Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.
MountainStar Sports Group Amigo Airsho
Tickets are now on sale for the Amigo Airsho, which celebrates the spirit of aviation and offers a salute to the nation’s armed forces. The show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19, at Biggs Army Airfield on Fort Bliss. Air performers this year include an F-16C Fighting Falcon Demo and the Patriots Jet Team.
The Amigo Airsho, sponsored by MountainStar Sports Group, features static exhibits, ground entertainment and air performers at Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss. (Courtesy Amigo Airsho)
Ground entertainment includes motocross athletes from Dialed Action Sports, California Tom Cruise and Arizona Ice Man, plus the Fort Bliss band, kids zones, a STEAM exhibit and more. Attendees will be able to bring one sealed water bottle or an empty (non-glass) reusable bottle to refill at water stations throughout the event. Every attendee will also receive a complimentary water bottle at the entrance. General admission starts at $35, with free admission for kids age 12 and younger. Free parking. Information: Amigo Airsho
EPSO’s ‘Space Odyssey’
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will present “Space Odyssey” on Oct. 17-18 at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave., with concerts beginning at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of conductor Bohuslav Rattay. The program features John Williams’ “Adventures on Earth” from “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Eric Whitacre’s “Deep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of our Universe” accompanied by film, and Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30.” The UTEP Concert Chorale will join the orchestra for the performances. Audiences are also invited to attend “Opening Notes” with Nathan Black at 6:30 p.m. in the Philanthropy Theatre for insights into the evening’s works. Tickets range from $17 to $49. Information: epso.org
Brew at the Zoo
Beer lovers and animal enthusiasts alike can sip and stroll under the stars during Brew at the Zoo, set for 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 18, at the El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano. The event for individuals ages 21 and older will feature more than 100 craft beers from regional breweries, food from local vendors, live music, DJs and even a choreographed fire show. Guests are invited to come in costume and enjoy entertainment alongside select animal habitats, including the Magellanic penguins and spider monkeys. General admission is $40, with early access tickets available for $50 and designated driver tickets for $15. Proceeds benefit the zoo’s conservation and education programs. Information: elpasozoo.org
Animal Services’ Wag-O-Ween
El Paso Animal Services will host its third annual Wag-O-Ween Market & Pet Carnival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at the new Westside Adoption Center, 5625 Confetti Drive. The family-friendly event, presented with the Upper Valley Market and Friends of El Paso Animal Services, will feature vendors, food trucks, games, pet photoshoots and live music by DJs Johnny Kage and Geezee Santana. Highlights include a pet-themed paint session at noon and a costume contest at 3 p.m. Fee-waived adoptions, discounted vaccines and 100 free microchips will also be available. Information: elpasoanimalservices.org
Pumpkin Palooza
The Upper Valley Artist and Farmers Market will host a fall-themed Pumpkin Palooza Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Mesa Plaza, 7930 N. Mesa St. The event will feature pumpkin painting for all ages, seasonal foods and drinks from local vendors, autumn-inspired crafts and goods from area makers, and photo-friendly setups designed for festive fall snapshots. Organizers describe the market as a family-friendly event that goes beyond the traditional pumpkin patch, with free entry and a focus on local community talent and flavors.
Hueco Tanks Community Fair
Families can celebrate the outdoors and local culture during the 31st Annual Hueco Tanks Community Fair, taking place Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19, at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, 6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1. The free event features guided tours, rock climbing, educational exhibits and wildlife presentations that highlight the area’s natural and historical significance. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Native American demonstrations, explore booths and activities for all ages, and take in the scenery of one of the region’s most treasured landscapes. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and no reservations are required. Information: tpwd.texas.gov or 915-857-1135.
Anime Mundo
Anime fans can look forward to a weekend of cosplay, collectibles and celebrity appearances when Anime Mundo returns Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19, to the El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza. The two-day convention opens its doors at 9 a.m. both days, with programming beginning at 10 a.m. Attendees can expect a full lineup of panels, vendors and activities celebrating Japanese pop culture, along with opportunities to meet popular voice actors and creators. Now in its third year, the event continues to draw large crowds of fans and artists alike. The convention operates as a cashless event and tickets are available online in advance. Information: animemundo.com
Coming Up
• ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’ at Wise Theatre: The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Theatre and Dance will perform a play based on Erika L. Sanchez’s novel about a Chicago teen who struggles to balance her immigrant parents’ expectations with her dreams of becoming a writer. “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” adapted by Isaac Gomez, will show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 25 and 30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at UTEP’s Wise Family Theatre, 2nd Floor, Fox Fine Arts Center on campus. Tickets are $12 for students, $15 for university faculty and staff, alumni, seniors and military, and $18 for adults and available at ticketmaster.com. Information: utep.edu/theatredance
• Oculto Film Fest: The Oculto Film Fest returns to the borderland this fall with events on both sides of the Rio Grande — Oct. 24-25 at El Paso’s Plaza Theatre and Nov. 1-2 at including a two-day celebration in Ciudad Juárez on Nov. 1-2 at the Paso del Norte Cultural Center in Ciudad Juárez. The festival will showcase a mix of horror and fantasy films from around the world, alongside short film blocks, master classes, panel discussions and industry talks. Highlights include international features such as “The Mouth of the Soul,” a gore musical comedy from Estonia, and a wide selection of short films from Mexico, Spain, Chile, Argentina and beyond. Information and schedule: ocultofilmfest.com
Mark Your Calendar
• Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival: The Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival invites the community to Downtown El Paso on Saturday, Nov. 1, for a daylong celebration of life and remembrance. The event, hosted by the Mexican American Cultural Center and the city’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 201 W. Franklin Ave. Attendees will take in a mile-long parade featuring floats, folklórico dancers, musicians and community groups. Free cultural programming will take place across the Downtown Arts District museums, alongside an artisan market and food truck plaza highlighting local vendors. The festival, rooted in Mesoamerican traditions and the observance of All Souls’ Day, offers families an opportunity to honor loved ones while experiencing one of El Paso’s largest public celebrations. Information: epmacc.org
• El Paso Winefest: The 12th Annual El Paso Winefest returns Nov. 1-2, bringing together wine, food and live entertainment for a weekend of culinary celebration. The grand tasting event Saturday, Nov. 1, will feature more than 500 wines alongside dishes from 25 local restaurants, with both general admission and VIP tickets available. On Sunday, Nov. 2, the gastronomic battle will showcase Michelin-star chefs mentoring culinary students in a timed competition judged by bloggers, the public and industry leaders. Proceeds from the festival benefit the RotaCare free medical clinic in El Paso’s Lower Valley. Tickets range from $75 to $250, with weekend passes and group packages also available. Information: elpasowinefest.com
• WinterFest: The city of El Paso’s WinterFest holiday event begins Saturday, Nov. 22 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Downtown. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at San Jacinto Plaza with the Scherr Legate Lights Parade starting at 6 p.m. WinterFest features holiday lights displays at San Jacinto Plaza, Cleveland Square Park and throughout the Downtown Arts District, ice skating, fiestas, movies, pictures with Santa, and a slew of special events. Full schedule to be announced. Information: epwinterfest.com
• El Paso Matters 9.15K: The El Paso Matters 9.15K will leave the starting line at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. More than just a race, the 9.15-kilometer course highlights community pride by honoring the region’s area code, with proceeds supporting El Paso Matters’ nonprofit journalism. Runners, walkers and supporters are invited to participate in this celebration of local stories and connection, with the event blending fitness, identity and civic engagement. Registration is now open. Information: elpasomatters.org
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