February 1 – The Gladys Porter Zoo will host its annual Winter Texan Discount Day. Winter Texans will receive a special discounted admission rate of only $8 with proof of out-of-state residence. For more information, contact the zoo at (956) 546-7187.

February 2-4 – Time to head to South Padre Island and watch kitefliers from all across the country as they 'tie one on' for a weekend filled with amazing kites and performances. The festival kicks off Thursday evening with the Indoor Kite Performances held at the SPI Convention Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the Indoor Kite Exhibition are $12 per person and can be purchased or reserved in advance at B&S Kites (956-761-1248). Tickets are not available at the door. The festival continues on Friday and Saturday (February 3rd and 4th) when the festival moves outdoors to the flats just north of the Convention Centre. Three teams are scheduled to perform at this year's event that will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about kite fest and sponsoring hotels, contact B&S Kites at (956) 761-1248, by email at spikitefest@hotmail.com, the website www.spikitefest.com, or visit SPI Kite Fest 2023 event page on Facebook.

February 2 – Mission Historical Museum will hold their 17th Annual Mission Quilt Show. An awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Admission is free, Light refreshments will be served. The quilts will be on exhibit through February 17th. The museum is located at 200 E. Tom Landry in Mission.

February 3-5 – The McAllen International Carfest will be held at the McAllen Convention Center There is a twelve dollar admission for seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office or ticketmaster.com. Call (956) 681-3800 for more information.

February 3-5 – The beloved Ballet Folklorico production of Alegria is back and better than ever, showcasing the rich heritage of Mexico and spectacular student performances. Concerts take place on Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex in Edinburg. Tickets will be available at the box office starting one hour before the event. Call (956) 665-3881 for ticket information.

February 3 – The Texas Adopt-A-Beach Winter Cleanups will be held at two locations on South Padre Island. For more information on where to register, visit TexasAdoptABeach.org.

February 4 – Live your healthiest life in 2023. Come join the Healthy Cooking, Healthy Heart Program at the McAllen Public Library located at 4100 N. 23rd St. from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program offers a set of three free interactive classes held by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. Classes target following the DASH Health Diet, grocery store shopping for healthy foods, and cooking with spices and herbs. Register by calling (956) 681-3000. The other classes will be held on February 11 and 18.

February 4-25 – The Hidalgo Watercolor Society will have their Annual Watercolor Exhibit with an opening reception on Saturday, February 4th from 7 to 9 p.m. This exhibit is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be displayed at the Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) at 921 E. 12th St., in Mission, and will run through February 25th. The exhibit features art made by Winter Texans and local artists. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

February 5 – MOSTH welcomes Russell K. Skowronek, Ph.D., and Roseann Bacha-Garza to present during the Sunday Speaker Series titled “Discovering the Rio Grande Valley: A UTRGV CHAPS Program Study of Farming Failies of Edinburg” at 2 p.m. The museum is located at 200 North Closner.

February 7 – The McAllen Wind Ensemble will perform “Superheroes” at the McAllen Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the ticketmaster website or at the center. A season pass to all four of their concerts is $40. Ticket prices usually range from $7 to $17.

February 8-10 – The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) will present a special screening of the 1979 western film She Came to the Valley. The film is based on the novel written by local author, Cleo Dawson. Her family was one of the first pioneer families who helped transform the frontier town of Mission into an incorporated city. It is said to be based on her mother’s experiences. The film was shot in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and Oklahoma. Showings will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. A copy of the novel will be given with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets are $5. Tickets must be purchased in advance. MHM is located at 900 Doherty Ave. Call (956) 580-8646 for more information.

February 10-11 – The 41st Annual Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show, presented by the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild, will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. There will be over 350 quilts on display, vendors, a bargain boutique, silent auction, demos and door prizes.

February 12 – The McAllen Public Library will hold their Sunday Book Club meeting to discuss The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom – Indentured servant Lavinia learns that violating the order of plantation society has dangerous consequences. Registration is required at mcallenlibrary.libnet.info/events. It will take place at 2 p.m.

February 13 – Dr. Jamie M. Staling is an associate professor in the history department at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. His teaching and research interests center on Texas and its borderlands, from the Spanish colonial period through the Civil War. He will present Slavery in the Spanish Colonial Borderlands of North America at the McAllen Public Library at 6 p.m.

February 17 – The Valley Symphony Orchestra presents Out of this World – from larger-than-life heroes to the music of the cosmos, prepare for expanded horizons at the musical event for the whole family. The event will take place at 8 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information, visit https://valleyorchestra.org/concerts/.

February 19 – Join the McAllen Public Library at 2 p.m. as they celebrate Black History Month with a showing and discussion of the film The Woman King (2022). Inspired by true historical events in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa. The discussion facilitator will be Dr. Deb Stark. The film is rated PG-13.

February 24-26 – SPI Market Days will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The market will feature fine art, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts, gourmet food mixes, product demos, pet items, live music and more. There will also be door prizes. Parking is free. Visit www.spimarketdays.com for more information.

March 24 – RGV favorite Mariachi Aztlan joins the Valley Symphony Orchestra for an evening of Latin-inspired works including selections from the opera Carmen for the Carmen Y Mas performance at 8 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Centers. For tickets and more information, visit https://valleyorchestra.org/concerts/.

April 2 – The McAllen Wind Ensemble will perform “Memories” at the McAllen Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on the ticketmaster website or at the center. A season pass to all four of their concerts is $40. Ticket prices usually range from $7 to $17.

April 21 – Star-crossed lovers and an all-star piano soloist converge on this season finale program West Side Story by the Valley Symphony Orchestra. It will be held at 8 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information, visit https://valleyorchestra.org/concerts/.