The holiday season is upon us, and from holiday parades to the lighting of Christmas trees, there is something for everyone to take part in.
The City of Brownsville, Edinburg and McAllen will host numerous family-friendly events.
Kicking off the holiday season, the City of Brownsville will host its second annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at La Plaza Terminal, located at 755 International Blvd.
Manuel Chacon, communications and marketing director for the City of Brownsville, said the city will host numerous events that are catered for the holiday season.
“We are obviously creating these events for our community so that everyone can come together and enjoy this moment of unity, embracing family, embracing culture,” Chacon said. “And obviously, we want people to enjoy being with each other, after the last couple of years, where so many people were separated during the holidays because of the pandemic.”
He said there will be local high schools, elementary schools and middle schools participating in their Christmas tree lighting events.
“In some instances, there will be games and there will also be local vendors,” Chacon said. “They will have arts and crafts for sale. There is going to be a lot of food, so we want people to come out to … have a good time with their families and with their friends. … We as a city … host these events in efforts that people will come together and … unite as one city.”
The City of Brownsville will host a Winter Wonderland from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday with the Christmas Tree Lighting at Washington Park, located at 700 E. Madison St.
Chacon said Winter Wonderland has the largest number of vendors already registered for the event.
“There will be the opportunity for people to shop to buy gifts for their friends, for their kids, for the family members,” he said. “ … There’s going to be a lot of different activities happening at the Washington Park tree lighting.”
The same day, Edinburg is going to start its holiday season with the Lighting of the Tree ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Promenade Park Amphitheater located at 201 W. McIntyre St. Attendees will enjoy music performances, carolers and dance presentations.
After the lighting of the tree, the City of Edinburg will host a Christmas market. Vendors will have Christmas gifts and decor for sale. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a snow slide.
“The Christmas market is going to be both days on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” said Magdiel Castle, assistant director of cultural arts for the City of Edinburg. “We will have pictures with Santa on Nov. 30. … And then, on Dec. 1 Santa will be there after the [Night of Lights Parade].”
Asked what will be different from past years, Castle said the city is incorporating a snow slide.
“This year we are having a snow slide, which we didn’t have last year,” he said. “It will actually only be available on Nov. 30.”
The following day, the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will host its Night of Lights Parade at 7 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium located at 1800 S. Stadium Dr.
The parade route will follow Closner Boulevard from the corner of Mark S. Pena Drive and end at West McIntyre Street. Attendees can set up chairs along the road, according to a news release by Roxanne Lerma, the director of communications and media for the City of Edinburg.
Brownsville’s 71st annual Christmas Parade hosted by the Charro Days Fiesta Association will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday on East Elizabeth Street. Attendees are recommended to arrive early to secure a spot.
McAllen will host Christmas in the Park with food, artisan vendors and more from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday in the McAllen Municipal Park, located at 1921 Bicentennial Blvd.
The 10th annual McAllen Holiday Parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday in the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium and head south on Bicentennial Boulevard toward Business 83. For a better view, attendees can purchase their stadium tickets on www.mcallenholidayparade.com. For free seating, attendees can sit along the parade route.
The university mascot, marching band and drill team will participate during the McAllen Holiday Parade.
Football head coach Travis Bush was named as the Grand Marshal during a Monday news conference for the parade at the Rio Bank-Corporate Banking Center.
“This comes as a shock, but it’s definitely humbling,” Bush said. “Thank you to the City of McAllen and the committee for allowing UTRGV to be a big part of this parade.”
UTRGV President Guy Bailey also unveiled the winner for the 2023 Holiday Card Contest during the news conference.
Cyber security junior Maritza Flores placed first in the President’s category and received a $1,000 scholarship in the 2023 Holiday Card Contest. The design showcases the UTRGV float and balloon in the McAllen Holiday Parade.
Flores told The Rider she spent half a week designing her card.
She was one of the 2022 provost runners-up and received a $500 scholarship in the Holiday Card Contest.
UTRGV will kick off their on-campus events for students starting with the Winter Ball hosted by the Center for Student Involvement. The Winter Ball is an event open for student organizations, and will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday in the Ballroom on the Edinburg campus. Student organization members and graduating seniors will be honored during the Winter Ball. Formal attire is encouraged.
The Student Union will host a Breakfast Wrangler where students will receive free food and play games for prizes from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 in the Student Union on the Brownsville campus and at the same time Dec. 6 in the Student Union on the Edinburg campus. A UTRGV student ID is required.
The Campus Activities Board will host CAB Holiday Village from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 on the Student Union Lawn on the Edinburg campus and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 on the Student Union Lawn on the Brownsville campus. Students will enjoy free food, holiday inspired activities, pictures with Santa and more.
The Student Union will host free holiday gift wrapping while supplies last from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Student Union Commons on the Edinburg campus and in the Student Union on the Brownsville campus.
Chacon invites residents from Brownsville and surrounding communities on behalf of Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. and City Manager Helen Ramirez “to engage in these beautiful Christmas events that the city is hosting.”
“We want them to come out and do a little Christmas shopping and enjoy some good local treats for the Christmas holiday,” he said. “And this is a great opportunity for everyone to gather with friends and also get to know more people and just enjoy some of the local attractions that the City of Brownsville has to offer.”
