Coming Attractions

December 20

• Gather family and friends for the McAllen Wind Ensemble concert, Noche Mágica, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Audiences can expect an evening of arrangements that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the holiday season. A special vocal performance from Alberto Esco will complement the musical Christmas ambiance. Concert admission is free, but an electronic ticket is required. Tickets can be reserved on the Ensemble’s website at mcallenwindensemble.org, with assistance available at the door if needed.
• The Pharr Community Theater final performance of A Tejano Christmas Carol will be held at the DRC Center, 750 W. Dicker Rd., Pharr, at 7:30 p.m. This classic from Charles Dickens and adapted by Pedro Garcia is set in the RGV where the well-known Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Ray Perez, becomes Ezequiel Codos an RGV attorney and powerful water broker whose greed threatens to dry up the famous Rio Grande River. More details and advance tickets are available online for $5 and $8 (plus surcharge) at pharrcommunitytheater.com. Tickets will be sold at the door, upon availability, for $8 and $12.

December 20 – January 1

• The 15th Annual Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is on display with 37 cottages this year, and activities are ongoing through the holiday season. The hunt is on again for Fritter, the Holiday Village elf through Christmas Eve. Find Fritter and enter to win daily and weekly prizes from the Children’s Museum of Brownsville. There are treats from a variety of food vendors and performances by many local dance groups, choirs, school groups and more, throughout the month. Admission is free all day every day, and the cottages are lit at 6 p.m. each evening. Santa Claus will be in the gazebo and available for free pictures every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night through Dec. 22. More information, entertainment schedules and Elf on the Shelf contest rules can be found at HolidayVillageBrownsville.com.

December 21

• The Quinta Mazatlán Winter Solstice Celebration runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. There will be a concert in the park with Velvet Jazz performing, and family activities including Luminary Woods Walk, make a tree bird feeder, Leaf and Art Shadow Sketching, and creating a DIY Christmas Cholla Pot. Food and beverage vendors will be on site. Admission is $5, with children age 2 and under admitted free. Go to quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com for tickets.  Call 956-681-3370 for information. Quinta Mazatlán is at 600 Sunset Blvd., McAllen.

2025

February 7

• The “Cocktails con Fuerza” performance of the Valley Symphony Orchestra is a night on the town with Gershwin, Ellington, Gabriela Ortiz, Schubert, and more. Selections include the Gershwin Cuban Overture; Schubert Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished” I. Allegro moderato; Bernstein On The Town: Times Square, 1944 Sinatra Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes (Arr. Moss); Ortiz Antropolis; and Ellington/Strayhorn/Tyzik, The Essential Ellington. For season tickets, go to valleysymphony.org/landing-page/season-subscriptions. All concerts are held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. For more information, call 956-803-3036 or email the VSO Patron Services at [email protected].

February 11

• The Harlem Globetrotters are heading back on the road and heading to Bert Ogden Arena, 4900 S. I-69 in Edinburg. They will be taking on the Washington Generals on Feb. 11, 2025. For more information about the Globetrotters and the tour, visit harlemglobetrotters.com.

February 13

• The next IMAS After Dark, an adults-only event to explore the museum, will be Crafty Connections from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and $25 for IMAS members and can be purchased at sales.theimasonline.org/PatronEducation.aspx?pid=1910. To learn more about Fright Night and other IMAS After Dark events, visit theimasonline.org/adult-workshops-programs/#afterdark. IMAS is at 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen.

February 21-23

• The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ show, 2025: Glow-N-Fire, comes to Bert Ogden Arena, 4900 S. I-69 in Edinburg, for three days of action-packed entertainment. Main show tickets range from $10 to $75. Tickets and VIP event information are available at hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com.

March 7

• The Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale join for “The Phantom & the Best of Opera” in the operatic classics and includes the works by Wager, Borodin, Weber, Verdi, Puccini, and Bizet. For season tickets, go to valleysymphony.org/landing-page/season-subscriptions. All concerts are held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. For more information, call 956-803-3036 or email the VSO Patron Services at [email protected].

March 7-9

• UTRGV Theatre will bring Shakespeare’s tragic romance, Romeo & Juliet, to life. This iconic play tells the story of two star-crossed lovers whose passionate relationship defies the bitter feud between their families. ASL interpretation will be available at the March 9 performance. For more information, including ticket sales and additional details, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the UTRGV Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3581 or [email protected].

March 18

• Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley presents Pretty Woman: The Musical at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories to hit the big screen and will equally lift spirits and light hearts. Visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway-in-mcallen or call the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office at 956-681-3800. To purchase tickets online go to ticketmaster.com.

March 28

• Comedian Felipe Esparza will perform at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, 801 Convention Center Blvd., with his At My Leisure world tour. For ticket information and pre-sale and meet and greet details, visit felipesworld.com.

April 1

• Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley presents The Cher Show at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. This Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, and it takes three women to play her: the bright-eyed kid starting out, the glam pop star, and the icon. Plus, there are enough award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City to stage the production. Visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway-in-mcallen or call the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office at 956-681-3800. To purchase tickets online go to ticketmaster.com.

April 4

• Closing out the Valley Symphony Orchestra season is “Romantic Reflections” with Sibelius Finlandia, Op. 26; Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, A Major, Op. 90 “Italian”; Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2, C Minor, Op. 18. Andrey Ponochevny will be the featured piano soloist. For more information, call 956-803-3036 or email the VSO Patron Services at [email protected].

April 25-27

• Closing the UTRGV Theatre season is a production geared for the entire family. Carmela Full of Wishes, adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios, from the book by Matt de la Peña. Following young Carmela as she embarks on a whimsical journey filled with magical realism and cultural reflection, this play provides an exploration of identity and the power of dreams. This Theatre for Young Audiences production is recommended for children ages 5 years and older. ASL interpretation will be at the April 27 performance. For more information, including ticket sales and additional details, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the UTRGV Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3581 or [email protected].

May 6

• Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley presents The Four Phantoms in Concert at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. This is a celebration of the iconic music of Broadway and more, and brings together four Phantoms from the Tony Award-winning The Phantom of the Opera. The Four Phantoms features an extraordinary quartet of performers, including Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D’Ambrosio, and Ciarán Sheehan under the music direction of Ryan Shirar. Visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway-in-mcallen or call the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office at 956-681-3800. To purchase tickets online go to ticketmaster.com.

May 22

• The next IMAS After Dark, an adults-only event to explore the museum, will be Cosmic Competition Trivia Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and $25 for IMAS members and can be purchased at sales.theimasonline.org/PatronEducation.aspx?pid=1910. To learn more about Fright Night and other IMAS After Dark events, visit theimasonline.org/adult-workshops-programs/#afterdark. IMAS is at 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen.