cross-cultural storytelling from the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond. Tickets and VIP passes are available at the Plaza Theatre box office and Ticketmaster. Information and tickets: elpasofilmfestival.org
Way Out West Fest
Country music fans will fill Downtown El Paso on Saturday, Sept. 27, for the return of the Way Out West Fest, a celebration of western heritage and live country entertainment. Headlined by chart-topping artist Dustin Lynch, the festival will feature food vendors, family-friendly activities and performances by Travis Denning, Don Louis and Nashville-based trio Just Jayne. Gates open at 5 p.m. at the El Paso Convention Center plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza. The event will offer a mix of national acts and local flavor, continuing its tradition of bringing together music lovers for a night of high-energy performances and cultural pride. Information: epwayoutwest.com
Harvest Wine Festival
La Viña Winery will host its annual Harvest Wine Festival from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28, in Anthony, New Mexico. Guests can sample more than 20 wines, browse art and craft vendors, and enjoy live music alongside Southwestern cuisine. General admission is $25 and includes a souvenir glass with either five tastings or one full glass of wine. Admission for ages 12-20 is $10, while children younger than 12 are free. A $100 VIP package for adults offers expanded tastings, craft beer, German food pairings, reserved seating, exclusive access and additional amenities. Pets and outside food or beverages are not permitted. Information: lavinawinery.com
Chile Pepper Challenge
The Chile Pepper Challenge: Charity Ride and 5K returns Sunday, Sept. 28, at Grace Gardens, 6709 Westside Drive, with a 7 a.m. start. Hosted by the El Paso Bicycle Club and the University Medical Center Foundation, the annual event raises funds for University Medical Center’s Cardiac Care Fund, which supports early screenings, advanced treatments and community education on heart disease and stroke. Cyclists will take on routes through the Mesilla Valley, while families can participate in the new 5K walk/run promoting healthy living at every age. Proceeds benefit local efforts to fight cardiovascular disease. Information: 915-203-3295 or umcfoundationelpaso.org
Mark Your Calendar
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
Chalk the Block
Downtown El Paso will once again transform into an open-air gallery as Chalk the Block returns Oct. 11-12 for its 18th anniversary. What began in 2008 as a small sidewalk chalk art competition has become one of the region’s largest public arts festivals, drawing more than 45,000 visitors each year. The weekend celebration will showcase more than 100 local and touring artists, offering interactive installations, live performances, chalk competitions, and art and food vendors throughout the Downtown Arts District. Festivalgoers can also explore hands-on activities and exhibits at cultural institutions including the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and the new Mexican American Cultural Center. Admission is free. Information: chalktheblock.com
MountainStar Sports Group Amigo Airsho
Tickets are now on sale for the Amigo Airsho, which celebrates the spirit of aviation and offers a salute to the nation’s armed forces. The show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19, at Biggs Army Airfield on Fort Bliss. Air performers this year include an F-16C Fighting Falcon Demo and the Patriots Jet Team. Ground entertainment includes motocross athletes from Dialed Action Sports, California Tom Cruise and Arizona Ice Man, plus the Fort Bliss band, kids zones, a STEAM exhibit and more. Attendees will be able to bring one sealed water bottle or an empty (non-glass) reusable bottle to refill at water stations throughout the event. Every attendee will also receive a complimentary water bottle at the entrance. General admission starts at $35, with free admission for kids age 12 and younger. Free parking. Information: Amigo Airsho
Border Folk Festival
The 10th annual El Paso Border Folk Festival Music Conference and Concert Series will showcase the sounds and traditions that define the border region, culminating in a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. The evening will feature Mariachi Los Camperos and Tesoro. In addition to performances, the multi-day conference offers workshops and networking opportunities for students from school and community music programs, highlighting mariachi as well as other genres to promote music education, technique and appreciation. Information and tickets: epborderfest.com
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