Upcoming Events in Panhandle Plains

Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive

After years of hot-trotting across their native Texas, the country outfit is primed to break out with the release of their third full-length album, the sonically sprawling and wistfully written “Welcome to Countryland.”

bigtexan.com/starlight-ranch-event-center

Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St.

Join the Abilene Philharmonic as they open the 2023-2024 season with “From Darkness to Light.” This concert features violinist Chloe Kiffer and cellist Horacio Contreras. The program includes Wagner’s “Overture to Die Meistersinger,” Britten’s “Four Sea Interludes” from “Peter Grimes,” and Brahm’s Concerto for Violin and Cello. Children ages 5 and under are not allowed in the concert hall.

abiphil.com/shows/from-darkness-to-light

Elta Joyce Murphey Performance Hall, 72 W. College Ave.

Revolution Film Festival is a hidden gem that showcases independent films from all over the country. Despite being relatively new, the festival has continually grown in popularity over the years and has attracted filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts to San Angelo. Past festivals have featured panel discussions, a special showing of the beloved film “Urban Cowboy,” and even special guest actors from the movie.

sanangelorevolution.com

Downtown

Each year, muralists from around the country contribute new murals to downtown Amarillo as part of an urban beautification project. Once the murals are complete, there’s a celebration featuring a variety of music artists.

hoodoomural.com

Bivins Mansion , 1000 S. Polk St.

Jazztober is a free jazz concert series on Tuesday nights in October. Bring something to sit on and a picnic to the lawn of the historic Bivins Home in Center City. The porch of the Bivins Mansion becomes the stage for the shows.

centercity.org/jazztober4

Lake Mineral Wells State Park , 100 Park Road 71

Held in the rolling hills of Lake Mineral Wells State Park, run on the Cross Timbers Trail System that showcases expansive views of the lake. Encounter rocks and a small amount of sandy trail on a single-track course surrounded by beautiful Texas wildflowers. After the race, cool down in the spring-fed lake.

ultraexpeditions.com/1877-ultra

Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, 400 Locust St.

The Applause! series works to develop the community through the cultural arts with music, art, dance, food, and fellowship. For Western Heritage night, Asleep at the Wheel performs a show.

sweetwaterauditorium.org

Eastland Square, 100 W. Main St.

RipFest is an ode to Old Rip, the famous horned toad that was buried with a time capsule at the Eastland courthouse and found to still be alive 31 years later when the capsule was opened. RipFest events include a 5K run, parade, food, crafts, vendors, a car show, and live music.

eastlandchamber.com/ripfest

McDonald Moody Auditorium, 5601 19th St.

Love blossoms in three comedic vignettes exploring the relationship between men and women.

lcu.edu

Downtown Coleman, 218 Commercial Ave.

The Miss Coleman County Scholarship Pageant, along with food and craft vendors, a car show, a sanctioned cookoff, a street dance, live entertainment, and fireworks make for a family-friendly celebration enjoyed by all ages.

colemancountytexas.com

Tri-State Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave.

The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association and the American Quarter Horse Association hold their world championships concurrently to determine who is the fastest and most accurate shot from horseback. Mounted contestants compete in this fast-action, timed event using two .45-caliber, single-action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition.

aqha.com/disciplines/showing/shows/cms-world

Downtown, 106 Cedar St.

Authentic German music, food, and fun with Texas flair await visitors to downtown Clyde as the city presents the second annual Clyde Oktoberfest. Scheduled to perform are Valina Polka and Das ist Lustig along with the dancing Tanzenfest Volkstanzkreis and German-born Evelyn Billington. Food trucks, vendors, and the Kinderberieich Kids Zone are just some of the other fun things you’ll find this weekend.

clyde-tx.gov

First Fianancial Bank Lawn, 201 Elm St.

A free community festival, attendees have fun with musical performances, dancing, and food trucks.

San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love St.

The Día de los Muertos celebration in San Angelo is a beautiful tribute to lost loved ones, combining art, music, and culture to create a memorable event. The event begins with a virtual 5K or 1-mile walk along the banks of the Concho River, where participants walk or run at their own pace to honor a lost loved one. Friday evening kicks off with a ceremony at the steps of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, where there’s a monumental community altar created with over 2,000 balloons, hundreds of flowers, and photos of lost loved ones.

sanangelohispanicheritage.org/home

San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love St.

This international, juried competition brings artists from across the nation and world to paint the city and countryside en plein air, the French term for painting in the outdoors.

enpleinairtexas.com

Various locations, 119 N. Second St.

