The El Paso area has 9 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Scherr Legate Lights Parade in El Paso on November 21 to WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso, which runs through January 3. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Texas, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 9 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in El Paso for 2026, in El Paso
- First: Scherr Legate Lights Parade, El Paso, November 21. Runs latest: WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, through January 3
- Free: Scherr Legate Lights Parade, WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza and Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Texas Christmas train rides page.
El Paso Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 9 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- El Paso
- Season
- November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Free events
- 3
- Kinds of events
- holiday show, holiday parade, holiday event and holiday lights
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each El Paso Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Scherr Legate Lights Parade in El Paso on November 21; the last runs to January 3. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Scherr Legate Lights ParadeEl Paso · Nov 21
- The Rink at WinterFestEl Paso · Nov 21 to Jan 3
- WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto PlazaEl Paso · Nov 21 to Jan 3
- UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly HolidayEl Paso · Nov 23 to Nov 24
- Christmas on BroadwayEl Paso · Dec 4 to Dec 5
- Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas!El Paso · Dec 17
- Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the GrinchEl Paso · Dec 19
- Cirque Musica Holiday WonderlandEl Paso · Dec 20
- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas BalletEl Paso · Dec 23 to Dec 24
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in El Paso? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
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Christmas events for kids in El Paso
9 confirmed events for kids in El Paso, soonest first.
El Paso: Scherr Legate Lights Parade
Holiday paradeFreeCity of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) · El Paso
- Host
- City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Downtown El Paso parade route, Downtown El Paso, near San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026, 6 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Scherr Legate Lights Parade kicks off the WinterFest season in downtown El Paso on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Opening Day activities start at 2 pm and the parade steps off at 6 pm, winding along a route of about one mile through the heart of downtown. The city describes more than 70 floats, marching bands, performers and walking twinklers, and says crowds of more than 68,000 people line the streets.
The parade is free to watch. It is part of WinterFest, which runs downtown from November 21 through January 3 with light displays, an ice rink and a holiday market. A parade route map and a parking and road closure map are posted on the WinterFest site. If you would rather stay home, the parade is also shown live on Telemundo 48, City TV and the City of El Paso YouTube channel starting at 5:30 pm.
Parent tip: Come early to claim a spot along the route, and check the parking and closure map on the WinterFest site before you drive downtown.
See dates and details from City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)El Paso: The Rink at WinterFest
Holiday eventCity of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) · El Paso
- Host
- City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Convention Center Plaza, 1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (daily, hours vary)
- Cost
- $12.50 to skate; free to watch
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Rink at WinterFest sets up on the Convention Center Plaza in downtown El Paso for the full WinterFest season, November 21 through January 3. General admission to skate is $12.50 for all ages, and it is free to watch. On regular weeks the rink is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 pm, Fridays 5 to 11 pm, Saturdays noon to 11 pm and Sundays noon to 10 pm, with longer afternoon hours during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks.
Every Monday from 5 to 6 pm the rink offers a sensory hour with a calm and comfortable environment. Make-a-Memory Mondays offer a family four-pack of skating tickets for $40, and Wednesday guests in ugly sweaters get $2 off. The rink is a cashless facility, so bring a debit or credit card.
Parent tip: The rink is cashless; the family four-pack on Mondays is $40, and the 5 to 6 pm Monday sensory hour is quieter for young skaters.
See dates and details from City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)El Paso: WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza
Holiday lightsFreeCity of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) · El Paso
- Host
- City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (nightly), 5 to 11 pm
- Cost
- Free admission; some attractions extra
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
WinterFest transforms downtown El Paso into a holiday destination from November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. The city says the festival features more than one million lights, festive entertainment, holiday treats, an outdoor ice skating rink, a holiday market and the city's only illuminated parade. The lights at San Jacinto Plaza are on from 5 pm to 11 pm daily during the season.
Admission to the festival grounds is free, while the rink and some other attractions charge separately. A quieter option is the light display at Cleveland Square Park, next to the El Paso Museum of History, where the trees glow around a big musical tree. The WinterFest site also lists free holiday movies and weekend performances during the season, with 2026 programming still being posted, so it is worth checking before you go.
Parent tip: Cleveland Square Park offers a calmer spot to see lights if the plaza is crowded; a footprint and parking map is posted on the WinterFest site.
See dates and details from City of El Paso Parks and Recreation (WinterFest) (opens in a new tab)El Paso: UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly Holiday
Holiday showUTEP Department of Music · El Paso
- Host
- UTEP Department of Music (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968
- When
- Mon November 23 and Tue November 24, 2026, 7:30 to 9 pm
- Cost
- $5 adults, $3 students and military
- Ages
- Family-friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday Revels is one of the most popular offerings from UTEP's Department of Music. The Singing Miners, Cantare, Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers perform along with guest artists, singing much-loved holiday songs from around the world.
