If you happen to be in El Paso this holiday season, you should attend some of the exciting festivities and events that will be taking place around the city. Whether you want to see Christmas light displays, shop for gifts, watch live shows, or enjoy fun-filled activities with your family and friends, you can easily find an event that suits your fancy. Check out these three popular holiday events in El Paso.
Winterfest Celebration of Lights
In El Paso, the Winterfest Celebration of Lights is the event that officially ushers in the holiday season. This year, it’ll kick off on Nov. 18 at San Jacinto Plaza with a full day of holiday-themed entertainment, including a fireworks display, the tree lighting ceremony, and the spectacular Celebration of Lights Parade that features numerous walking groups, floats, and vehicles.
During the course of the festival, which lasts until Jan. 6, there will be a lot of events, activities, and displays throughout the downtown area, such as an outdoor ice-skating rink, winter-themed cafe, life-size snow globe selfie station, and seasonal food and drinks. If you want to do some holiday shopping, head down to the Celebration of Lights Holiday Market, where you can buy a wide range of merchandise from 60 local vendors and enjoy live entertainment.
Performances at the Plaza Theatre
Between November and January every year, the iconic Plaza Theatre hosts a variety of live performances to celebrate the holiday season. While new shows will be available this year, you can expect to see a number of regular performances on the roster, such as the “Great Russian Nutcracker” by the internationally acclaimed Moscow Ballet and special productions from Dave Koz, El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and El Paso Choral Society.
Constructed in 1930, the Plaza Theatre is an attraction in itself, featuring Spanish mission-style architecture on the outside and grandiose rococo design on the inside. It looks opulent and glamorous with its posh carpeting, mosaic-tiled floors, intricately painted ceilings, wrought iron banisters, and antique furnishings. So, dress your best on your visit. The theater is located at the Pioneer Plaza on West Mills Avenue.
Sun Bowl
If you’re a football fan, you can make this holiday season more memorable by attending the nationally televised Sun Bowl game. Founded in 1934, the Sun Bowl is the second-oldest bowl game in the country, behind the Rose Bowl. This highly anticipated event features college football teams from the Pac-12 Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Besides watching exciting football action, you’ll also get the chance to see one of the most beautiful football stadiums in the country — the Sun Bowl stadium. While this year’s participating teams are still undecided, the game is scheduled to take place on Dec. 31. The Sun Bowl stadium is situated on Sun Bowl Drive.
Due to its diverse cultural influences, El Paso also has some holiday traditions and festivities that are not found in other parts of the country. You can expect to have a unique holiday experience while in El Paso.
Image via Visit El Paso | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
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