As fall rolls in, Canadian celebrates leaf-peeping season with nature tours, an art show, and arts and crafts.

canadiantx.com

Big Spring State Park, No. 1 Scenic Drive

Celebrate pollinators by visiting with exhibitors, making crafts, participating in the Texas Pollinator Bioblitz, and other activities.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-spring

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Local businesses put up Halloween decorations and hand out treats to children. Some businesses and organizations have games and festive food.

sweetwatertexas.org

Travis Park, 806 Travis

Community members create altars and participate in a two-block procession to the altar area. Aztec dancers perform and also bless the altars, mariachi bands play, and vendors sell their authentic wares.

facebook.com/losmuertoswf

Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences and National Ranching Heritage Center, 1300 Mac Davis Lane and 3121 Fourth St.

Craig Haythorn is the 45th recipient of the National Golden Spur Award, which recognizes an individual’s hard work and dedication to the ranching and livestock industries. Established in 1978, the award honors iconic industry leaders whose devotion to land and livestock has earned them notable respect and admiration from their peers. The evening also features a performance by recording artist Cody Johnson. Heritage Weekend rounds out the event, with tours and programming at the National Ranching Heritage Center.

goldenspurhonors.com

Bill Franklin Center, 13152 SH 206

Coleman County shows its appreciation for hunters and the hunting industry with a steak dinner that includes drawings with rifles and other prizes to be given away.

colemancountytexas.com

Ballinger Community Center, 200 Crosson Ave.

The annual Hunters Appreciation Dinner includes raffle items, a silent auction, and vendors.

ballingerareachamberofcommerce.com

Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St.

The Working Ranch Cowboys Association produces the World Championship Ranch Rodeo as a means to showcase the skills of working ranch cowboys and to raise funds for the association’s foundation. Cowboys from ranches across the West participate in the competitions. The event also has a kids’ ranch rodeo, ranch equipment expo, cowboy poetry showcase, and an after-party with Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys.

amarillociviccenter.com

Abilene State Park, 150 Park Road 32

Immerse yourself in the wild history of the Texas frontier for a day at this celebration of the Texas frontier experience and the centennial of Texas State Parks. Enjoy music, dancing, and perspectives from the vibrant cultures that fashioned the frontier experience.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/abilene

Amarillo Botanical Gardens , 1400 Streit Drive

Christmas in the Gardens gets everyone ready for the holiday season, as visitors take a stroll through the Amarillo Botanical Garden’s glowing foliage.

amarillobotanicalgardens.org/events

Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St.

One of the nation’s largest indoor farm and ranch shows provides farmers and ranchers a place to network, learn, and grow. The event brings together the best in agribusiness from across the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas, with 500 exhibitors showcasing agricultural products, services, and technologies.

ideaggroup.com/amarillo

Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 South Oakes St.

Stroll through Fort Concho’s 24 historic buildings and 40 acres for holiday shopping, entertainment, food, special exhibits, and living history.

fortconcho.com

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Shop from vendors selling handmade arts and crafts. There is also food for sale, too.

nolancc.com

Various locations, 510 W. Concho Ave.

The annual Concho Christmas Celebration includes the community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Lights of Christmas Parade. Activities include Bike Through the Lights, a journey with Santa bicycle ride; the annual Tuba Christmas concert; Kayak through the Lights, a nighttime float along the Concho River under all the spectacular lights; Concerts at the Pavilion with local bands presenting music of the season, and a live Nativity scene.

discoversanangelo.com/event/concho-christmas-celebration

Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K

First Friday Art Trail is a free, self-guided public art happening held in the Lubbock Cultural District, bringing the community together for an evening of art, music, food, and fun. A variety of art centers, museums, galleries, and businesses take part in the evening.

lhuca.org/ffat

Ace Arena, 1441 SH 176 East

Celebrate the season with three days of festivities that begin on Friday with the lighted Christmas parade and continue on Saturday and Sunday with the annual Sugar Plum Market featuring merchandise vendors, a winter playground, and special readings by Mrs. Claus.

andrewstx.com

Amarillo Botanical Gardens , 1400 Streit Drive

Christmas in the Gardens puts you in a festive mood for the holiday season with a stroll through the Amarillo Botanical Garden’s glowing foliage.

amarillobotanicalgardens.org/events

Downtown

The streets of downtown Amarillo are illuminated with displays of colorful lights and creative floats, bringing joy and holiday spirit to the heart of the city. Families and friends gather along the parade route to witness the procession of festively decorated vehicles, marching bands, and community groups, making it a cherished annual tradition.

centercity.org/lightparade

Downtown Post, 105 E. Main St.

