Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
El Paso WinterFest Concludes
WinterFest, the city of El Paso’s annual winter holiday event concludes Sunday, Jan. 5, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown. WinterFest features lights displays, ice-skating, music and entertainment, arts and food vendors and more at San Jacinto Plaza, the Arts Festival Plaza by the El Paso Museum of Art and the Convention Center Plaza.
As part of the closing day’s festivities, two films will be shown at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. The free holiday movies are shown by the El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival in partnership with El Paso Live and the El Paso Museum of Art. An organist will play 30 minutes before the show. The first film, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” will begin at 1 p.m. and will be followed by “Ice Age” at 3:30 p.m. Information: epwinterfest.com
Magic of Lights at Wet ’N Wild Waterworld
Families have their final opportunity to drive through holiday-themed illuminated displays and more than 2 million lights through Saturday, Jan. 4, at the parking lot of Wet ’N Wild Waterworld, 8804 S. Desert Blvd., in Anthony, Texas. Magic of Lights will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through Thursday, Jan. 2, and from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Tickets are $21 per vehicle in advance and $30-$35 per vehicle at the gate. Information: Magic of Lights.
Renard Johnson, El Paso’s mayor-elect, will be inaugurated on Jan. 6, 2025. (Corrie Boudreaux/El Paso Matters)
Mayor, City Reps Swearing-in Ceremony
Mayor-elect Renard Johnson and the six City Council members elected this fall will be formally sworn in during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
The city representatives being sworn in will be Josh Acevedo, reelected in District 2, and newly elected city Reps. Alejandra “Ale” Chavez in District 1, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha in District 3, Cynthia Boyar Trejo in District 4, Ivan Niño in District 5 and Lily Limón in District 7.
The first City Council meeting with Johnson as mayor will be Jan. 7.
Get Outdoors
Begin the new year with a first-day hike from noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, through the Franklin Mountains at Chuck Heinrich Park, 11055 Loma Del Norte Drive. This 4-6-mile guided trek will explore desert wildlife. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks and any necessary medications. The trail offers no shade. Admission is $5 per person or free with a Texas Park Pass. For more details, visit the Texas State Parks website. Information: wehikeadventure@gmail.com or 480-233-4965.
Join a family-friendly guided stroll through North Mountain at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1. The wheelchair-accessible tour begins at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, and is well-suited for families with strollers. Tour fees are waived with a $7 entrance permit for visitors ages 13 and older. Bring water, snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing, but leave pets at home for this event. Reservations are required. Information: HuecoTanksSP@tpwd.texas.gov and 915-857-1135.
Start your birdwatching journey with Birding 101, a beginner-friendly program taking place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at Franklin Mountains State Park. The event includes a short, 0.75-mile hike on the easy Nature Walk Trail, where participants can learn basic birding skills. Admission is $5 per person for ages 13 and older, but free for Texas State Park Pass holders and children ages 12 and younger. Bring water, snacks and sturdy shoes. Binoculars and cameras are optional. Meet at the Nature Walk Trailhead, 2900 Tom Mays Park Access Road. Information: Lydia.Pagel@tpwd.texas.gov or 915-444-9121.
The post El Paso events: WinterFest, hikes and holiday lights appeared first on El Paso Matters.
Read: Read More