Upcoming Events in South Texas Plains

Choke Canyon State Park, 358 Recreation Road 8

At the Park Fun Day, enjoy fishing, archery, kayaking, and basketball for all ages. Take a break at the food trucks. The Gator Fun Run is a 3K is for all ages. All participants who register by Aug. 30 receive a free T-shirt and participation medal. The run begins at the gymnasium and takes runners through the park, along wildlife-abundant roads, and through the lantana-filled trails.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/choke-canyon

Edinburg Food Truck Park, 201 N. Seventh Ave.

Try an array of new collaborations along with your favorite porters, stouts, pilsners, ales, wheats, belgians, ciders, and lagers. There are more than 100 premium and craft beers from over 85 breweries from around the world to try. Your ticket includes live music, interactive games, a wine garden, and free food from the best local restaurants.

universitydrafthousebeerfest.com

San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave.

The San Antonio Museum of Art hosts “American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection,” an exhibition spanning over 250 years of American art and featuring more than 100 works of art by renowned artists including Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Moran, Robert Henri, Los Mailou Jones, Allan Crite, Elizabeth Catlett, and Grant Wood. Though many objects from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection have been on view at museums around the country, this exhibition is the first exhibition to bring highlights of this extensive private collection together.

samuseum.org/artwork/exhibition/american-made-paintings-and-sculpture-from-the-demell-jacobsen-collection

Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St.

“Flutter” brings Open Dance Project’s theatrical approach outdoors where the company takes on the natural phenomenon of the monarch migration with its signature athleticism and poignant wit. Choreographic director Annie Arnoult uses gestures and movement patterns inspired by the butterflies as the basis for an ensemble of quirky characters and personalities that seem at once totally human and completely butterfly.

Shelby Park, 220 W. Main St. 

Enjoy live music, carnival rides, food vendors, and family fun along the banks of the Rio Grande.

facebook.com/officialcityeaglepasstexas

Elmendorf Lake Park, 3700 W. Commerce St.

As the sun sets on the evening sky, the Water Lantern Festival begins to shine with the launch of lanterns onto the water. Watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection.

waterlanternfestival.com/sanantonio.php

Promenade Park Amphitheater, 201 W. McIntyre St.

Los Muertos Bailan (The Dead Dance) Block Party celebrates life, memory, and the Mexican and borderlands tradition of Día de los Muertos.

edinburgarts.com

Estero Llano Grande State Park, 3301 S. International Blvd. (Farm-to-Market Road 1015)

Bring your friends and family of all ages, in costume if you like, to this annual fall festival that attracts more than 1,000 visitors. This year’s theme is “Dragons over Estero!” Take a close look at the local dragons (lizard, alligators, and dragonflies) and enjoy traditional festive fare including food vendors, costume contests, tram rides, and popular activities like archery, fishing, a DJ, face painting, a maze, storytelling, poisonous/edible wild plant education, live animals like snakes and spiders, games, and fun with chemistry.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/estero-llano-grande

Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt

Over the years, the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration has featured live performances, interactive and educational workshops, arts and crafts activities for kids including face painting, vendors and artisans, and a community altar.

missionmarquee.com

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, 5102 Bob Bullock Loop

Come out to Lake Casa Blanca State Park and experience everything that the park has to offer—from archery to hiking to fishing. Park day use entrance fees are waived for the event only. A detailed list of event times and locations of all activities is available on the date of the event.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-casa-blanca

Nelson Wolff Stadium, 5757 US 90 West

Experience Cirque du Soleil’s bedazzling “Bazzar” under the magic and wonder of the big top. The show sweeps audiences away with awe-inspiring acrobatic displays, adroit dancers, and talented musicians. Inspired by a traditional Middle Eastern bazaar, “Bazzar” captures the bustling energy of the centuries-old, open-air market through its ensemble of diverse characters.

cirquedusoleil.com/bazzar

Briscoe Western Arts Museum, 210 W. Market St.

