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Published: Friday, 12 December 2025 12:16
The McAllen Heritage Center, in partnership with Explore McAllen, proudly invites the community to celebrate the 5th Annual McGrinch Event, a joyful downtown tradition that brings the holiday spirit to life
Guests can shop from local vendors and artisans, enjoy delicious bites from food trucks, and participate in festive activities for all ages. Suerte Bar & Grill Food Truck will also be serving special Grinch-themed tacos and cozy hot chocolate. As downtown McAllen transforms into a cheerful, whimsical space, families, friends, and even beloved pets can gather for an afternoon filled with laughter, lights, and a touch of Grinchy mischief.
The event will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the McAllen Heritage Center, 301 S. Main St.
The event is a free, family-friendly and pet-friendly holiday celebration inspired by the playful spirit of the Grinch. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, festive holiday treats, local shopping, and plenty of fun activities for all ages. There will be countless opportunities to snap holiday photos throughout the event.
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Published: Thursday, 11 December 2025 14:38
The most wonderful time of the year is here, and the City of Weslaco and the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce invite you to celebrate the holidays at one of our community’s most beloved traditions, the 2025 Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade & Santa Dash 5K Fun Run!
Join us on Saturday, December 13, as the excitement kicks off with the Santa Dash 5K Fun Run at 5 p.m., followed immediately by the Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m., proudly presented by South Texas Health Systems.
Read more: Celebrate the magic of the season in Weslaco
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Published: Thursday, 11 December 2025 11:28
The Brownsville Society for Performing Arts presents their annual Christmas concert on Thursday, December 18. The concert, featuring Alium Spiritum and over 100 more musicians, will be performing Handel’s Messiah collections and more.
The concert will be held at 7 p.m. at the TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Ave. in Brownsville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Read more: BSPA presents annual Christmas concert
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Published: Thursday, 11 December 2025 08:58
Our Rio Grande Valley museums supply arts, history and culture to their visitors throughout the year. But during the Christmas season, they also share creativity and bright lights.
Several museums have Christmas tree exhibits. They get the community to bring and decorate a tree, usually to a certain theme. You can be sure to see lots of colors and lights as organizations pick a theme that represents them, the city, or their heritage.
Read more: Valley Museums share the spirit of the season
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 17:17
The RGV Annual Chanukah Concert and Festival will be held on Sunday, December 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Archer Park, 101 N. Main St. Open to all and free for the entire family.
Enjoy carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, games and more. There will be live music and a concert featuring Israeli rock star Barak Grossberg. You can also enjoy hearing from local dignitaries and having Sufganiot (jelly donuts) and kosher hot dogs.
Read more: Chabad RGV hosts Annual Chanukah Concert & Festival
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 17:16
Enjoy some wonderful Christmas music by attending the RGV Concert Band’s Christmas Concert. The concert will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1107 Fern (McAllen), on Sunday, December 14, at 3 p.m.
The RGV Concert Band is made up of local and Winter Texans. The group started in 1996 and some of their members are in their 80s and 90s. The current band director, a retired school band director, Gene Goede, is 91.
During the last 25 years the group has grown to as many as 65 members but usually stays at around 45 to 50 members. The membership includes Winter Texans from throughout the States and Canada. Most of the members have been with the group for several years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of it.
Read more: RGV Concert Band presents Christmas Concert
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 14:01
Light the World Giving Machines make giving easy and fun this Christmas.
Have you ever bought a goat from a vending machine? How about warm clothing for a child, groceries for a family, or job training for the underemployed?
From December 10th through January 1st, visitors at McAllen Food Park (10 N. Broadway St.) can purchase essential items like these from a Light the World Giving Machine to help those in need here in McAllen or throughout the world. This is the first time a Giving Machine will be hosted in McAllen.
Read more: Unique vending machines coming to McAllen
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Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 13:49
Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat. Please do put a penny in an old man's hat.
If not a penny, a half penny will do. If not a half penny, God bless you.
By the time you read this it will be approximately two weeks until Christmas. Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I always have a hard time shopping for the immediate family members. Will they like what I choose for them? And then the other problem is that what I would like to give them is never within my budget.
High on my list every year are two items that always seem to hit the spot. How about some Valley citrus fruit and some delicious tamales. Both of those items represent our wonderful Rio Grande Valley. And what could be better? Plus, in our family we have Christmas traditions. Christmas Eve means we all sit down together and a chosen one reads aloud Dickens Christmas Carol, or we all watch the movie. Then one - and only one gift - can be opened early on Christmas Eve. Dinner on Christmas Eve is always tamales and homemade chili.
In a previous story, probably last year, I made a mistake. I encouraged you to visit the Gelman stained glass museum and suggested you plan to spend plenty of time viewing the seventy-four stained glass windows all taken from churches in the northern Mid-West and Northern United States. Be prepared. There are not seventy-four beautiful stained-glass windows, there are a total of one hundred seventy-four windows. Allow at least two hours. Hopefully you will all be able to identify what scripture from the Bible is depicted in each window.
We have a multitude of first-class museums scattered across the Rio Grande Valley. Most of these fabulous museums tell the story of the history of the Rio Grande Valley from the pirates who raided the ships off the coast of South Padre to the cannibalistic Indians who made life miserable for the settlers from Europe who wanted to find a new home in this vast, fertile country in which we live. You can find plenty to entertain your guests that may be visiting our magical Rio Grande Valley not just in museums but at the Beach, a drive by of Space X or the flavors of nearby Mexico.
Have a BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS as you celebrate Christ's birthday.
McAllen, TX — The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) celebrated local creativity at the opening reception and awards ceremony for its 5th Annual Members’ Juried Art Show on November 22. The exhibition, featuring the work of IMAS members, runs through February 15, 2026.
If you love mariachi music, you will fall in love with the sounds of the all-female mariachi, Mariachi Mariposas.
