Friday, January 24^th

The McAllen International CarFest

This weekend, the McAllen International CarFest will be held at the McAllen Convention Center! Come see over 300 classic rides, hot rods, and custom cars. Adult tickets are $15, $12 for senior citizens and students ages 13 to 18, and kids under 12 enter free! Tickets are available at the convention center box office as well as online.

Food Park Karaoke Night 

Tonight, stop by the McAllen Food Park for Karaoke Night from 8:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Enjoy dishes from a variety of food trucks. Plus, check out the selection of arts and crafts for sale from local vendors.

Saturday, January 25^th

Birding Our Backyard

To all bird watchers and nature lovers! Enjoy this guided walk at the Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center! Come see amazing birds in their natural habitat during this tour from 8:30 AM until 10:00 AM. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for kids and senior citizens.

McAllen Farmers Market

The McAllen Farmers Market is back! Come by and shop for locally grown produce, handcrafted jewelry, and health and beauty products from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the McAllen Public Library.

Educator Open House

Educators of the Rio Grande Valley, you’re invited to the Educator Open House from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at the IMAS. Learn about outreach programs, field trips, and museum exhibits. At 2:00 PM, guest speaker Dr. Bradley Warfield of UTRGV will be presenting “Why We’re Often So Bad at Talking to Each Other Online.”

Pokémon Go PVP Tournament

The McAllen Public Library and the McAllen Convention Center will be hosting the Fusion Cup where a player vs. player Pokémon tournament will start at 3:00 PM. This tournament is open to all ages and is free of charge. Come and show off your skills and prove you’re the best!

Drag Centennial

Drag Centennial will be at Cine El Rey from 9:00 PM until 2:00 AM. It’s the first drag queen show of the year featuring tons of live acts and special guests! Admission is $7 before 10:00 PM and $10 afterward.

Sunday, January 26^th

Animal Sculptures Art Workshop

Discover the world of 3D art and sculpting techniques at the IMAS. Create one-of-a-kind animal figurines using air-dry clay. This workshop lasts from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM and is $10 per participant.

Let’s Have Fun, Explorers!

If you happen to attend one of these events, be sure to tag us for the chance to be shared on one of our social media accounts below! Have fun, Explorers!

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Get into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events happening this weekend! Look for the ugliest sweater and party with your friends at the many ugly sweater parties happening in McAllen, Join Bike McAllen’s 2^nd Annual Lite Up Your Ride Social on Saturday, and shop for original artwork during the Christmas Art Bazaar at Brewsome on Sunday. Read on for more things to do in McAllen this weekend!

Friday, December 20^th

• Join Storytime with The Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors at the McAllen Public Library beginning at 2:00 PM.
• Make time for the Holly Jolly Holiday Party at Dental Park for music, food, games, prizes, and more. This event will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
• Sip, mingle, and shop during Blooms & Bubbly at Southern Roots Flower Market from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
• Visit Winter Wonderland at Metro by T-Mobile located at 228 W. Trenton Ste. 300 for free food, toys, and pictures with Santa Claus. While supplies last. This event will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
• Sara’s Hope 7^th Annual Toy Drive will be held at Pepper’s at Uptown from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM. This toy drive will benefit Rio Grande Valley kids battling life-threatening diseases. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate, compete in the Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, and more!
• Ugly Sweater Dance Party with DJ Robert Ceballos will be held at Austin Street Bar beginning at 7:00 PM.
• The McAllen Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert will be held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center beginning at 7:30 PM. To purchase your tickets online, please click here.
• Winter Beats featuring Laidback Luke will be held at The Landmark beginning at 7:30 PM. There will be a Winter Wonderland-themed fashion show with dance acts and performances leading up to an appearance by world-renowned producer Laidback Luke.
• 80’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party will be held at Deloreans beginning at 8:00 PM.
• Wrestling Revolution: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas will be held at Cine El Rey from 8:30 PM until 10:30 PM. There is a $5 general admission at the door.
• E.A. Presents: Mourning Sun at Yerberia Cultura beginning at 9:00 PM. Listen to live music, shop from local vendors and artists, and enjoy some good food.
• Bar Humbug Santa Hat Crawl is happening from 10:00 PM until 2:00 AM and will be held at:
  • Suerte Bar and Grill located at 301 S. 17^th

• • Thirsty Monkey located at 1613 Chicago Ave.
  • Parlor Room located at 308 S. 17^th St.
  • Love Buzz located at 307 S. 17^th St.
  • The Bearded Lady located at 320 S. 17^th St.
  • Tres located at 323 S. 17^th St.