The concert runs from 7:30 to 9 pm on Monday, Nov 23 and Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026, at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall on the UTEP campus. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and military, and it is free for UTEP faculty, students and staff. Refreshments and special music are offered in the lobby starting at 6:30 pm, which gives families a relaxed way to settle in before the show. The listing is marked family-friendly, and the ticket price makes it an easy first holiday concert for children.
Parent tip: Arrive by 6:30 pm for lobby music and refreshments. It is a school night, so older kids may enjoy it most.
See dates and details from UTEP Department of Music (opens in a new tab)El Paso: Christmas on Broadway
Holiday showEl Paso Symphony Orchestra · El Paso
- Host
- El Paso Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Plaza Theatre, 125 Pioneer Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Fri December 4 and Sat December 5, 2026, 7:30 pm
- Cost
- $17 to $49
- Ages
- Family concert
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas on Broadway is the El Paso Symphony Orchestra's holiday family concert, performed twice at the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso. Conductor Bohuslav Rattay leads the orchestra with a soprano soloist and the UTEP Choral Union in a program described as a festive walk down Broadway.
Shows are Friday, Dec 4 and Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, at 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $17 to $49 and are sold through the symphony. A short pre-concert talk called Opening Notes starts at 6:30 pm in the Philanthropy Theatre for anyone who wants to arrive early. The Plaza Theatre enforces a clear bag policy, so plan ahead if you carry diaper bags or backpacks. An evening start works best for older children who can sit through a full orchestral program.
Parent tip: Check the clear bag policy before you leave home. Arrive early for parking in the downtown theater district.
See dates and details from El Paso Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)El Paso: Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Holiday story timeFreeEl Paso Public Library · El Paso
- Host
- El Paso Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Chamizal Express Library, 2119 Cypress Ave, El Paso, TX 79905
- When
- Thursday, December 17, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Chamizal branch of the El Paso Public Library hosts a storytime and movie evening on Thursday, December 17, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Staff will read the Dr. Seuss classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas, then show the movie. Popcorn and movie props are offered while supplies last, and everyone votes at the end to decide whether the book or the movie was better.
The event is described in both English and Spanish, making it a good fit for bilingual families. It is free and listed as wheelchair accessible. The Chamizal Express Library is a smaller branch, so arriving a little early is a good idea if you want seats together. This is one of the few December library events already posted on the city calendar, so check back for more holiday programs as the season approaches.
Parent tip: Popcorn and props are available while supplies last, so arrive close to the start time.
See dates and details from El Paso Public Library (opens in a new tab)El Paso: Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch
Breakfast with SantaTerry's Heart Foundation · El Paso
- Host
- Terry's Heart Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- 302 Venue by Soiree Loft, 1212 N Yarbrough Dr #302, El Paso, TX 79925
- When
- Saturday, December 19, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
- Cost
- Tickets required; limited capacity
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Terry's Heart Foundation hosts this Christmas brunch on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm at the 302 Venue by Soiree Loft on North Yarbrough. It is a sit-down event, not a train ride. The idea is to skip long photo lines: children get time to meet, interact and play with Santa and the Grinch, and each family can take home a free 4x6 keepsake photo with either or both.
Each eligible child receives a Christmas gift. The brunch includes breakfast appetizers and a choice of main courses, plus a hot cocoa and coffee bar and juices. Kids can watch Christmas movies, write letters to Santa and do activities, and there are local vendors and door prize drawings. Families are invited to come in holiday outfits or festive pajamas. The organizers say capacity is limited, so book early.
Parent tip: Festive pajamas are welcome, and tickets are limited, so reserve ahead rather than planning to walk in.
See dates and details from Terry's Heart Foundation (opens in a new tab)El Paso: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Holiday showCirque Musica (listed by Destination El Paso) · El Paso
- Host
- Cirque Musica (listed by Destination El Paso) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Abraham Chavez Theatre, 1 Civic Center Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Sunday, December 20, 2026, 5 pm
- Cost
- Tickets required
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland comes to the Abraham Chavez Theatre in downtown El Paso on December 20, 2026, at 5 pm. The story follows a group of heroes transported into a winter wonderland where they grow younger with each daring act and rediscover the joy and imagination of the holidays.
The brand new production blends circus artistry with holiday music, including acrobatics, aerial performances and high-energy stunts, and it is promoted as a holiday experience for the whole family. Tickets are sold through the venue box office, which can be reached at 915.231.1100. Ticket prices are not listed on the Destination El Paso calendar, so check before you buy. The theater is part of the Civic Center complex next to the WinterFest ice rink, so it is easy to pair the show with an evening stroll through the downtown lights.
Parent tip: Call the box office at 915.231.1100 with seating questions; the WinterFest lights and rink are steps away.
