Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around El Paso (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Mountain Time
We list 3 family events around El Paso for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 2 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest)
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Fri, Jan 1
- Schedule
- Nightly
- Hours
- 5–11pm
- Cost
- Free to see the lights; ice skating at The Rink costs extra
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Holiday lights downtown every evening of the WinterFest season.
Official page✓ Dates checked Oct 25, 2026Directions
50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk
- When
- Thu, Nov 26
- Hours
- 5K and 1-mile fun walk start 7am
- Cost
- $50 registration (prices rise closer to race day)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
El Paso's 50th Thanksgiving morning YMCA Turkey Trot, with a 5K and a 1-mile fun walk out and back on Montana Ave that works well for kids.
Official page✓ Dates checked Oct 25, 2026Directions
Sun Bowl Parade New · Just listed
- When
- Thu, Nov 26
- Hours
- Starts 10am
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
El Paso's 90th Thanksgiving Day parade heads east down Montana Avenue from Ochoa Street to Copia Street, with floats, marching bands, equestrian units and folklórico dancers. The 2026 theme is "Famous Sports & Movie Scenes."
Official page✓ Dates checked Nov 1, 2026Directions
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around El Paso over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 3 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 2 free, including The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest, El Paso, Nov 21 – Jan 1, free), 50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk (El Paso, Thu, Nov 26) and Sun Bowl Parade (El Paso, Thu, Nov 26, free).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near El Paso are free?
2 events on our list are free: The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest, El Paso, Nov 21 – Jan 1) and Sun Bowl Parade (El Paso, Thu, Nov 26).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near El Paso need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: 50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk (El Paso). Book through each official page.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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