Hundreds of El Pasoans gathered in San Jacinto Plaza to ring in the new year at the Second Annual New Year’s Eve celebration, marking a major milestone for the city with the first-ever Star Drop at WinterFest.
The free, family-friendly event brought the community together for a night filled with music, dancing, and hometown pride. From the moment festivities began, the plaza buzzed with energy as attendees of all ages filled the space, counting down to midnight under the lights of downtown El Paso.
It was an honor to serve as the event’s MC for the second year in a row, welcoming the crowd and sharing in a celebration that continues to grow into a new El Paso tradition. The night’s soundtrack was provided by DJ G Cue and Sonora Scandalo, keeping the crowd dancing all the way up to the highly anticipated midnight moment.
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Meet The Team Who Created El Paso’s Iconic Star Drop
That moment arrived with the debut of the iconic Star Drop, created to reflect El Paso’s identity after community feedback made it clear that a traditional ball drop didn’t quite fit. Instead, the city unveiled a symbol that truly represents the borderland spirit.
The star was designed by Peter, owner of Pro-Tech System Solutions, a local company known for creating unforgettable audio, lighting, and visual experiences. The fabrication was led by Roman Marquez, who collaborated closely with Elias Zapata of Desert Metal Welding, the welder responsible for handcrafting the star’s frame from scratch. Additional contributions came from Black Knuckle Metals, which CNC-cut the back plate, and Ram Steel, which supplied the materials, all locally owned El Paso businesses.
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As the star descended at midnight, cheers filled the plaza, marking not just the start of a new year, but the beginning of a new El Paso tradition. One built by the community, for the community.
It was so beautiful to see our city come together to celebrate the new year together with a tradition I hope only gets bigger and bigger each year! Cheers to 2026!
PHOTOS: Inside El Paso’s First-Ever New Year’s Eve Star Drop
El Paso made history with its first Star Drop at San Jacinto Plaza, featuring live music, local DJs, and a celebration built by local businesses.
Gallery Credit: Courtesy; Iris Lopez, El Paso Winterfest, Christian Churches
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Gallery Credit: Iris Lopez