Photo Courtesy of Bike McAllen

Saturday, December 21^st

• The IMAS welcomes families to get into the holiday spirit with their Gingerbread House Workshops. This event is scheduled every Saturday in December with a variety of workshop timeslots. There is a fee of $5 per participant. Click here to register. Note: workshop fees do not include the cost of general admission.
• Try Tai Chi in the Park held at the McAllen Nature Center from 8:00 AM until 9:00 AM. There is a suggested $1 donation fee per person.
• Sensory Saturday at the McAllen Public Library will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
• Do some last-minute shopping at the Procrastinators Holiday Market! This event will be held at the McAllen Farmers Market from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
• Practice Yoga at the McAllen Farmers Market from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM.
• Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater during Bike McAllen’s 2nd Annual Lite Up Your Ride Social. The Ugly Sweater Competition will take place at the midpoint. Meet at the McAllen City Hall parking lot across from City Hall, wheels down at 5:30 PM.
• Santa’s Circle Presents: Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) at the McAllen Convention Center’s Oval Park. The movie screening begins at 6:00 PM. Bring your own blanket and the entire family!
• Join the Holiday PAWty for a fun night market full of vegan, pet, and local vendors at Grain to Glass from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM.
• Drop off the kids at Kidz Night Out! This event will be held at Palm View Community Center beginning at 6:30 PM. There is a fee of $15 per child and $5 per additional child, please click here to register.
• Pulguita Nocturna: Ugly Sweater Edition will be held at The Gremlin from 9:00 PM until 2:00 AM. Shop from over thirty vendors and enjoy some live music with your friends!
• Join the Ugly Sweater Party at London Grill & Tavern from 9:00 PM until 2:00 AM.
• Ugly Sweater Party with special guests DJ Static and DJ Gruvman will be held at The White Rhino from 10:00 PM until 2:00 AM.
• Grab a friend and come out to the 4^th Annual Dirty Sweater Party happening at The Flying Walrus from 10:30 PM until 2:00 AM.

Photo Courtesy of Brewsome

Sunday, December 22^nd

• Enjoy a bike ride with the Sun & Ski Sports Team during their Sunday Sapo Gravel Ride from 7:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Meet at their La Plaza Mall location and don’t forget your helmet and water bottle!
• Visit “FriendsMas” at The Courtyard Plaza from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
• STEAMworks: Holiday Science will be held at the McAllen Public Library beginning at 2:00 PM.
• Enjoy some good music and dancing at the Christmas Ceili – Irish Dance Party at the McAllen Creative Incubator from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.
• Christmas Art Bazaar will be held at Brewsome from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Shop for original paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted ornaments.
• Sunday Funday Christmas Toy Benefit at Yerberia Cultura begins at 8:00 PM. Bring a $6-$10 donation or an unwrapped Toy.

Have a Great Weekend, Explorers!

As always, be sure to tag us in your photos or use #ExploreMcAllen and #McAllenEats for your chance to be featured across our social media accounts!

Photo Courtesy of the IMAS Museum

Spend some time with your friends and family at the many holiday festivities going on this weekend in McAllen! Join the Gingerbread House Workshop at the IMAS, experience the spectacular McAllen Holiday Parade and Christmas in the Park, and attend the Toy Drive Festival at Southern Roots Flower Market. Read on for more things to do in McAllen this weekend!

