16. First Thanksgiving Celebration
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 851-1682
Description: Nearly 30 years before the first pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock, Spanish explorers were celebrating the “first Thanksgiving” along the shores of the Rio Grande at what is now El Paso. “La Toma,” as the event has come to be known, is regarded as one of the most significant historical events in the hemisphere and the first of its kind in America. Organized by the Mission Trail Association, “La Toma” is a reenactment of the first Thanksgiving at the Chamizal National Memorial held the last Sun of Apr.
17. Florafest
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 747-8994, (915) 747-5565
Description: If you enjoy plants or want to green up your thumb, you should definitely check out Florafest. Held at the University of Texas El Paso’s Centennial Museum, Florafest is an annual native plant event. Listen in on one of the lectures about flora native to the El Paso region in the area’s gardens, or purchase a few local seedlings to bring up in your own backyard.
18. Armed Forces Day
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 568-4601
Description: Established in 1949 by the Secretary of Defense, this day allows Fort Bliss to showcase itself to the public. Fort Bliss activities include a 5K fun run, opening ceremonies honoring the armed services, a demonstration by the Military Police Working Dogs, all-day entertainment, and a health fair. Military equipment is put on static display for visitors to marvel at, and there are opportunities to try your hand at rappelling. Take a historical tour of Fort Bliss, taste test the best of El Paso spice in a chili cook-off, and generally enjoy the food and drink and various other displays from numerous organizations.
19. Klaq International Balloonfest
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 886-2222
Address: 6702 Westside Dr.
Description: Hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes fill up the El Paso sky over Memorial Day weekend each year, as some 5,000 to 8,000 people come out to watch the early-morning launching of more than 75 colorful hot air balloons and get the opportunity to enjoy water rides and live concerts at Wet ‘N’ Wild Waterworld in nearby Anthony, Texas. In previous years, the event, which is sponsored by local radio station KLAQ, was held entirely at Wet ‘N’ Wild Waterworld, but a new launch site was recently opened at Grace Gardens in El Paso. Balloon pilots travel from around the world to fly at Balloonfest, making it a truly international event.
20. Victorian Spring Tea
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 533-5147
Address: 1120 Magoffin Ave.
Description: Enjoy a traditional Victorian tea each May on the grounds of this 1875 Territorial style home, which features a center courtyard and peaceful landscape. The Magoffin family played an important role in El Paso’s history and participated in the early U.S. settlement and expansion along the Santa Fe–Chihuahua Trail. In addition to enjoying delicious English tea, you can explore the home’s authentic Victorian art and furnishings, which reflect the daily lives of this prominent El Paso family.
21. Alfresco! Fridays
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 541-4481
Description: Alfresco! Fridays is an arts and culture festival held in downtown El Paso every June. The festival was originally envisioned as a way to entice downtown workers to stick around and liven the area up a bit in the evenings. Most of the programs are musical in nature, offering a casual way to experience both well-established and up-and-coming El Paso bands performing on stage. Past seasons have featured bands from a variety of genres, like big band, jazz, reggae, classic rock, ska, blues, and more; while the recent seasons have also featured an Artist Market. This unique concept market helps to provide local artists and artisans a way to connect directly with the community.
22. La Que Buena Gordita Festival
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 544-9797
Address: 6900 Delta Dr.
Description: This festival celebrates Mexican food, namely gorditas, which are a traditional Mexican dish in which various types of fillings are stuffed into a small, thick corn tortilla, creating a delightful sandwich. If you’re interested in authentic Mexican food, beverages, and arts and crafts, this festival is a great way to sample some traditional fare and pick up a few home accents. The kids will be entertained in a children’s zone with carnival rides, while you enjoy live entertainment that includes both national and local performers of Mexican and Tejano varieties.
23. Viva! El Paso
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 231-1165
Address: 3 McKelligon Canyon Rd.
Description: Viva! El Paso is a wonderfully colorful outdoor musical presented at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre during the summer months. The play chronicles the story of El Paso’s history, with particular emphasis on the centuries of struggles that early settlers and Native Americans faced here. The play is renowned for its brightly colored costumes, spectacular sets, and dazzling special effects, and offers a delightful way to not only learn, but vividly experience some local El Paso history.
24. Music Under The Stars
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 532-7273
Address: 800 S. San Marcial St.
Description: El Paso’s favorite concert series, Music Under the Stars is exactly what it sounds like: a charming evening concert series held outdoors under the stars. Music Under the Stars presents everything from jazz, blues, and Latin tunes to garage band rock and zydeco performances on stage in the scenic Chamizal National Memorial Amphitheatre just minutes from the Mexican border. Hosted by the El Paso Arts and Culture Department, listings for the Music Under the Stars festival change from year to year, with surprising and wonderful new musical stylings with each go round.
25. El Paso Sun City Pride Parade & Street Festival
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 474-3403
Description: El Paso’s LGBT communities get their pride on during this, the city’s annual Gay Pride event. The parade, held in honor of National Gay Pride Month, starts at the corner of Montana Avenue and St. Vrain Street, and concludes at Pride Square (East Missouri and North Stanton) for the Gay Pride Street Festival, where you can expect to bar hop the night away alongside exuberant Pride-goers and attendees.
26. Downtown Street Festival
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 544-8864
Description: A non-stop party throughout the downtown area, this street festival is a fantastic way to spend the 4th of July weekend in El Paso. Three different outdoor stages host rock, Latin, and kids’ music, and vendors line the streets selling delicious treats, refreshments, ice cream, and beer. For kids, the best part of the street festival can be found inside the El Paso Convention Center where a variety of fun rides, games, and live entertainment take place.
27. Ysleta Mission Festival
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 859-9848
Address: 131 South Zaragoza St. (at Alameda Ave.)
Description: El Paso’s culture, history, and traditions come alive through live music, food, games, and entertainment over the festival weekend. Adults and children of all ages gather on Ysleta Mission, one of El Paso’s historic Catholic missions, for continuous entertainment by top local Tejano bands that showcase current emerging talent in West Texas. This festival is a great time to come to a better understanding of the unique El Paso music scene and the enjoyable local Tejano genre.
28. Soldier Show
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 568-7506
Address: 125 Pioneer Plaza
Description: Every year, this variety show is performed by soldiers, for other soldiers as well as the wider El Paso and Fort Bliss communities. During this live music review, you’ll take in the talents of active duty soldiers selected by audition from throughout the Army. This unique Fort Bliss event is a rare opportunity to support the troops through the stylings of amateur artists with a passion for music, dance, and performing.
29. Bat Flight Breakfast
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (575) 785-2232
Description: Carlsbad Caverns in nearby Carlsbad, New Mexico, is home to one of the largest domestic bat colonies in the United States. At this annual breakfast, you will get the rare chance to watch these remarkable nocturnal animals as they dive into the cave entrance after a night outside feeding on insects. Park rangers also present programs about the bats’ return flight in the early light of dawn, a sight that is very different from their out-flight in the evening. Admission to watch the bats is free, but seats for the breakfast must be reserved in advance and costs vary.
30. Bugfest!
City: El Paso, TX
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (915) 532-8156
Address: 4001 East Paisano Dr.
Description: Get ready for all things creepy crawly, as the young and the young-at-heart are sure to enjoy this bug-tastic event at El Paso Zoo. An annual “back to school” weekend expo, the event offers kids and adults alike the chance to get up close with all sorts of amazing insects, and there are plenty of games and activities for the whole family on offer to keep you amazed.