Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations are filling the borderland with color, music and community spirit. From family-friendly trick-or-treat events to traditional ofrenda displays and parades honoring loved ones, residents can find plenty of ways to mark the season throughout the region.

Here’s a guide to some of the festivities taking place through October and into early November.

City of El Paso Halloween Carnivals

El Paso Parks and Recreation will host free Halloween Carnivals across the city from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31. Families can enjoy jumping balloons, games, activities, candy and music at recreation centers in every region. Costumes are encouraged for these family-friendly events.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Gary Del Palacio Recreation Center, 3001 Parkwood St.

Friday, Oct. 31

Mission Valley:
• Officer David Ortiz Recreation Center, 563 N. Carolina Drive
• Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
• Seville Recreation Center, 6700 Sambrano Ave.
• Sylvia A. Carreon Recreation Center, 709 Lomita Drive
• Valle Bajo Recreation Center, 7380 Alameda Ave.

Eastside / Far Eastside:
• Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11620 Vista del Sol Drive
• Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd.
• The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Drive

Westside / Downtown:
• Armijo Recreation Center, 700 E. Seventh Ave.
• Chihuahuita Community Center, 417 Charles Road
• Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Drive
• Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Drive
• Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 901 N. Virginia St.

Central / Northeast:
• Chamizal Recreation Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
• Mountain View Park – Rae Gilmore Recreation Center, 8501 Diana Drive
• Nolan Richardson Recreation Center, 4435 Maxwell Ave.
• San Juan Recreation Center, 701 N. Glenwood St.
• Wayne Thornton Recreation Center, 3134 Jefferson Ave.
• Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem Drive

Boo at the Zoo

Families can celebrate Halloween early during Boo at the Zoo, a weekend of fun scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26, at the El Paso Zoo, 4001 E. Paisano Drive. The event features eight candy stations, Halloween-themed decorations and a dance contest for costumed guests. Entertainment includes the Odd Lab Halloween Acrobatic Show, performances by Evolution Dance Studio and Han’s Martial Arts, and a magic and comedy show by magician George Diazo. Music by DJ Jazzy J will set the tone near the koi pond and Wildlife Amphitheater. The event is free with zoo membership. Information: elpasozoo.org

San Elizario Day of the Dead Parade

San Elizario will celebrate the spirit of remembrance and tradition with its annual Día de los Muertos Parade at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the San Elizario cemetery and plaza, 1556 San Elizario Road. The event will feature altars where attendees can honor loved ones by placing their photos. Visitors can enjoy local vendors offering traditional food, art and crafts inspired by the holiday’s customs. Participants are also invited to take part in the catrinas and catrines contest, showcasing creative and elegant interpretations of the iconic Day of the Dead figures. Information: cityofsanelizario.com

KLAQ Halloween Parade

A spooky tradition returns for its 40th year as KLAQ hosts its annual Halloween Parade from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Eastwood Park, 3110 Parkwood St. Presented by One Source Federal Credit Union and FloWar Life Essentials, the event will feature floats, marching bands, costume contests and an after-party on the park grounds. Participants can compete in categories including best float, costume and business entry, while the Buzz Adams Morning Show leads the procession on its own themed float. The parade is free to attend and open to the public, with family activities, food vendors and candy giveaways along the route. Information: klaq.com

EPCC Halloween events

El Paso Community College is celebrating Halloween across its campuses this month with a lineup of free and low-cost events open to the public. The festivities range from lighthearted family fun to spine-tingling scares:

Thursday, Oct. 24: Hall-O-Horrors IV at the Valle Verde Campus (919 Hunter Drive, Building A, Rooms 1116-1121) from 6 to 8 p.m. This haunted experience is recommended for older audiences. Admission is free.

Friday, Oct. 25: Trunk or Treat! at the Mission del Paso Campus (10700 Gateway Blvd. East, Parking Lot C) from 6 to 9 p.m. Families can enjoy decorated car trunks, candy and games at this free community event.

Thursday, Oct. 30: Fall Festival at the Valle Verde Campus (Americana Village, 919 Hunter Drive) from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free for students and children younger than 12, while adults can enter with a $5 fee or a Tejano Mercado donation.

Friday, Oct. 31: Halloween Zombie Haunted House at the Northwest Campus (6701 S. Desert Blvd., Northwest Library) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event invites the community to explore a spooky setting created by students and staff.