See dates and details from Cirque Musica (listed by Destination El Paso) (opens in a new tab)El Paso: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Holiday showNUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet (listed by Destination El Paso) · El Paso
- Host
- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet (listed by Destination El Paso) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Plaza Theatre, 125 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
- When
- Wed December 23 (3 to 7 pm) and Thu December 24 (noon), 2026
- Cost
- Tickets required
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The touring Nutcracker production called Magical Christmas Ballet stops at the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso with three performances: Wednesday, December 23, 2026, at 3 pm and 7 pm, and Thursday, December 24, at noon. The production bills itself as the largest Nutcracker in North America, featuring international dancers, acrobatics, elaborate costumes and towering puppets, all set to Tchaikovsky's score.
The matinee and Christmas Eve noon show are handy picks for families with younger children who may not last through an evening performance. Tickets are sold through nutcracker.com, and the venue box office can be reached at 915.231.1100. Ticket prices are not listed on the Destination El Paso calendar. The Plaza Theatre sits right by San Jacinto Plaza, so families can walk over to the WinterFest lights after the 3 pm show as it gets dark.
Parent tip: The 3 pm and noon shows are the easiest for little ones; the WinterFest lights are a short walk from the theater.
See dates and details from NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet (listed by Destination El Paso) (opens in a new tab)Looking further afield? Our Texas Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Arlington, TX, Plano, Corpus Christi, Waco and Midland. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonEl Paso Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in El Paso in 2026?
We confirmed 9 Christmas events for kids in El Paso for 2026 on each host’s own page: Scherr Legate Lights Parade in El Paso (November 21), The Rink at WinterFest in El Paso (November 21), WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso (November 21), UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly Holiday in El Paso (November 23), Christmas on Broadway in El Paso (December 4), Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! in El Paso (December 17), Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch in El Paso (December 19), Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland in El Paso (December 20) and NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet in El Paso (December 23). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in El Paso, Texas?
For families in and around El Paso, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Scherr Legate Lights Parade (Sat, Nov 21, parade at 6 pm, free); The Rink at WinterFest (Daily, Nov 21 to Jan 3; sensory hour Mondays 5 to 6 pm, $12.50 to skate; free to watch); WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (Nightly, Nov 21 to Jan 3, 5 to 11 pm, free admission; some attractions extra); UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly Holiday (Mon and Tue, Nov 23 and 24, 7:30 to 9 pm, $5 adults, $3 students and military); Christmas on Broadway (Fri and Sat, Dec 4 and 5, 7:30 pm, $17 to $49); Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Thu, Dec 17, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, free); Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch (Sat, Dec 19, 10 am to 2 pm, tickets required; limited capacity); Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland (Sun, Dec 20, 5 pm, tickets required); NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet (Wed, Dec 23, 3 pm and 7 pm; Thu, Dec 24, noon, tickets required). Details and the host’s link for each are in the El Paso section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in El Paso?
Yes. 3 of the 9 events here are free: Scherr Legate Lights Parade in El Paso, WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso and Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! in El Paso. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in El Paso this December?
Santa appears at Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch in El Paso (December 19). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in El Paso?
Holiday story times on this page: Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! in El Paso. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Where can we have breakfast or a meal with Santa in El Paso?
Meals with Santa confirmed for 2026: Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch in El Paso (Sat, Dec 19, 10 am to 2 pm). These usually sell out, so book as soon as you pick a date.
Are there kids' Christmas events in El Paso on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: The Rink at WinterFest in El Paso (through January 3), WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso (through January 3) and NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet in El Paso (through December 24).
How much is Scherr Legate Lights Parade in El Paso?
Free. Scherr Legate Lights Parade is on Saturday, November 21, 2026, 6 pm at Downtown El Paso parade route. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is The Rink at WinterFest in El Paso?
$12.50 to skate; free to watch. The Rink at WinterFest is on Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (daily, hours vary) at Convention Center Plaza. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso?
Free admission; some attractions extra. WinterFest Lights at San Jacinto Plaza is on Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 (nightly), 5 to 11 pm at San Jacinto Plaza. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly Holiday in El Paso?
$5 adults, $3 students and military. UTEP Choirs Holiday Revels: Holly Jolly Holiday is on Mon November 23 and Tue November 24, 2026, 7:30 to 9 pm at Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Christmas on Broadway in El Paso?
$17 to $49. Christmas on Broadway is on Fri December 4 and Sat December 5, 2026, 7:30 pm at Plaza Theatre. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! in El Paso?
Free. Which Was Better? / ¿Cuál fue mejor? How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is on Thursday, December 17, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Chamizal Express Library. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch in El Paso?
Tickets required; limited capacity. Polar Express Christmas Brunch Experience with Santa and the Grinch is on Saturday, December 19, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm at 302 Venue by Soiree Loft. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland in El Paso?
Tickets required. Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is on Sunday, December 20, 2026, 5 pm at Abraham Chavez Theatre. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet in El Paso?
Tickets required. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is on Wed December 23 (3 to 7 pm) and Thu December 24 (noon), 2026 at Plaza Theatre. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in El Paso?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our El Paso Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
