Get into the holiday spirit at the El Paso WinterFest, transforming the city of El Paso into a winter wonderland, November 20, 2021 – January 2, 2022. Downtown Arts Festival Plaza and the surrounding areas come to life with lights, food, holiday shopping, festivities and an outdoor ice-skating rink. This is the sixth year for this annual winter celebration, boasting events throughout the entire month, including special celebrations from every City of El Paso department. Prepare to be winterized!
The festival kicks off with one of El Paso’s most celebrated holiday traditions, the Celebration of Lights at San Jacinto Plaza, Saturday, November 20, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The plaza will twinkle with thousands of lights and Christmas decorations to dazzle the more than 50,000 expected spectators. Scheduled to perform that day are the First Armored Division Band at 4:30 p.m., St. Anthony Franciscan Choir at 5 p.m. and the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m., followed closely by the spectacular nighttime parade, featuring floats, vehicles, and walking groups all tricked out in colorful lights.
Another huge WinterFest attraction is the Ice-Skating Rink open every day with 50-minute skating sessions during the month-long festival. The rink opens at 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 12 p.m. on weekends. Check the schedule for closing times. Fun for all ages, and when you’re finished skating, head on over to the Texas Gas Warming tent, sip on some hot chocolate and cozy up under the heaters to take the chill off your bones. Then consider some of the many other events taking place throughout the area.
Highlights of the season include holiday fiestas, live music and entertainment for the entire family, at San Jacinto Plaza, Friday – Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m; Holiday themed workshops at the El Paso Museum of Art, every Saturday; Pictures with Santa at the El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12; Meet the Grinch Storytimes presented by the El Paso Public Libraries; Free holiday movies at the Plaza Theatre; and so much more! For a full schedule of events that are free and open to the public, visit the Winterfest website.
“City staff has worked hard planning for exciting, in-person programming for the WinterFest season,” said Tracey Jerome, Deputy City Manager for Quality of Life and Communications. “With the help of our community and downtown partners, WinterFest will be an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
Other major events to consider during this time are The Nutcracker, at UTEP Magoffin Auditorium, Saturday & Sunday, December 4 – 5; Drag Queen Christmas, at the Plaza Theatre, Thursday, December 9; Dave Koz and Friends, at the Plaza Theatre, Tuesday, December 14; the Merry-Achi Christmas, at the Plaza Theatre, Sunday, December 19; and of course, the Sun Bowl Parade, along Montana Avenue, Thanksgiving Day and the Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium, Friday, December 31.
Posted by LasCruces.com
