ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN CAMERON COUNTY
JANUARY
Elvis Winter Festival – Los Fresnos – 701 Ocean Blvd. 956-233-5482 -Elvis fans get ready. The annual Elvis Festival at Little Graceland is held every January. Elvis was born January 8, 1935 and the festival is held each year on the Saturday closest to his birthday. Los Fresnos Chamber of Commerce
FEBRUARY
Air Fiesta – Brownsville – Commemorative Air Force Museum – (956) 541-8585 Air Fiesta
Charro Days Fiesta – Brownsville – (956) 542-4245. Seven day bi-national festival. Born to lift community spirits during difficult times of the depression era. - Brownsville
Sombrero Festival – Brownsville – During Charro Days. (956) 550-9682. Brownsville
MARCH
Ocelot Conservation Festival – Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge – (956) 748-3607 – friendsofsouthtexasrefuges.org
SEPTEMBER
Freddie Gomez Memorial Conjunto Concert – Brownsville – (956)-545-8446 – Conjunto.org
OCTOBER
Brownsville Beer Fest - Brownsville – Brownsvillebeerfest.com
Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival - Inaugurated in 1997 by the late great “King of Latin Music” Tito Puente, the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival has presented dozens of artists of the highest caliber. Many consider it the Latin Jazz Festival of Texas and one of the best in the country. It’s well regarded as a small festival that has preserved its quality, authenticity and identity for nearly two decades. Artsinbrownsville.org/jazz.html
Sandcastle Days – South Padre Island, Texas. October - Sandcastledays.com
NOVEMBER
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival – Harlingen, Texas. November - rgvbf.org
ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN HIDALGO COUNTY
JANUARY
Texas Citrus Fiesta – Mission – January - 956-585-9724 – Texascitrusfiesta.org
FEBRUARY
Fiesta Edinburg – Edinburg, Texas. February - Edinburg.com/fiesta.html
MARCH
Border Fest – Hidalgo, Texas. - http://www.hidalgoborderfest.com/
RGV Livestock Show and Rodeo – Mercedes - March - Livestock Show & Rodeo
APRIL
Friendship Festival – Alamo – Alamo Resurrection Catholic Church - 219 N 9th St. - (956) 787-2963
Onion Fest – Weslaco – The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco. The name of the 1015 onion came from the suggested planting date, October 15. Texas Onion Fest is sponsored by the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce. The festivities include live entertainment on two stages, the exciting Onion Eating Contest, delicious food, commercial booths, kiddie rides and games at the Kids Zone. Mayor Pablo Pena City Park, 300 N. Airport - (956) 968-2102 – Weslaco.com
MAY
Watermelon Festival – Alamo - City of Alamo Square on Main Street. – 956-787-6699 - Alamochamber.com
OCTOBER
Palm Fest International Folk Life Celebration – McAllen – 700 Convention Center - 956- 681-3800 - Palmfest.com
NOVEMBER
Texas Butterfly Festival – Mission – Hosted by the National Butterfly Center. (956) 583-5400 – National Butterfly Center
ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN WILLACY COUNTY
OCTOBER
Wild in Willacy Nature & Heritage Festival – Raymondville – Great opportunity to go beyond the gates of some otherwise inaccessible ranches. (956) 689-1864. Wildinwillacy.com
ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN STARR COUNTY
OCTOBER
Roma Fest – Roma – (956) 849-1411 – City of Roma
ART & EDUCATIONAL FAIRS IN CAMERON COUNTY
Conjunto Nites at the Chicho – San Benito – Third Thursday of the month – Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center – 225 E. Stenger - (956) 244-0373
Harlingen Art Night – Harlingen – Downtown Jackson Street – Year Round – Last Friday of every month. Art Night
Market Days Harlingen – First Saturday of every month. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jackson Street Market Days
San Benito Market Days – San Benito – 2nd Saturday of the month – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.- 956-361-3800 – City of San Benito
SPI Art Space – South Padre Island – 1817 Padre Blvd. Suite #1 - (956) 761-2112 - SPI Art Space
SPI – El Paseo Arts Foundation – Elpaseosouthpadre.com
MARCH
International Art Show - Brownsville - Museum of Fine Arts (956) 542-0941 - BMFA
Texas Independence Celebration – San Benito – 956-367-3155 - www.happybirthdaytexas.com
MAY
Battle of Palo Alto Anniversary - Brownsville – Palo Alto National Historical Park (956) 541-2782 - On May 8, 1846, United States and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the site of this notable battle and provides an understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of the U.S.-Mexican War. Palo Alto Battlefield
Blues on the Hill - Harlingen – McKelvey Park – Mother’s Day Weekend, Father’s Day Weekend and third weekend in August. Blues on the Hill Harlingen
JULY
Beachcomber Art Show & Sale – South Padre Island – Convention Center - Beachcombers Art Show
SEPTEMBER
Living History at Palo Alto Battle Field - Brownsville - September through May - (956) 541-2785 - Palo Alto Battlefield Events