Each event offers a unique way for students, families, and community members to get into the Halloween spirit while celebrating with EPCC.

UTEP’s Halloween at the Museum

The University of Texas at El Paso Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens will host a family-friendly Halloween celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at 610 W. University Ave. The free event will feature a mix of spooky and educational activities, including a display of eerie artifacts, classic Halloween films and a photo booth. Guests can enjoy complimentary popcorn and candy, make their own slime, and even get a tarot reading. Costumes are encouraged for attendees of all ages. Information: utep.edu

Humane Society of El Paso’s Adopt-O-Ween

Families and pet lovers are invited to celebrate Halloween during the Humane Society of El Paso’s Adopt-O-Ween Trunk or Treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at 4991 Fred Wilson Ave. The free event will feature animal adoptions, a vendor fair, trunk-or-treating, costume contests for kids and dogs, raffles, food trucks and face painting. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy a festive evening while supporting local animals in need. Raffle tickets will be available with on-site donations. Information: Humane Society of El Paso Facebook

Trick or Treat at Bassett Place

Families can celebrate Halloween at Bassett Place’s annual Trick or Treat event, taking place at 6101 Gateway Blvd. West beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Children are invited to dress in costume and collect candy from participating stores throughout the mall while supplies last. The free event offers a safe environment for trick-or-treating. 

Trunk or Treat at Concordia Cemetery

Families can celebrate Halloween among El Paso’s most historic resting grounds at the Trunk or Treat at Concordia Cemetery, hosted by the Concordia Heritage Association. The free event takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at 3700 E. Yandell Drive. Visitors can expect festively decorated car trunks, candy, games and costumes in a safe trick-or-treating setting. The evening will feature a live performance by the Rio Grande Playboys, known for their energetic rockabilly and honky-tonk sound. Admission is free and open to the public.

Opera UTEP’s ‘Trick or Treat’

Opera UTEP will present its fall Opera Showcase, “Trick or Treat,” with two performances Friday, Oct. 31, at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall on the University of Texas at El Paso campus, 500 W. University Ave. The family-friendly production will feature music from “The Halloween Tree,” “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Orpheus in the Underworld,” “Dido and Aeneas” and more. Performances begin at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., with spoken narration and supertitles in English and Spanish to guide audiences through each scene. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors, military, students and UTEP alumni, and free for children younger than 12 as well as UTEP students, faculty and staff. Parking is complimentary in the Sun Bowl Parking Garage. Information: utep.edu

Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival 

Downtown El Paso will come alive with color, music and tradition during the Día de los Muertos Desfile and Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at 201 W. Franklin Ave. The celebration, organized by the city of El Paso’s Mexican American Cultural Center and Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, honors loved ones who have died with a full day of cultural activities, live performances and family-friendly festivities. The parade begins at 4 p.m. and will feature more than 60 entries including floats, ballet folklórico dancers and community groups. Visitors can also visit artisan vendors at the El Paso Market, local food trucks and Día de los Muertos-themed programming across the Downtown Arts District museums. The event is free and open to the public. Information: MACC.

Art From the Heart

The El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation will host the 3rd Annual Art From the Heart, a free community festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at La Viña Winery, 4201 New Mexico Highway 28 in Anthony, New Mexico. Proceeds benefit the foundation’s Healing Arts Program, which provides music and visual-arts activities to young patients. Highlights include a Día de los Muertos ofrenda showcase, a Marigold Makerspace with hands-on projects for all ages, community resource booths and a food-truck area. Admission is free. Information: elpasochildrensfoundation.org

Día de los Muertos at Mission Valley Visitors Center

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the El Paso Mission Trail from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Mission Valley Visitor Center, 9065 Alameda Ave. The free community event will honor the traditional Mexican holiday with pan de muerto and hot cocoa served in an atmosphere that encourages remembrance and togetherness. Information: elvisromo1@gmail.com

Concordia Heritage Association Día de los Muertos

Concordia Cemetery will honor tradition with its annual Día de los Muertos celebration from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3700 E. Yandell Drive. Hosted by the Concordia Heritage Association, the event will feature live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, a catrina costume contest and ofrendas dedicated to loved ones. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in Día de los Muertos attire and enjoy an afternoon of culture and remembrance. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for students, and free for children ages 6 and younger. Information and tickets:eventbrite.com

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