Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the Borderland in the coming week.
Magoffin Home Hard Hat Tours
Visitors can go behind the scenes at the historic Magoffin Home during special hard hat tours showcasing the ongoing adobe restoration project. Space is limited, advance reservations are required, and participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants while hard hats are provided.
- When: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8. Other events scheduled July 11 and 15.
- Where: Magoffin Home State Historic Site, 1120 Magoffin Ave.
- Cost: $7 adults; $6 seniors; $4 students
- Information: thc.texas.gov
Sangre Gitana at Cool Canyon Nights
WestStar’s Cool Canyon Nights concert series continues at the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre with free weekly performances throughout the summer featuring local and regional acts. The family-friendly series begins with patio entertainment before the evening’s headlining performance under the stars.
- When: Patio entertainment at 6 p.m.; Sangre Gitana at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9
- Where: McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, McKelligon Canyon Road
- Cost: Free
- Information: Cool Canyon Nights Instagram
Movies at the Park: ‘Encanto’
The city of El Paso’s free Movies at the Park series continues through September with outdoor screenings at parks across the city. Presented by the Parks and Recreation Department, the series encourages families to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for movie nights under the stars.
- When: 8 p.m. Friday, July 10
- Where: Sgt. Jesus Roberto Vasquez Park, 510 N. Santa Fe St.
- Cost: Free
- Information: elpasotexas.gov
Parks After Sunset: ‘Elio’
El Paso County’s free “Parks After Sunset” series will bring movies, splash pad activities and pet services to county parks through July 17. Families are encouraged to bring swimsuits, towels, blankets and lawn chairs for the summer events, which also include free pet microchipping offered on a first-come, first-served basis through the County Animal Welfare Department.
- When: Splash activities at 5:30 p.m., pet microchipping at 6 p.m. and movie at approximately 8 p.m. Friday, July 10
- Where: Summer Sky Park, 13876 Garforth Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: epcounty.com
EPCC’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’
El Paso Community College Theatre will present William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” with a Borderland-inspired adaptation set in the late 1800s and influenced by the history of El Paso, Ciudad Juárez and the Southwest. Admission is one non-perishable food item per person, with donations benefiting EPCC’s Tejano Mercado food pantry. Performances run July 10-19 and feature a cast largely made up of EPCC students.
- When: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, July 10-19
- Where: Forum Theatre, EPCC Transmountain Campus, 9570 Gateway North Blvd.
- Cost: One non-perishable food item per person
- Information: epcc.edu/Academics/Theater
Salsa Tasting Fest
San Elizario will celebrate local flavors and culinary traditions with the Salsa Tasting Fest, held in conjunction with the opening of the new exhibition, From Stone to Table: Molcajete and Metate. The free community event will feature live music by Rodriga Rockmore and invite attendees to sample a variety of salsas and vote for favorites in categories including Best Salsa and Spiciest Salsa.
- When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 11
- Where: Los Portales Museum and Information Center, 1521 San Elizario Road, San Elizario
- Cost: Free
- Information: losportalesmuseum.org
‘Viva! El Paso’
The outdoor theatrical production “Viva! El Paso” continues at McKelligon Canyon for its 2026 season, continuing a long-running summer tradition that traces more than 400 years of regional history through music, dance and performance. Created by Hector Serrano and now directed by Jaime Carrasco, the show features local performers and celebrates cultural influences from Spain, Mexico and the United States.
- When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 2
- Where: McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, McKelligon Canyon Road
- Cost: $32.50
- Information: ticketmaster.com
MOB Back-to-School Event
Moms on Board will host a free back-to-school event at Bassett Place featuring backpacks, school supplies and family resources to help students prepare for the upcoming school year. The event will also offer free sports physicals, haircuts, a school uniform swap, vaccines, vendor booths and family-friendly activities.
- When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 11
- Where: Bassett Place, 6101 Gateway Blvd. West
- Cost: Free
- Information: mobep.org
El Paso Police Department Community Fest
The El Paso Police Department will host a free Community Fest featuring backpack and school supply giveaways, family activities and opportunities to connect with local officers and community organizations. The event also includes immunizations, food trucks, music, entertainment and community resource booths.
- When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 11
- Where: Ralph T. Cloud Park, 7975 Willamette Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: joineppd.org
Coming Up
Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District
The Downtown Arts District will once again host its monthly Third Thursdays celebration, with museums, cultural institutions and community organizations offering extended hours, special programming and activities. The free event also features an artisan market, live music, food vendors and community booths throughout the district.
- When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 16
- Where: Downtown Arts District, One Civic Center Plaza and participating locations throughout Downtown El Paso
- Cost: Free
- Information: epmcad.org
Party on the Plaza: Country Night
Part of the city’s Party on the Plaza concert series, this free outdoor music series brings themed performances to Downtown El Paso on the third Thursday of each month from May through October. Each evening features a DJ set followed by a headlining performance at San Jacinto Plaza, with genres rotating throughout the season.
- When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 16
- Where: San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave.
- Cost: Free
- Information: events.elpasotexas.gov
El Fresco: All Stars — Noche de Cumbias
Part of the city’s El Fresco Music Series, this free outdoor concert will bring the sounds of cumbia to Convention Center Plaza as part of the 2026 “El Fresco All Stars” lineup celebrating local performers. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy food vendors, drinks and artisan booths.
- When: 6 p.m. Friday, July 17
- Where: Convention Center Plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza
- Cost: Free
- Information: elpasolive.com
Remapping the Chamizal with Dr. Alana de Hinojosa
Keystone Heritage Park will host a presentation by historian Alana de Hinojosa exploring the history and lasting impact of the Chamizal Dispute, the decadeslong border conflict that reshaped El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. The program will examine how the shifting Rio Grande altered the international boundary and displaced local families.
- When: 7 p.m. Friday, July 17
- Where: Keystone Heritage Park, 4200 Doniphan Drive
- Cost: Free for Keystone Heritage Park members; $5 for nonmembers
- Information: keystoneheritagepark.com
Insect Night
The El Paso Museum of Archaeology will host its annual Insect Night this summer, inviting visitors to explore nocturnal insects and desert wildlife through hands-on activities and guided experiences. The free event will include night hikes, moth observation and opportunities to learn about insects in an outdoor setting.
- When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, July 18
- Where: El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Transmountain Drive
- Cost: Free
- Information: events.elpasotexas.gov
Mark Your Calendar
Cypress Hill at Speaking Rock
Hip-hop group Cypress Hill will bring its “Once Upon a Time in the Summer” tour to Speaking Rock Entertainment Center for a free outdoor concert. The Los Angeles group, known for its blend of rap and Latin influences and albums including “Black Sunday,” will perform as part of an age 21-and-older event.
- When: Doors open at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26
- Where: Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, 122 S. Old Pueblo Road
- Cost: Free
- Information: speakingrock.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: Tickets start $144
- 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
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
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