Mexican Independence Celebration – Harlingen – Visitharlingentexas.com – (956) 423-5440
OCTOBER
Rio Grande Delta International Archaelogy Fair - Brownsville Palo Alto Battlefield - (956) 541-2785 - Palo Alto Battlefield
NOVEMBER
Jammin’ on Jackson Street – Harlingen - (956) 216-4910 – November through March - Downtown Harlingen
ART & EDUCATIONAL FAIRS IN HIDALGO COUNTY
Alfresco Weslaco –Weslaco – Every third Thursday of the month – South Texas Blvd. – 956-969-0838 - Alfresco Weslaco
Jardin del Arte – Edinburg – 1906 Closner Blvd. – 956-383-6246 – Edinburg Arts
McAllen Art Walk – McAllen – Every 1st Friday of the month – 956-682-2871
Music After Hours Craft Fair – McAllen - Music After Hours is held every first Friday of every month from September through May at Archer Park - 101 N Broadway -the oldest park in the city of McAllen. It is a free event which is family and pet friendly. McAllen
Tipsy Canvas – 956-278-3681 – Tipsy Canvas
McAllen Stained Glass – 956-687-8682 – Mcallen Stained Glass
Nature Speaker Series – McAllen – Quinta Mazatlán - Explore nature with great speakers discussing topics from birds and butterflies to culture and art of the Rio Grande Valley. Thursday Nights 6:00- 7:00 P.M. 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen. (956) 681-3370.Quinta Mazatlan
Food Park Unplugged – McAllen - Every 3rd Friday at McAllen Food Park, located at 10 N. Broadway. Enjoy live music by talented local artists from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. - McAllen
FEBRUARY
Noche de Arte – Weslaco – 301 S. Border Ave. – 956-969-2475 – Valley Nature Center
Rio Grande Valley Coastal Expo – Edinburg – Edinburg Scenic Wetlands – Coastal Expo is a fun, family-oriented event with activities for all ages! Visitors see and touch crabs, sea stars, and other coastal animals; view a glass-bottom stream; solve a mysterious fish kill; learn what washes up on the Texas coast; fish for live catfish; and participate in other great activities. In the process, they learn about Texas coastal ecosystems, why they are important, and how to protect them.
OCTOBER
Annual Haunted Trails – Weslaco – Valley Nature Center – 301 South Border Ave -956-969-2475 – Valley Nature Center
NOVEMBER
Brew in the Woods – Weslaco - 301 S. Border Ave – 956-969-2475 – Valley Nature Center
DECEMBER
Night of Lights – Edinburg - Edinburg.com/nightoflights.html
ART & EDUCATIONAL FAIRS IN WILLACY COUNTY
Willacy County Art League – 427 S. 7th Street – 956-689-6604 – Willacycoartleague.com
ANNUAL EVENTS IN CAMERON COUNTY
JANUARY
Taste of La Frontera – Brownsville – January – 956-459-1467 – Brownsville.org
Polar Bear Dip or Penguin Plunge – South Padre Island – January 1st - (956) 761-4412
Winter Texan Appreciation Fiesta – Harlingen – January – Casa de Amistad. (956) 423-5440 – myharlingen.us
FEBRUARY
Iwo Jima Parade – Harlingen – Marine Military Academy – February – 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. - 956.423.6006 MMA-TX.org
Jalapeno 100 – Harlingen – February – (956) 423-3168 – Jalapeno100.com
Los Fresnos Livestock Show & Rodeo – Los Fresnos - February – (956) 233-4488 LosFresnosChamber.com -
Miss South Texas Senior America Pageant – Harlingen Municipal Auditorium –
MARCH
Texas Heritage & Independence Celebration & Cultural POW WOW– San Benito – March – 956-367-3155 - HappyBirthdayTexas.com -
Vietnam War Parade – Harlingen – Marine Military Academy – March – 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. 956-423-6006 – MMA-TX.org
APRIL
Oblate Trail Bike Ride – Brownsville to Mission – April - The routes follow the historic Oblate Trail Ride along Old Military Highway with both routes ending at the historical La Lomita Park. (facebook logo)
MAY
Freddy Fender Humanitarian Awards – Cameron County – 956-399-7918 Freddyfenderawards.com
JUNE
Summer Safari – Brownsville Gladys Porter Zoo – June – August - 956-546-7187 – gpz.org
JULY
Fourth of July events happen all over the Rio Grande Valley
AUGUST
Ladies Kingfish Tournament – South Padre Island – SPIChamber.com
Texas International Fishing Tournament – South Padre Island – Tift.org
OCTOBER
Boo at the Zoo – Brownsville – Gladys Porter Zoo – (956)546-7187 – gpz.org
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center Conjunto Festival – San Benito – October – 225 Stenger – (956) 244-0373 – (facebook logo)
Taste of Harlingen – Harlingen - Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum - Tasteofharlingen.com
Sandcastle Days – South Padre Island – Clayton’s Beach Bar & Grill - 6900 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island - (956) 761-5900 Sandcastledays.com
Zoofari – Brownsville Gladys Porter Zoo – October – 956-546-7187 – gpz.org
NOVEMBER
Veterans Day Parade – Harlingen – Marine Military Academy – 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. – 956-423-6006 – MMA-TX.org
Memorial Illumination – Brownsville – Resaca de la Palma Battlefield– 1024 Paredes Line Rd. - (956) 541-2785 - nps.gov/paal/
DECEMBER
Brownsville Christmas Parade – Brownsville – December – 956-542-4245
Christmas Lighted Boat Parade – Port Isabel – 1st Saturday in December - (956) 943-2262 portisabelchamber.com.
