Events Calendar

December 3-19– Bird walks are held each Friday through Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

December 5– Celebrating the annual Christmas tree forest exhibit, the International Museum of Art & Science, will host a Holiday Market at the Museum from 1 to 5 p.m.  Visitors can shop local artists in the market.  General admission is $3 and $1 for children ages 4 and up. IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen.  Call 95-681-2800 for information.

December 5 – Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission, presents Frontera Family Fun Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

December 5– Take a Family Nature Walk at 3:30 p.m. at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd., for a guided hike around the gardens and ponds. It is included in the price of admission.

December 6– The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Mixer at 5:30 p.m. at 4610 S. Jackson Rd, Edinburg. Bring a toy for Sara’s Hope Annual Toy Drive. Prizes will be given for the Ugliest Sweater Contest in the male and female categories. Food and beverages will be served. Call the RGVHCC to RSVP 956-928-0060.

December 6 – This is the deadline to donate toys to the Hidalgo County Pct. 3 toy drive.  Donations should be new, unwrapped toys suitable for children ages 12 and younger.All toys collected will be distributed to children throughout the Precinct 3 community. Toy distribution is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10. Donations may be dropped off to the following locations: Precinct 3 Office, 724 Breyfogle Rd., Mission; Precinct 3 Field Operations, 8310 W. Mile 7, Mission; Santa Fe Bakery, 310 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview; Goin’ Postal, 8205 N. Doffing Rd., Suite C, Mission; Junior’s Super Market, 215 W Main Ave., Alton; and Texas Roadhouse, 1224 E. Jackson Ave., McAllen.

December 8-9– The 27th Annual Mission Community Health & Wellness Fair will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. both days. The event is free, open to the public, and will provide the following services: flu vaccines, complete blood count, total cholesterol, comprehensive metabolic panel, pulmonary function, QuantaFlow test to detect peripheral artery disease, bone density screening and more. A free master blood test by appointment will be available while supplies last; a 12-hour fast is required before the test. To make an appointment, call the GMCC office at 956-585-2727 or e-mail gmcc@missionchamber.com, weekdays from 8:30 to 12 p.m. Sponsorships and exhibitors’ booths are now available for purchase by contacting C.J. Sanchez, GMCC vice president, at 956-585-2727 or at vicepresident@missionchamber.com. For further information, visit missionchamber.com.

December 9 – The Star Stories program takes a look at the night time sky at Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission, at 6:30 p.m. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

December 10– It is time for the 2021 Member’s Night Winter Wonderland at the International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen. From 5 to 7 p.m. IMAS members can join in a Christmas Tree Forest scavenger hunt, participate in art and science activities, and children can enjoy story time with staff from the McAllen Public Library. Coffee, hot cocoa, sweets and complimentary gift wrapping will be provided. Call 956-681-2800 for more information or to become an IMAS member.

December 11– Learn about the specialty birds of the Rio Grande Valley, where to find them, how to ID them, and the best time of year to see them in a 10 a.m. program at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd. This is a beginner birding program. Space is limited; register by calling 956-381-9922. It is included in the price of admission.

December 11– Girl Scouts: Art in the Outdoors will be held at 2 p.m. for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors to find art in nature. Girl Scouts will fulfill all the requirements to earn their badges. Registration and payment are required by Dec. 9. Space is limited; register by calling 956-381-9922. All scouts must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or troop leader. Cost is $6 per Girl Scout; parents pay regular admission

December 12– The Nature’s Memories program at Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission, is set for 2 p.m. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

December 12– Make memories with friends and family for a craft time in the great outdoors. The Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd., will be offering gingerbread-styled houses to paint. Cost is $5 per house, and up to four houses per family or group; supplies included. Not included with general admission. For more information, call 956-381-9922.

December 17 –December’s Afterschool Adventures with IMAS features a winter themed activity for all grade levels, ages 5 to 17. Participants will try building a snowperson with different prompts. Register for a Winter Fun kit, which includes the activity supplies and a holiday treat. Kit pick up is Dec. 11 and the workshop is on Facebook Live at 4 p.m. Kits are limited. Go to https://sales.theimasonline.org to register. Curbside kit pick-up is Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. IMAS is at 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen. Call 956-681-2800 for information.

December 18– Learn more about outdoor cuisine offerings with Useful and Edible Plants at 9:30 a.m. at Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

December 18 – From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., learn how to make hand-made, nature-inspired seasonal cards for friends and family at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd. The activity is free with paid admission. For more information, call 956-381-9922.

December 18– Explore the varieties of wetland birds at the Edinburg World Birding Center, 714 Raul Longoria Rd. in a 10 a.m. program included with paid admission. Space is limited; register by calling 956-381-9922 or at edinburgwbc.org/programs.

2022

January 1 – Save the date and ring in the New Year with a First Day Hike at Bentsen-RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Choose to participate in a limited capacity guided hike at 9 or 11 a.m. Scheduled programs are free with park admission, but space is limited and reservations are required. Meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters. Call ahead to confirm the program schedule and details at 956-584-9156.

January 22 – The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Tex-Mex Fest Grammy Tour scholarship fundraiser at Payne Arena in Hidalgo. Featured performers include La Mafia, Little Joe y Familia, and Elida y Avante. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the entertainment runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. Ticket prices are $20, $25, $35 and $45 per person. Tickets on the floor level are $100 per person. Tables for eight are available for $1,000. Call the RGVHCC at 956-928-0060 for information and tickets.