This Christmas celebration in downtown Post has unique vendors and shops, the Post Toastie Express train, Santa visits, and a lighted Christmas parade.

postcitytexas.com

Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St.

In a world premiere and backed by a full orchestra, this show features traditional Irish music, song, and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy. Originally from Sligo, Ireland, this folk ensemble tells the story of emigration to America and how they stayed in touch with people and customs they left behind.

abiphil.com/shows/irish-christmas-in-america

Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, 400 Locust St.

The holidays come to Sweetwater in the form of a student art show and a Christmas concert featuring the Lubbock Christian University Choir and Band.

sweetwaterauditorium.org

Various locations

Uniquely decorated homes showcase individual decorating styles that feature both newer and traditional Christmas decor. Stop by each house on the tour to see a festive variety of holiday expression.

ansonchamberofcommerce.com

Science Quadrangle, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway

Walk into a winter wonderland at Texas Tech University’s Carol of the Lights. This tradition is home to a 38-foot Christmas tree, 20-foot wreath, and over 25,000 lights surrounding Memorial Circle. Spectators can watch the lighting ceremony while enjoying hot cocoa and enjoy Christmas carols performed by Texas Tech’s combined choirs.

100.ttu.edu/caroloflights

Downtown Coleman, 218 Commercial St.

Ring in the holiday season with family fun. Kids love Breakfast with Santa and the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant, while adults can shop the Mistletoe Market. There’s a lighted parade at night, and don’t miss cookies with Santa.

Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, 2503 Fourth Ave.

The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum bustles with Christmas activity. Santa is ready to take requests from children who visit his sleigh in the snowy woods of Hazlewood Lecture Hall. Throughout the museum, children can make holiday crafts. Storytellers weave Christmas stories in a cozy living room setting with a crackling fire, while songs by children’s choirs and entertainers fill the rest of the museum with music from the Derrick Room. 

panhandleplains.org

Maxwell’s Pumpking Farm, 12908 Bell St.

This enchanting holiday event held at Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm features a festive array of activities and attractions for families. Visitors can immerse themselves in a winter wonderland filled with lights, visits with Santa Claus, decorations, and various fun-filled festivities, making it a joyful destination for all ages.

maxwellpumpkinfarm.com

Downtown Sweetwater , Oak Street

Spend the evening on Oak Street and watch the annual Christmas parade roll through downtown. Local businesses give out complimentary hot chocolate and goodies. Get your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and don’t miss the Sweetwater High School Band, Choir, and Pop Sensations perform Christmas music.

sweetwatertexas.org

National Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 Fourth St.

Experience a frontier Christmas at the National Ranching Heritage Center during the 45th annual Candlelight at the Ranch. Guests can enjoy a tour of historic structures with live reenactments from volunteers, a visit with Santa Claus, refreshments, and live music with a Texas swing.

ranchingheritage.org/nrhc-events/candlelight-at-the-ranch/#upcoming

Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.

Lonestar Ballet brings to life the enchanting world of the timeless holiday classic. Delight in a magical evening of ballet filled with graceful movements, stunning costumes, and a captivating storyline that transports audiences to a realm of wonder and imagination.

lonestarballet.org/season-of-dance

Streets of Anson, 1132 West Court Plaza

The entire community is engulfed in the Christmas spirit as the streets line with spectators that come from all over to enjoy the beauty and spectacle of the Parade of Lights, where each of the Miss Merry Christmas contestants compete to have the most creative and festive floats.

Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

Amarillo Symphony presents this annual show that offers favorite holiday music for friends and families to enjoy. The sparkling celebration features carols, classic songs, and a sing-along, making it become an Amarillo holiday tradition.

visitamarillo.com/event/happy-holiday-pops/26870

Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

For the ninth consecutive year, Murray & Peter present “A Drag Queen Christmas,” the longest-running drag tour in America. See host Miz Cracker plus favorite queens performing live on stage with very special guest Todrick Hall. Meet and greet tickets are available.

amarillociviccenter.com

The Wichita Theatre, 919 Indiana Ave.

Produced by The Grand Ol’ Production Company, this retro radio program is led by the best entertainers in Texas, presenting their annual Christmas Eve broadcast in front of a live studio audience with the N-O-E-L Radio Orchestra and Gospel Singers. Once described as “SNL in reverse,” this original production is interspersed with hilarious sketch comedy antics and driven by the music of your all-time favorite Christmas classics like you’ve never heard them before.

wichitatheatre.com

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Various school districts compete in a stock show, where students show a variety of animals.

nolancc.com

Amarillo Little Theatre Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle

It’s opening night for a 1920s-style murder mystery but when the curtain goes up, the performance quickly goes from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), “The Play That Goes Wrong” provides an evening of laughter.

amarillolittletheatre.org

Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St.

