Texas Tech Health El Paso Lighting Campus for Hope<\/p>\n
Texas Tech Health El Paso will host its Third Annual Lighting Campus for Hope celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at its campus, 130 Rick Francis St. The free public event will feature holiday lights, live music and other family-friendly activities, including a fireworks show and photos with Santa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Turning the soil: El Paso cancer center breaks ground<\/a><\/p>\n El Paso Electric and the Electric Company Charitable Foundation are expected to announce a gift to the Building Hope Campaign, which supports construction of the upcoming Fox Cancer Center.<\/a> The celebration highlights the experiences of local cancer patients and follows Texas Tech Health El Paso\u2019s September groundbreaking for the center, part of a $50 million fundraising effort that has secured $45 million in commitments to date.<\/p>\n Meet Santa at the Library<\/p>\n Families will have several chances to meet Santa Claus this month as the El Paso Public Libraries hosts a series of WinterFest-themed events across its branches. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 6, children can share wish lists, listen to holiday stories and enjoy free refreshments during meet-and-greet sessions scheduled at eight library locations through Dec. 20. Santa will visit the Clardy Fox Branch Library, 5515 Robert Alva Ave., and the Esperanza Moreno Branch Library, 12480 Pebble Hills Blvd., at 11 a.m. All gatherings are free and open to the public. Schedule and information: elpasolibrary.org<\/a><\/p>\n City of Socorro WinterFest\u00a0<\/p>\n The city of Socorro hosts its Wicked WinterFest from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, offering an evening of community festivities at the Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Road. The evening will feature a 6 p.m. parade, a tree-lighting ceremony, live entertainment, vendors and a Santa meet-and-greet. Information: hello@costx.us<\/a> or 915-860-8615.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Lights on the Lake\u00a0<\/p>\n Lights on the Lake returns to Ascarate Park, offering nightly holiday light displays through Jan. 6. El Paso County Parks & Recreation will open the season with a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, preceded by a canine \u201cpaw-rade\u201d at 5 p.m. The evening will feature live music, food trucks and a drone light show. A separate family event, Cookies with Santa, is scheduled for Dec. 13 with activities beginning at 5 p.m. The annual Lights on the Lake installation will illuminate the park at 6900 Delta Drive from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. Admission is free.<\/p>\n Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Winter Market\u00a0<\/p>\n The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Department of Cultural Preservation will host its annual Winter Market during the first weekend of December at the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center, 305 Yaya Lane. The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The market will feature Tribal vendors from several Pueblos as well as social dance performances and family activities. Information: 915-859-7700<\/p>\n Resler Canyon 20th Anniversary\u00a0<\/p>\n The Frontera Land Alliance will mark the 20th anniversary of the Wakeem\/Teschner Nature Preserve at Resler Canyon with a trail race and family walk beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The event, held at the 91-acre preserve protected by the nonprofit, includes a 5K run and walk beginning at 8 a.m. and a one-mile family walk starting at 8:30 a.m. Gates open at 7:15 a.m. at the Cadiz Street and Fiesta Drive trailhead. Frontera staff say the anniversary highlights two decades of community-driven conservation at the site and aims to raise awareness of ongoing efforts to protect open space in the region. Information: fronteralandalliance.org<\/a><\/p>\n EPSO \u2018Christmas Fantasia\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n The El Paso Symphony Orchestra presents \u201cChristmas Fantasia,\u201d a concert blending the wonder of Disney\u2019s \u201cFantasia\u201d with the spirit of the season Dec. 5-6 at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave. Conducted by Bohuslav Rattay and featuring the University of Texas at El Paso Choral Union, the program offers a musical journey filled with festive favorites and classical music. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. each night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The venue now operates as a clear-bag and cashless facility. Information: epso.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018A Tale of Two Artists\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n The International Museum of Art and the Magoffin Home will celebrate the legacy of two early El Paso artists and friends, Octavia \u201cTia\u201d Magoffin Glasgow and Leola Warnock Freeman, with the opening of \u201cA Tale of Two Artists\u201d from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the museum, 1211 Montana Ave. The exhibit explores the women\u2019s artistic journeys and the social dynamics that shaped their creative paths. The opening reception will also feature an interactive activity led by the Magoffin Home and the debut of the museum\u2019s new pop-up gallery, \u201cWoman As Artist,\u201d which highlights other early women artists of the region. Admission to the International Museum of Art is free, and the exhibit will remain on view in the Turney Gallery.