WinterFest Returns to Downtown El Paso
Downtown El Paso will glow once again as WinterFest returns to San Jacinto Plaza, launching a season of holiday celebrations across the city beginning Saturday, November 22. The festivities will continue through January, filling the plaza and nearby streets with lights, music, and community events.
Highlights of the Celebration
The city’s signature holiday event opens with the Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The illuminated parade is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors who will line a one-mile route near San Jacinto Plaza.
- More than 55 decorated floats and marching bands will participate.
- Community performers will join the parade alongside the “walking twinklers.”
- Pre-parade entertainment begins at 5 p.m., with the main procession starting at 6 p.m.
Organizers recommend that spectators arrive early to secure a prime viewing spot as the festival enters its busiest weekend.
More information is available at epwinterfest.com.
Third Thursdays in the Arts District
In conjunction with WinterFest, the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) will headline this month’s Third Thursdays celebration in the El Paso Arts District. The event showcases local art, culture, and performance.
Citlali Delgado’s Exhibition
The MACC will host the opening reception for “Unexpected Pedestrians”, the first solo exhibition by El Paso-born artist Citlali Delgado, from 3 to 6 p.m. The collection explores life in the border region through vivid paintings reflecting her experiences in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso.
“The show examines the tension between fantasy and lived experience,” organizers said, describing how Delgado’s work captures the nuances of borderland identity.
Community Connection
WinterFest and Third Thursdays together celebrate El Paso’s creative spirit and sense of community, offering residents and visitors a chance to share in the city’s cultural heartbeat during the festive season.
Author’s summary
WinterFest and Third Thursdays transform Downtown El Paso into a vibrant holiday and cultural hub, blending local art, light displays, and community celebration across the season.