![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/crop.webp.jpeg\")
The University of Texas at El Paso men\u2019s basketball team opens the 2026 calendar year with a two-game homestand at the Don Haskins Center as the Miners look to climb the Conference USA standings. (Courtesy UTEP Athletics)<\/p>\n
UTEP Men\u2019s Basketball vs. Middle Tennessee \/ WKU<\/p>\n
The University of Texas at El Paso men\u2019s basketball team opens the 2026 calendar year with a two-game homestand at the Don Haskins Center as the Miners look to climb the Conference USA standings. UTEP enters the week with a 4-10 overall record and is seeking its first conference win.<\/p>\n
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, vs. Middle Tennessee; 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, vs. WKU<\/p>\n
Where: Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Road<\/p>\n
Cost: All tickets for Jan. 8 game priced at $9.15<\/p>\n
Information: utepminers.com<\/a><\/p>\n Women Hike at Lower Sunset Trail<\/p>\n An easy-to-moderate guided hike for women through the Chihuahuan Desert, led by a female ranger or volunteer, offering participants a chance to learn best hiking practices and explore the area\u2019s desert ecosystems. The 2.5-mile route is suitable for families, beginner hikers, and geology and wildlife enthusiasts.<\/p>\n When: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 10<\/p>\n Where: Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Unit, 2900 Tom Mays Park Access Road<\/p>\n Cost: $5 (ages 13 and older); free for Texas State Park Pass holders and children ages 5-12<\/p>\n Information: Reservations required, 915-444-9121<\/p>\n Peak Challenge at Ron Coleman Trail<\/p>\n An advanced hiking event at Franklin Mountains State Park challenging participants to complete one of the park\u2019s most strenuous routes. The hike covers approximately 4 miles and includes steep inclines, rock scrambling and chain-assisted ascents, beginning in McKelligon Canyon and ending at Smuggler\u2019s Pass. Reservations are required and space is limited.<\/p>\n When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11<\/p>\n Where: Meet at Smuggler\u2019s Pass (Mammoth Trunk) parking area, Franklin Mountains State Park<\/p>\n Cost: $5 (ages 13 and older); free for Texas State Park Pass holders and children ages 5-12<\/p>\n Information: Registration required, 915-444-9121<\/p>\n Coming Up<\/p>\n Zuill Bailey and Friends<\/p>\n The opening week of the festival brings together cellist Zuill Bailey and guest performers including the Vega Quartet, violinists Helen Kim and Yinzi Kong, and pianist and festival director William Ransom for an evening of chamber music aimed at engaging new audiences.<\/p>\n When: 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14<\/p>\n Where: UTEP Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall<\/p>\n Cost: Varies<\/p>\n Information: elpasopromusica.org<\/a><\/p>\n Third Thursdays in the Downtown Arts District<\/p>\n A monthly initiative bringing extended hours, special programming and coordinated activities to cultural institutions throughout the Downtown Arts District, where you can experience multiple venues in a single evening. Participating locations include the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, El Paso Mexican American Cultural Center, El Paso Public Library Main Branch, La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, the Visit El Paso Visitors Information Center, El Paso Community Foundation and the Market EP.<\/p>\n When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15<\/p>\n Where: Locations across the Downtown Arts District<\/p>\n Cost: Free<\/p>\n Information: elpasotexas.gov<\/a><\/p>\n Days of Remembrance Bridal & Quince Expo:\u00a0<\/p>\n The 36th annual Winter Days of Remembrance Bridal & Quince Expo will bring together brides, quincea\u00f1eras and families from across the region for a showcase of more than 75 local vendors, along with entertainment and prize giveaways.<\/p>\n When: 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18<\/p>\n Where: El Paso Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza<\/p>\n Cost: Tickets available online<\/p>\n Information: bridalquinceexpo.com<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Your Calendar<\/p>\n Outdoor Cooking 101<\/p>\n A hands-on workshop focused on campfire cooking with a Dutch oven, offering participants an opportunity to practice outdoor cooking techniques at Franklin Mountains State Park. Space is limited and advance registration is required.<\/p>\n When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 24<\/p>\n Where: Franklin Mountains State Park, Visitor Center, 2900 Tom Mays Access Road<\/p>\n Cost: $8 (ages 13 and older); $3 with Texas State Park Pass; $1 (ages 5-12)<\/p>\n Information: tpwd.texas.gov<\/a><\/p>\n EPSO\u2019s \u2018Majestic Rhythms\u2019<\/p>\n The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presents a two-night program featuring conductor Bohuslav Rattay and violinist Matthew Vera, with works by Alberto Ginastera, \u00c9douard Lalo and Ferde Grof\u00e9. A pre-concert \u201cOpening Notes\u201d talk with Nathan Black begins at 6:30 p.m. each evening in the Philanthropy Theatre.<\/p>\n When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24<\/p>\n Where: Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave.<\/p>\n Cost: $17-$49<\/p>\n Information: epso.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018The Edge is a Center\u2019 at Rubin Center gallery<\/p>\n A group exhibition dubbed \u201cThe Edge is a Center\u201d at the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts explores contemporary graphic design through the work of University of Texas at El Paso alumni whose practices span murals, packaging, branding and other forms. The exhibition examines how designers shaped by life along the U.S.-Mexico border navigate and redefine boundaries across cultures, disciplines and media.<\/p>\n When: Opening reception, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. Exhibit closes April 11<\/p>\n Curator walkthrough: Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, led by guest curator Ana Gabriela Becerra and senior curator Andres Payan Estrada<\/p>\n Where: Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts, 720 Dawson Road<\/p>\n Cost: Free<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2024-Franklin-Mountains-State-Park-Guzzler-Project-62-of-96.jpg\")
Texas Bighorn Society volunteers help build a water guzzler on Franklin Mountains State Park. The guzzlers collect rainwater for desert bighorn sheep and other animals. (Courtesy Texas Bighorn Society)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CB_KnappLand-16.jpg\")
Hikers climb a trail in the Knapp Land Nature Reserve, with Hondo Pass and northeast El Paso in the distance, Feb. 3, 2025. (Corrie Boudreaux\/El Paso Matters)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/zuill_bailey.png\")
Zuill Bailey<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/museum_of_hist.jpg\")
The El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St. (Pablo Villa \/ El Paso Matters)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CB_ConventionCenter-6.jpg\")
The Judson F. Williams Convention Center, center, with the Abraham Chavez Theatre at bottom left, share a shaded plaza. The city recently bought the buildings adjacent to the convention center to expand its footprint. (Corrie Boudreaux\/El Paso Matters)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Philanthropy_Theatre_Stage.jpg\")
Philanthropy Theatre. (Courtesy El Paso Live)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Rubin-Center.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ep_opera.jpg\")
El Paso Opera\u2019s 2025 \u201cEncores and Overtures\u201d performance at the Elmont Special Event Center. (Courtesy El Paso Opera)<\/p>\n