Friday, December 6^th

• The Tech for Toys one-mile walk/run will be held at the STC Technology Campus Parking Lot from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation and register online to participate in the walk/run.
• Visit the Christmas Tree Forest at the IMAS from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. This event is scheduled until January 4^th, 2020. For general admission fees and hours of operation, please click here.
• Enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, a carnival, and more at Christmas in the Park from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM this evening and on Saturday, December 7^th from 12:00 PM until 12:00 AM at the Municipal Park. Click here for more information.
• Disney’s Frozen Jr. Presented by Memorial Choir will be held at the Memorial High School from 7:30 PM until 9:30 PM. There will be two more showtimes on December 7^th and December 8^th from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM. $10 tickets are available online. Please click here to purchase.

Photo Courtesy of the McAllen Holiday Parade

Saturday, December 7^th

• The IMAS welcomes families to get into the holiday spirit with their Gingerbread House Workshops. This event is scheduled every Saturday in December with a variety of workshop time slots. There is a fee of $5 per participant. Click here to register. Note: workshop fees do not include the cost of general admission.
• Try Tai Chi at the McAllen Nature Center from 8:00 AM until 9:00 AM. There is a suggested donation fee of $1 per person.
• Enjoy a guided walk during Birding Our Backyard at Quinta Mazatlán from 8:30 AM until 10:00 AM. There is a park admission fee of $3 per person.
• Join CommUnity Yoga at Bill Schupp Park from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Bring your own mat and water.
• Stop by the Christmas Market at Main Stage Dance Studio from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM to shop from local vendors, take pictures with Santa, and more!
• Grab some free hot chocolate and sweets during the Christmas Market at Nora’ss Antique Store from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
• Practice Yoga at the McAllen Farmers Market from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM.
• Join the Chip Monsters for Creative Session for Kids+Parents from 12:00 PM until 2:30 PM. A few of the creative projects offered are Comic Book Collage, Make Your Super Hero Mask, 8-Bit Pixel Art, and more! There is a fee of $8 to $10 per creative project with all workshop materials provided. Please register by visiting the Events Section of their Facebook page and selecting “Going.”
• Try Beer Yoga at Brewsome Brewery from 12:15 PM until 1:15 PM. There is a fee of $16 per participant. Please click here to purchase.
• Take your Pet Photos with Santa at Roosevelt’s at 7 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. There is a suggested donation of $5.
• Catch a performance of the Rio Grande Valley Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. This event is scheduled from December 7^th through December 8^th from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Tickets are available at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office or through com.
• Paint and take your own My Little Pony Friendship toys at Myth Adventures from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. There is a fee of $10 per participant.
• Experience the 2019 McAllen Holiday Parade presented by H-E-B Opening Ceremony Extravaganza beginning at 4:30 PM inside the Veterans Memorial Stadium. There will be special performances by Mane de la Parra with the McAllen ISD 4^th– and 5^th-grade choir and more! The parade begins at 6:00 PM at the Veterans Memorial Stadium and exits to the street. Stadium seating tickets are available online. Click here to purchase.

Photo Courtesy of Amanda Elaine Bakes

Sunday, December 8^th

• Enjoy a bike ride with the Sun & Ski Sports Team during their Sunday Sapo Gravel Ride from 7:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Meet at their La Plaza Mall location and don’t forget your helmet and water bottle!
• Shop locally and listen to live music at the Toy Drive Festival benefitting Super Rami and Friends! This event will be held at Southern Roots Flower Market from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
• Make-N-Take Crafts at the McAllen Public Library will be held from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM.
• RGV TubaChristmas will be performing outside the McAllen Convention Center from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM. This is a free performance so feel free to bring your own chairs and blankets!
• Bring your little ones for stories, signs, and playtime at Baby Storytime! This event will be held at the McAllen Public Library from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
• Join a staff member for Art in the Park held at the McAllen Nature Center from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM. There is a suggested donation of $1 per person.

Have a Great Weekend, Explorers!

As always, be sure to tag us or use #exploremcallen and #mcalleneats in your photos for your chance to be featured on our social media accounts!