Join the Abilene Philharmonic as they start the new year with their third masterworks of the 2023-2024 season, “Don Juan by the Sea.” This concert features the incredible “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius as well as Richard Strauss’ “Don Juan.” Children ages 5 and under are not allowed in the concert hall.

abiphil.com/shows/don-juan-by-the-sea

Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive

Amarillo Symphony Orchestra music director George Jackson leads the Amarillo Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra at a show featuring soloists Rossitza Jekova-Goza on violin and Helen Blackburn on flute and chamber orchestra staples by Bach, Mahler, and Haydn, plus a newly commissioned work by composer Christopher Theofanidis.

visitamarillo.com/event/miracle-music/26878

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

A horse and rider must demonstrate their skills by separating a single cow from a herd and keep it from returning for a timed 2.5 minutes.

nolancc.com

Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

This concert features international star Mahan Esfahani on harpsichord performing Bach’s Concerto in D Minor, and the outstanding musicians of the Amarillo Symphony performing Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra.”

visitamarillo.com

San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love St.

Microscopes, magnifying glasses, and virtual imaging techniques reveal a world of great beauty and complexity. The art quilts in the exhibit explore a corner of the world at high magnification, capturing tiny wonders at the microscopic level, or by zooming in on a larger object to show its smallest details.

samfa.org

San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love Street

A selection of works from the collection of Joel and Suzanne Sugg features seldom-seen paintings by N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), the patriarch of the Wyeth dynasty of painters.

samfa.org

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Nationally recognized team ropers compete to see who takes home the championship title.

nolancc.com

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Cowboys and cowgirls complete their first run in bareback, double mugging, tie-down roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bulldogging, goat tying, ribbon roping, steer riding, and bull riding.

nolancc.com

Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium , 400 Locust St.

The Applause! series works to develop the community through the cultural arts with music, art, dance, food, and fellowship. This event includes the Black Excellence Art Show and a concert by the Abilene Christian University Gospel Choir and Band with local guest vocalists.

sweetwaterauditorium.org

Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave.

On February 3, 1959, Lubbock’s son and music legend, Buddy Holly, along with Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson were killed in a plane crash en route to the next tour stop. Every year, the Buddy Holly Center hosts a free event for families to celebrate the legacy of the lives lost.

ci.lubbock.tx.us/events/1673021168-the-day-the-music-died

Myrtle Wilks Community Center, 1498 I-20 Frontage Road

Vendors across Texas gather to showcase and sell guns, knives, and coins. A deli is available for food.

gunshowtrader.com/gun-shows/leon-boles-memorial-gun-show

Sharpened Iron Studios, 1314 S. Polk St.

Chamber Music Amarillo presents this show by Triosarachops, a local trio with soprano Sarah Beckham-Turner, horn player Guglielmo Manfredi, pianist Sarah Rushing. The group performs captivating works by Schubert, Bernstein, and a commissioned piece from composer Adam Levowitz.

visitamarillo.com

Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

Entering its sixth year in Amarillo, the Kody Hodge Foundation’s One-Act Play Festival provides audiences the opportunity to see the quality theater being produced in high schools across this great state. Schools from all over Texas converge on Amarillo to test out their UIL One-Act Play Contest entries for 2024. The public is invited to come see what these young thespians are capable of putting on a stage.

kodyhodge.org/kody-hodge-one-act-play-festival

Amarillo Little Theatre Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle

This 1996 Tony Award winner for Best Musical is based on Puccini’s beloved opera “La Boheme” and follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village.

amarillolittletheatre.org/current-season

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Rodeo meets charity at this bull riding event, with all proceeds going to visually impaired kids and their families across the Big Country area. See bull riders in action and shop from vendors.

nolancc.com

Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive

Young boys and girls compete in multiple rodeo events, including team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and steer riding.

nolancc.com

Amarillo Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.

The Amarillo Master Chorale with the Amarillo Symphony performs Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and an exciting new composition “Novae Laudis” by Amarillo College professor Nathan Fryml.

amarillosymphony.org/event/mahlers-fifth-symphony

Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 South Oakes St.

Celebrate the contributions of the buffalo soldiers to West Texas and the military frontier with displays, living history, and special talks. Buffalo soldiers were Black soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier after the Civil War. Their duties included helping with westward expansion, building roads and infrastructure, and guarding the U.S. mail.

fortconcho.com