Traveling to El Paso for the first time or for the umpteenth time is always exciting! The famous American city is located on the western part of the state and is popular with tourists all year round. Even so, the best time to visit the city is during the end of year holidays, as it plays hosts to several events that bring out its rich cultural attractions. If you’re planning a trip to El Paso over the holiday season, here are some events that you can attend alone or with friends.
Posadas
Posadas is a popular event in El Paso that takes place the week before Christmas and lasts nine days. The event is comprised of traditional rituals whereby attendees eat different types of food, including tamales and piñatas. People at the event also get to socialize as they experience the best posadas with friends and other members of the community. Most times, the public gathering is held in different parts of the city.
Winterfest
The Winterfest in El Paso is one of the popular traditional events in the city. Since its inception, it has always been held in November and extends to January of the next year, with different festivities that run within the day. It’s also an excellent event for anyone that loves lights, food, or is looking to do some shopping for the holiday season. Some of its most enjoyable highlights are the inclusion of an ice skating rink in the outdoors and a parade that goes through various parts of the city. Parking is available at a standard fee making it easier for those with vehicles to attend without worrying about the safety of their car.
Luminarias
The Luminaria Festival is an annual event that is popular with the residents of El Paso and attracts visitors from all over the US. The event takes place every December, welcoming in the Christmas season and is held at the Keystone Heritage Park. During the event, thousands of Luminarias will line the pathways of the garden as well as the lake, making the entire area glow. Besides the lighting up of the Luminarias by attendees, there are other festivities – the most popular one being the bike giveaway!
Mass of the Rooster
The people of El Paso are mostly Catholics and regularly celebrate mass in various local churches. However, during the holidays, a special mass known as Mass of the Rooster is held at midnight during Christmas Eve. The announcement of Misa Del Gallo, another name of the special event, is done by the ringing of bells which signals its beginning. The traditional mass brings together churches within the city allowing tourists to enjoy delightful traditions at their church of choice.
Overall, spending your end of year holidays in El Paso will be significantly enriched by attending any of these events and experiencing the city with all its beauty, tradition, and culture.
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