El Paso Texas Festivals Guide — Find out what’s going on!
January 2024
El Paso Puzzler Endurance Weekend
Calling all masochists! Ever wanted to run a half or full marathon then get up the next day and compete in a bike race? If you go for the half marathon followed by a thirty-five-mile bike ride, you are Half Mad (the organizers made up these names). Those opting for the marathon and then the fifty-mile bike ride are Completely Insane. Anyone not needing meds is welcome to enter either a biking or a running event.
February 2024
Truck Pull
It only takes twelve people to form a truck pull team. Try dragging a 55,000lb fire truck during this fundraising event, which benefits the Special Olympics.
Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon
El Paso makes marathon running a smidge easier (although definitely not easy). This course features a 1584 foot drop in elevation, which might prove enough to qualify you for the Boston Marathon. Grab your sneakers and go!
March 2024
Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam
Head to UTEP Sun Bowl Stadium for a night of car-crushing destruction.
Hueco Rock Rodeo
Held in Hueco Tanks State Historic Site and Park, this is actually a rock climbing competition. Other highlights include rock art tours, mechanical bull rides and a raffle.
Siglo de Oro Drama Festival
Plays from Spain’s Golden Age (1580-1680) are performed in both Spanish and English. The festival focuses on three main types of drama: short religious allegories, one-act farces, and three-act dramas in verse. El Paso’s Siglo de Oro is the longest-running Spanish drama festival.
Sunland Derby
lace a few bets on this annual derby then hit the on-site casino to try to win over Lady Luck.
April 2024
Florafest
Centennial Museum and Gardens host this native plant sale every year.
Mighty Mujer Triathlon
Athletes competing in this all-female triathlon must swim 300 yards, cycle for 15km, and then run for 2 miles. The event is a fundraiser for the Center Against Family Violence.
May 2024
KLAQ International Balloonfest
This balloon festival has been running for twenty-five years and is accompanied by live music. It is held at the Santa Teresa Country Club.
June 2024
Viva! El Paso
This event tells the history of El Paso through a musical. The outdoor show takes place in the McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre and performances also run through July and August.
July 2024
El Paso Downtown Streetfest
Catch live performances by bands (some of which you’ve actually heard of) by day and firework displays by night.
El Maida Shrine Circus
Roll up, roll up. The Shrine Circus features performing elephants, clowns and high wire artists.
Ysleta Mission Festival
Held at the historic Ysleta Mission, this three-day festival is a celebration of the Southwest. Expect traditional dances, food, music, arts and crafts, cakewalks, and carnival rides.
August 2024
Plaza Classic Film Festival
This festival takes place at the Plaza Theatre – a historic venue that was built in 1930. Entirely run by volunteers, the event includes film talks, offerings from local indie filmmakers and, of course, classic movies.
September
Shakespeare on the Rocks Festival
Play performances run from September through October and include elements of music and dance, not to mention modernized scripts.
Fiesta de las Flores
Explore Hispanic and Latino art and culture at the Fiesta de las Flores. The celebration features live music, bands, dancing and a Huacha Tournament.
Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta
Head to Tom Mays Park to learn about the plants and animals that call the Chihuahua Desert home. Expect speakers, easy, guided hikes, and hayrides.
Eagle in the Sun Triathlon
Folk of all ages embarks upon a 400-yard swim, 20k bike race and 5k run.
Elephant Festival
The El Paso Zoo gets elephant fever during this two-day festival that emphasizes education and the preservation of elephant habitats in the wild. Thirty-minute tours are available for those wanting to check out the elephant enclosures and hide their food (it’s not mean, it’s an enrichment activity)! Otherwise, there’s a breakfast buffet (reservations and tickets are necessary), elephant demonstrations and a parade.
Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo
This rodeo has the honor of being the city’s longest-running sporting event. There are themed nights, a carnival and a parade.
Sun City Music Festival
This electronic music festival has three stages and attracts about 20,000 attendees for two nights of dancing in Ascarate Park.
October 2024
Chalk the block
Sidewalk art is elevated to a whole new level as attendees watch art take shape on the ground in front of them. The event also includes temporary art installations, food, live music, art vendors, and performances by aerialists. Added bonus: it’s free.
Amigo Airshow
This show has been running for more than thirty years and the acts don’t just focus on planes. There are also hang gliders, sail planes – oh yeah – and a fire breathing school bus that travels at more than 350 mph!
Boo at the Zoo
Trick or treat with your furry friends at the zoo. Animals get to chow down on pumpkins, while kids tuck into candy.
Concordia Walk Through History
If learning local history in a classroom seems too dull, try doing in a cemetery. Billed as El Paso’s answer to Boot Hill, the cemetery is the final resting place of gunslingers, Texas Rangers, Civil War soldiers, lawmen and pioneers. For one night each year, actors fill the cemetery, bringing its best-known residents back to life (in a non-zombie manner).
Flying Horse Half Marathon and 5k Run
The half marathon race has a slight twist: as it starts and finishes at the Sunland Park Race Track and Casino, the last mile follows the actual racetrack. Live video tracks this portion of the competition.
November 2024
A Taste of El Paso
Kiss FM sponsors this two-night culinary experience, which features offerings from more than fifteen restaurants, along with beer and wine pairings. There are also cooking demonstrations, live music and mixology classes.
December 2024
San Jacinto Plaza Tree Lighting
Head to San Jacinto Plaza for tree lighting and a holiday parade.