This week: Enjoy Christmas parades, Nutcracker and Drag Queen Christmas
Looking for something to do this weekend? The El Paso Times has you covered throughout the week.
Friday
Winterfest in Socorro: The city of Socorro will have its WinterFest with live entertainment, tree lighting and its annual parade starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Road. Tree lighting will be at 8:30 p.m. The parade will start at Bulldog Championship Park and go down Rio Vista Road and end at community center. Fireworks will follow.
Sun City Holiday Lights: KISS-FM will have its Sun City Holiday Lights, a family-friendly drive-through holiday-themed lights and displays including a 60-foot Christmas tree, starting at 6 p.m. Friday at Desert Warriors Paintball, 13900 Montana. Admission: $30 per car. Opening weekend hours: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The light show will be open every Wednesday through Sunday in December.
Horizon City Christmas Parade: The Lions Clubs will host the annual Christmas tree lighting and parade in Horizon City. The parade float contest and tree lighting will start at 6 p.m. Friday at the Oz Glaze Senior Citizen Center, 13969 Veny Webb St. The Christmas Parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, on Darrington Road at Ryderwood and proceed onto Horizon Blvd.
The Nutcracker: The El Paso Ballet will have its performances of The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Magoffin Auditorium. Tickets are $35, plus fees. Available at Ticketmaster.com
Saturday
Ascarate Park: The park will honor first responders with its Lights on the Lake for 2021. Join the kick-off lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday. Santa Claus will take part in the celebration. The tribute to first responders and healthcare workers will be at 6:30 p.m. Live music will begin at 7 p.m.
Holiday Art Open House: Artists Candy and Charlie Mayer will have their Holiday Art Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at their home, 1317 Tierra Roja. Available will be originals, Van Gogh-style pastels, prints and cards, her El Paso and Dia de los Muertos Loteria games, 2022 El Paso Calendars, ornaments, coasters, purses & many more gift items. Also on display will be Charlie’s photography.
EP release party: Acoustic singer-songwriter Javier Martinez will have an EP release party from 7 to 11 p.m. at Moonlight Adobe Hall, 10180 Socorro Road, in Socorro. Amphibian and Cuerdas will kick off the event. Admission to the BYOB event is $5. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com and also will be sold at the door.
Christmas Parade in Horizon City: The Christmas Parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, on Darrington Road at Ryderwood and proceed onto Horizon Boulevard.
Downtown Farmers Market: The El Paso Downtown Artist and Farmers Market, featuring handmade arts and crafts and regional agricultural products, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 117 Anthony St.
Sun City Holiday Lights: See Friday.
The Nutcracker: See Saturday.
Sunday
Holiday movies: The Plaza Theatre continues its free Holiday Movies series with Elf at 1 p.m. and The Polar Express at 4 p.m. Sunday. Organists will perform on the Plaza Theatre’s original, restored Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ before each movie.
Sensitive Santa: For children on the autism spectrum and those with related sensory sensitivities, there will be a Sensitive Santa from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Santa has been especially trained and takes cues from parents and caregivers in order to meet each child’s individual needs. Advance registration online is encouraged.
Scenic Sunday: Scenic Drive will shut down to traffic from 6-11 a.m. every Sunday so walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters can enjoy a traffic-free adventure. Free. elpasotexas.gov.
Sun City Holiday Lights: See Friday.
The Nutcracker: See Saturday.
Monday
Paws and Claus: Dog and cat owners can bring their furry friends for Paws & Claus photos at 6 p.m. Monday at Sunland Park Mall.
Karaoke Night: Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, 122 S. Old Pueblo Road, is hosting karaoke nights from 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays with a chance to win prizes. For people ages 21 and older.
Tuesday
Geeks Who Drink: The teams meet at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Montecillo, 250 Montecillo Blvd., and at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema East, 12351 Pellicano Drive. Geeks Who Drink is free to play for teams of up to six players, age 21 and older. Arrive early to secure a table and register your team. The top two teams in pop culture win prizes.
Karaoke Night: See Monday.
Wednesday
Daughtry: The rock band led by "American Idol" alumnus Chris Daughtry will stop in El Paso Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Abraham Chavez Theatre as part of the Dearly Beloved Tour. Also on tour will be Sevendust, Tremonti and Travis Bracht. Tickets are on sale at https://www.ticketmaster.com/and https://elpasolive.com/
Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market: See Saturday.
Dec. 9
Drag Queen Christmas: The all-new production, hosted by Trinity The Tuck and Monet X Change and featuring holiday classics and naughty shenanigans, will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets range from $35 to $150 plus fees, available at Ticketmaster.com
To submit an item for the entertainment calendar, email mcortes@elpasotimes.com by 5 p.m. Monday for Friday publication.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.
More: Christmas holiday guide 2021: Here are some ways to celebrate the season in El Paso
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Christmas parades, Nutcracker and Drag Queen Christmas among things to do in El Paso this week