<\/p>\n WinterFest events<\/p>\n \u2022 The Rink: WinterFest\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Holiday Fiestas: Holiday Fiestas bring regional performers to the stage at San Jacinto Plaza each weekend, with shows presented by the city\u2019s Parks and Recreation Department in front of the Lagartos sculpture. The series continues throughout the weekend with Image Dance Academy, Kid-N-CO, CO2 Live and DJ Javi performing Friday, Dec. 5; Posada del Consulado Mexicano and La Imperial Sonora perform Saturday, Dec. 6, and a Baila El Paso event with Az\u00facar takes place Sunday, Dec. 7. Performances conclude Dec. 21. Information and complete schedule: epwinterfest.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Pictures 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 \u2014 no appointments required \u2014 continues through Dec. 21 and delivers images directly to visitors\u2019 phones, adding a simple, festive stop to WinterFest\u2019s downtown activities.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Free holiday movies: Free holiday films return to the Plaza Theatre this season as part of WinterFest, presented by the El Paso Community Foundation\u2019s Plaza Classic Film Festival in partnership with El Paso Live. The series features \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d at 2:30 p.m. and \u201cElf\u201d at 6 p.m. Dec. 7; and \u201cThe Polar Express\u201d at 3 p.m. and \u201cDr. Seuss\u2019 How the Grinch Stole Christmas\u201d at 6 p.m. Dec. 21. All screenings are free, with an organist performing 30 minutes before showtime. Information and schedule: epwinterfest.com<\/a><\/p>\n Coming Up<\/p>\n \u2022 Segundo Barrio mural tour: Los Murales de Segundo Barrio Tour will offer a free, two-hour guided walk through one of El Paso\u2019s most historic neighborhoods beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Led by renowned El Paso muralist Jes\u00fas \u201cCimi\u201d Alvarado, the tour begins at the Father Rahm Mural near 111 W. Father Rahm Ave. and will explore the themes, artists and cultural symbolism found throughout Segundo Barrio\u2019s Mexican and Chicano mural tradition. Organizers advise that the roughly one-mile route is not suitable for those with limited mobility. Parking is not provided, though metered spaces are available throughout Downtown. Registration is required due to limited space. Information: tomlea.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Horizon City holiday celebration: Horizon City will kick off its holiday celebrations with a weekend of community events centered around its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade. Festivities begin Friday, Dec. 12, with a float contest at 6:30 p.m. at the Oz Glaze Senior Center, 13969 Veny Webb St., followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. near the skate park behind the center, where attendees can enjoy hot chocolate and treats. The Christmas Parade, themed \u201cChristmas Around the World,\u201d steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, with staging starting at 8:30 a.m. Choirs, bands, dancers and other performers are invited to participate, and vendors along the route must obtain permits. Information: 915-588-1639.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Teen Adventure with WeHike: The El Paso Museum of Archaeology will host the concluding hike of its free Teen Adventure with WeHike program from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, offering an indoor and outdoor exploration of the region\u2019s desert landscape and cultural history. Designed for individuals ages 12-19, the event includes a guided hike on nearby trails, weather permitting, and activities that highlight local archaeology, natural features and stories rooted in the area\u2019s past. The program takes place at the museum, 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive. Registration: wehikeadventure.org<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Your Calendar<\/p>\n \u2022 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: The annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl returns at noon Wednesday, Dec. 31, to Sun Bowl Stadium, marking the 92nd edition of one of college football\u2019s longest-running postseason traditions. This year\u2019s matchup will feature a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference against a current or former member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Teams will be selected Sunday, Dec. 7. Information and tickets: sunbowl.org<\/a><\/p>\n Related<\/p>\n LISTEN: EL PASO MATTERS PODCAST<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s a roundup of some culture and civic events in the borderland in the coming week. 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The county of El Paso\u2019s Lights on the Lake at Ascarate Park, 6100 Delta Ave., offers an array of static light displays such as this one of the historic missions in the Lower Valley. (Courtesy County Parks and Recreation)<\/p>\n