City of El Paso Sets Date for 2023 Winterfest Opening Day Lights Parade, Tree Lighting

Even though it hasn't started to get really cool just yet, that doesn’t mean we can’t start looking forward to the Coolest Fest in the Southwest.

The dates are set for the El Paso Winterfest 2023 opening day Lights Parade and tree lighting.

This year, one of our city's most celebrated holiday traditions returns on the Saturday before Thanksgiving for what will be a month and a half of family-friendly holiday fun.

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Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus

San Jacinto Plaza will play host to a full day of holiday entertainment on Saturday, November 18, 2023, that will include the Christmas tree lighting and culminate with the spectacular nighttime parade featuring numerous floats, vehicles, and walking groups all tricked out in colorful lights.

The plaza itself is going to be lit -- both literally and figuratively -- with hundreds of thousands of cheery bright lights and dazzling Christmas decorations.

Although Winterfest programming has not been announced yet, in past years along with the night parade and tree lighting it has also included the Downtown Artist and Farmer's Market Holiday Market on the Pedestrian Pathway next to Southwest University Park beginning at noon, and an outdoor ice-skating rink.

Winterfest 2023 At-A-Glance

El Paso WinterFest 2023 gets underway on Saturday, November 18, 2023, and culminates six weeks later on Monday, January 1, 2024.