Here’s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week.

Navidad de La Fe Luminarias 

The 31st annual Navidad de La Fe Luminarias will return to Scenic Drive from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, offering one of El Paso’s most enduring holiday traditions. Organizers with Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe will place 4,000 luminarias along the route, guiding vehicles westward past volunteer-manned campfires, a live Nativity scene and a donation drop-off point for canned goods. The drive-through event is free; vehicles must enter at Richmond Avenue, dim lights and remain in single-lane traffic. Canned food and monetary donations to support local families will be accepted at the top of Scenic Drive. Information: Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe Facebook.

Arts District Posada

The City of El Paso’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department will host an Arts District Posada as part of its Third Thursday initiative from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 201 W. Franklin Ave. Free, all-ages activities will begin at 5 p.m. with booths hosted by the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, El Paso Museum of Archaeology and the MACC. A procession will start at 6 p.m. at the El Paso Museum of Art, traveling through Cleveland Square Park with traditional villancicos before concluding at the MACC with a“pidiendo posada,” along with seasonal treats and a piñata. Information: elpasotexas.gov

After Hours @ La Nube 

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, 201 W. Main St., will host an adults-only “After Hours: Jingle & Mingle” event from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, offering holiday-themed activities and access to the museum’s exhibits. The evening will feature music, karaoke, seasonal treats and cocktails, as well as opportunities for photos with Santa. Tickets, which will not be sold at the door, cost $45 for general admission and $40 for members. Information: la-nube.org

Polar Plunge at Ascarate Pool 

El Paso County Parks and Recreation will host its annual “Plunge into the New Year” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, inviting residents to take a brisk dip at the Ascarate Aquatic Center, 6900 Delta Drive. The event begins with a group plunge at 1 p.m., followed by open swim and individual jumps for the remainder of the hour. Organizers say groups are encouraged to participate together, with the largest group receiving a prize. The first 20 registered participants to make the plunge will also receive a stuffed polar bear. Swimmers may wear the attire of their choice and are encouraged to bring warm clothing for after the plunge. Information: El Paso County Parks and Recreation Facebook.

Frost & Fun at La Nube 

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, 201 W. Main St., will host a special “Frost & Fun: Family Night” from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, offering families an after-hours, winter-themed evening. The event will feature holiday activities including chocolate stamping with liquid nitrogen, cookie workshops, winter games and screenings of seasonal films. Children can also write postcards to Santa and make LED holiday cards. Admission is $25, or $20 for La Nube members. Organizers say the first 100 children to arrive will receive a special Frost & Fun gift. Information: la-nube.org

Meet Santa at the Library

Families will have the chance to meet Santa Claus this weekend as the El Paso Public Libraries closes its series of WinterFest-themed events across its branches. Children can share wish lists, listen to holiday stories and enjoy free refreshments during meet-and-greet sessions scheduled at four library locations through Dec. 20. This week, Santa will visit the Judge Edward S. Marquez Branch, 610 N. Yarbrough Drive, at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; the Irving Schwartz Branch, 1865 Dean Martin Drive, at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; the Sergio Troncoso Branch, 9321 Alameda Ave., at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; and the Memorial Park Branch, 3200 Copper Ave., at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. All gatherings are free and open to the public. Schedule and information: elpasolibrary.org

WinterFest events

• The Rink: WinterFest’s ice skating rink welcomes skaters through Jan. 4 outside the El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza. The Rink at WinterFest, presented by GECU, is free to view and costs $12 for those who want to skate. Regular hours run evenings Monday through Friday and expand on weekends, with extended daytime hours during Thanksgiving week and the late-December holiday period. WinterFest will also offer sensory-friendly sessions each Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. to provide a calmer environment for guests who need it. Hours, FAQ and more: epwinterfest.com/the-rink

• Holiday Fiestas: Holiday Fiestas bring regional performers to the stage at San Jacinto Plaza each weekend, with shows presented by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department in front of the Lagartos sculpture. The series continues throughout the weekend with Folklorico Herencia Mexicana, Eastwood High School Folklorico Nuevo Amanecer, Click Band and DJ Johnny Kage performing Friday, Dec. 19; Ballet Folklorico Iztac con Mariachi Reyes Coronado, Borderland Country Dancers and Ryan G. Band perform Saturday, Dec. 20, and FBC Preschool and Kids Choir, Sound Stage 9 Rock Band, Freddy Hernandez and the AJM Collective perform Sunday, Dec. 21. Performances conclude Jan. 4. Information and complete schedule: epwinterfest.com

• Pictures with Santa: Families can take free, on-the-spot holiday photos with Santa Claus at San Jacinto Plaza from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sunday. The drop-in photo station — no appointments required — continues through Dec. 21 and delivers images directly to visitors’ phones, adding a simple, festive stop to WinterFest’s downtown activities.

• Free holiday movies: Free holiday films are being shown at the Plaza Theatre this season as part of WinterFest, presented by the El Paso Community Foundation’s Plaza Classic Film Festival in partnership with El Paso Live. The series concludes with “The Polar Express” at 3 p.m. and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. All screenings are free, with an organist performing 30 minutes before showtime. Information and schedule: epwinterfest.com

Coming Up

• Kwanzaa celebration: The McCall Neighborhood Center will host its annual Kwanzaa celebration from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, through 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at 3231 Wyoming Ave. The six-day observance will include nightly programs centered on the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, beginning with Umoja (unity) on Dec. 26 and concluding with Imani (faith) on Jan. 1. Each evening will feature community presenters, including local civic organizations and Greek-letter groups, with some events streamed online. The celebration is open to the public and includes food and community programming focused on culture, history and collective reflection. Information: mccallcenter.org

Mark Your Calendar

• Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Arizona State University and Duke University will meet in the annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at noon Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Sun Bowl Stadium, marking the 92nd edition of one of college football’s longest-running postseason traditions. The Blue Devils (8-5) enter the game as champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference while the Sun Devils (8-4) finished sixth in the Big 12 Conference and are a year removed from a berth in the College Football Playoff. Information and tickets: sunbowl.org

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• New Year’s Eve Star Drop at San Jacinto Plaza: The city of El Paso and event producer In Blume will host the New Year’s Eve El Paso Star Drop on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at San Jacinto Plaza, offering a free, family-friendly celebration to close out the year. The event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight and will feature a new 30-foot illuminated star, live music, DJs and a community countdown to 2026, powered by El Paso Electric. Performers include DJ G Cue, Lucha Lucha, International Sonora Skandalo and DJ Johnny Kage. Information: El Paso WinterFest Instagram.

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