Highlighting the continued vibrancy and artistic traditions of Native American communities, Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival offers a glimpse into traditional and contemporary Native American culture. Featuring pow wow-style drum circles and dancing, Native American artists, and musical performances, the event features storytelling, artist demonstrations of painting, printmaking, pottery, weaving and carving, as well as Native American-inspired food. Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival also features workshops and lectures celebrating Native American culture.

briscoemuseum.org/yanaguana

Goliad State Park and Historic Site, 108 Park Road 6

Travel back in time at Goliad State Park’s annual fall event, where demonstrators and reenactors show off their rare skill sets and visitors get an idea of what it was like to live along the San Antonio River throughout different times in history. Demonstrators, reenactors, and educators cover topics such as: blacksmithing, candle making, archeology, life of a Spanish Colonial friar and soldier, and spinning and weaving. Try your own hand at grinding corn, creating cordage, roping and ranching, and archeology.

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goliad

Promenade Park Amphitheater, 201 W. McIntyre St.

The annual Lighting of the Tree ceremony is a spectacularly visual ceremony with the city’s 30-foot, energy-efficient Christmas tree lit atop the grassy knoll by the amphitheater. The ceremony signifies the start of the holiday season, and all the of the city’s additional Christmas-themed displays along the downtown promenade are also lit.

cityofedinburg.com

Downtown Edinburg, North Closner Boulevard

Downtown Edinburg sparkles with a beautiful lighted parade full of brightly decorated floats. Santa stops by for a visit, and guests can expect live family entertainment, music, food booths, and games.

edinburg.com

Briscoe Western Arts Museum, 210 W. Market St.

Unwrap western fun and meet Cowboy Claus at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual Cowboy Christmas. This year’s Cowboy Christmas falls on the museum’s monthly Locals Day when the Briscoe greets locals with free general admission. Cowboy Christmas is also free, making the Briscoe the perfect way to enjoy holiday fun and make memories with your family.

briscoemuseum.org/christmas

Trinity University, Marguerite B. Parker Chapel, One Trinity Place

This non-denominational German Christmas celebration is open to everyone. It includes the telling of the Christmas story in German, using traditional scripture, Christmas poems, carols, and seasonal music. Sing “Stille Nacht,” and “O Tannenbaum,” in German, with words and music provided. The Beethoven Maennerchor and the San Antonio Liederkranz choirs perform. Arrive early to hear Dr. David Heller’s prelude on the magnificent chapel organ. The annual celebration is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Various locations

A Texas-sized party to say the least, Laredo’s annual Washington’s Birthday Celebration is the nation’s oldest and largest event honoring the first president of the United States. The party spans 38 days and features a myriad of festivities including the Jalapeño Festival, an incredible air show, lavish pageants depicting our country’s early history, carnivals, comedy shows, cultural ceremonies, and one of the country’s only true, international parades.

wbcalaredo.org

Edinburg Parks and Recreation Center, 315 E. Palm Drive

Join along for the annual All-America City David Chavana 10K Run/Walk, uniting over 5,000 participants. As Edinburg marks the 42nd year of this exhilarating event, the city invites all to celebrate the spirit of South Texas through the joy of running.

cityofedinburg.com

La Posada Hotel, 1000 Zaragoza St.

Perfect for fans of our flying feathered friends, the Laredo Birding Festival is a four-day event offering a variety of full-day, scenic trips for birders to take part in. Led by professional field guides, attendees have the opportunity to deepen their avian knowledge of South Texas and explore areas along Laredo’s riverfront, creek systems, nature trails, and private ranch land, some of which have never been birded before. With nearly 200 species of birds waiting to be spotted, birding enthusiasts fall in love with Laredo and the captivating world of avifauna that the city is home to.

laredobirdingfestival.org

Museum of South Texas History, 200 N. Closner Blvd.

The Museum of South Texas History is pleased to present Ranch Fest, a community event highlighting the culture of South Texas through regional folkway demonstrations ranging from hands-on activities to live performances.

mosthistory.org

El Metro Park and Ride , 1819 Hillside Road

Part of Laredo’s annual Washington’s Birthday Celebration, this two-day festival features live music, delicious fair foods, cold adult beverages, and of course, the one and only La Costeña Jalapeño Eating Contest, dubbed the hottest 15-minutes in South Texas.

jalapenofestival.org

Laredo International Airport—Maher Entrance, 5210 Bob Bullock Loop

One of the most popular events hosted during the Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo, the annual Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular offers a thrilling aviation show with a slew of amazing aerial maneuvers, static displays, awe-inspiring formations, and aircraft demonstrations.

thewbcaairshow.org