Dear Santa – Brownsville Children’s Museum – 956-548-9300
Harlingen Christmas Parade - Harlingen - DowntownHarlingen.com
Holiday Village – Brownsville – Dean Porter Park – 956-542-2064 - Holidayvillagebrownsville.com/
La Feria Lighted Christmas Parade – 956-797-2261 – Cityoflaferia.com
Zoo Nights & Lights – Brownsville Gladys Porter Zoo – 956-546-7187 – gpz.org
ANNUAL EVENTS IN HIDALGO COUNTY
JANUARY
McAllen International Car Fest – McAllen Convention Center – 956-681-3800 -http://mcallencarfest.com/
The Golden Age Olympics – McAllen - January - An Olympic-style event for participants age 50 and over. The competition features individual events in a number of categories, including card games, athletics and recreation. It began in 1983 with three events and currently offers over 30. Contact McAllen Parks & Recreation (956) 681-3333. www.mcallen.net/parks-recreation/
Wellness & Adventure Expo– McAllen Convention Center – January – (956) 682-2871. Internationaltravelshow.com
Winter Texan Expo – McAllen Convention Center – January - Wintertexanexpo.com
FEBRUARY
Dia del Turista – Tourist Appreciation Day – Nuevo Progreso Mexico – For info call Weslaco Chamber at 956-968-2102 - weslaco.com
MARCH
Mission Winter Texan Festival – Mission – 202 W. Tom Landry – 956-585-2727 – MissionChamber.com
RGV Livestock Show and Rodeo – Mercedes - March - rgvls.com
Taste McAllen – McAllen - Mcallen
APRIL
RGV Home & Garden Show – McAllen – April – Convention Center – 956-686-3718 – Rgvhomeshow.com
Sizzling in the Tropics – McAllen – April - 956-682-2871 – McAllen
JUNE
Home Buyer’s Fair – McAllen – June – 956-687-6263 – McAllen
McAllen Blues Night – McAllen – June – 956-682-2871 – McAllen
Movies in the Park – McAllen – June & July -1000 S. Ware Rd. - 956-681-3333
Taste of the Valley – Pharr – 3000 N Cage - 956-402-4500 - event.pharr-tx.gov
JULY
Texas Hunters & Sportsman Expo – McAllen – July – 956-664-2884 – McAllen
AUGUST
Annual Kids Fishing Derby – McAllen – August – 956-681-1000
SEPTEMBER
Border Bash – Mercedes – September - Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds -1000 N Texas Ave heatwaveshow.com -
Business Expo – McAllen – September – 956-682-2871 – McAllen
DECEMBER
All About Women; A Christmas Affair – Mcallen – December – 956-682-2871 – McAllen
McAllen Holiday Parade – McAllen - 1st full weekend in December - Mcallenholidayparade.com
Christmas in the Park in Celebration of Tamale Fest & Candlelight Posada. McAllen – December -Mcallenholidayparade.com/chrismasinthepark.html
Night of Lights – Edinburg – 956-383-4979 – Edinburg.com
Welcome Home Winter Texans – Mission - 202 W Tom Landry St. - 956- 585-2727 – MissionChamber.com
Palmview Christmas Posada – Palmview – 956-432-0300 – 400 W. Veterans Blvd. - (956) 862-3257 – (facebook logo)
Mid Valley Christmas Parade – Weslaco – 956-0838 – WeslacoEDC.com
Hidalgo Festival of Lights and Posada – Hidalgo – December all month - 704 E Texano Dr.- 956.843.2286 - hidfol.com
Ice Palace – Hidalgo – Festival of Lights – December all month – 704 E. Texano Dr. – 956-843-2286 – hidfol.com
Pharr Christmas Fiesta – Pharr – 118 S. Cage Blvd.- (956) 402-4000 - Pharr-tx.gov/
ANNUAL EVENTS IN STARR COUNTY
Starr County Youth Fair – Rio Grande City - February - Starrcountyyouthfair.com
ANNUAL EVENTS IN WILLACY COUNTY
Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament – Port Mansfield – July - 956-944-2354 – PortMansfieldChamber.org