It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the Borderland, Winterfest has officially begun in Downtown El Paso! And while the lights at San Jacinto Plaza, the Rink, and the parade always get the spotlight, there’s one WinterFest tradition that still doesn’t get the love it truly deserves: the Plaza Theatre’s FREE holiday movie series.
The Most Underrated WinterFest Event in El Paso
Every year, thousands of people flood downtown for ice skating, hot chocolate, selfies under the giant tree, and the local vendors. But just steps away, inside one of the most beautiful theaters in Texas, El Pasoans can watch holiday classics on the big screen for free, and somehow, this event still flies under the radar.
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I went last year expecting a packed house, the kind where you’re stuck sitting next to someone’s oversized jacket. Instead, while it was certainly peaceful, there were plenty of open seats, a chill crowd, and the kind of nostalgic holiday magic you only get from an old-school theater.
It still blows my mind that more people don’t go!
The Plaza Theatre Is a Holiday Experience All Its Own
Walking into the Plaza Theatre feels like stepping into a glowing vintage Christmas postcard. The chandeliers, the architecture, the twinkling “night sky” ceiling, the restrooms! But the best part? Live holiday music on the Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ before every movie. It’s pure nostalgia- the kind of thing you don’t see anywhere else in El Paso.
And yes… admission is totally free. No tickets. No lines. No stress!
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This year, the El Paso Community Foundation’s Plaza Classic Film Festival is bringing back six beloved Christmas movies, shown across three Sundays inside the historic theater.
Here’s the full lineup:
Sunday, November 30
3 pm – The Nightmare Before Christmas
5:30 pm – Home Alone
Sunday, December 7
2:30 pm – It’s a Wonderful Life
6 pm – Elf
Sunday, December 21
3 pm – The Polar Express
6 pm – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Six classics. Zero cost. Endless holiday vibes.
WinterFest runs from November 22 to January 4, and downtown is buzzing all season long. But the Plaza Theatre screenings offer something different. This season, don’t sleep on one of El Paso’s best (and most affordable) holiday experiences.
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