Events Calendar
December 12 – This is the registration date deadline at 7 p.m. for the Edinburg Parks & Recreation Department invitation to residents to participate in the annual “Deck the House” holiday decorating contest. There will be five awards given to the best in each category. Winners will be announced on Dec. 19. To register or learn more about the contest, email [email protected] or call 956-381-5631.
December 12 – This is the deadline to donate to the 10th Annual Isaac’s Angels Toy Drive that benefits patients at South Texas Children’s Hospital. Isaac Garza, a Kawasaki Disease survivor, created the annual event after being a patient at the hospital. His goal is to collect at least 2,000 toys this year. To date, Isaac has collected more than 10,000 items like games, books and stuffed animals for hospitalized patients. To get a list of donation sites, or to learn more, go to Isaac’s Facebook page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068982248965.
December 12 – The Edinburg Police Department Blue Santa Toy Giveaway is tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Promenade Park Amphitheater, 201 W. McIntyre St. The department will distribute 3,200 toys to Edinburg children up to 12 years of age on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be free kiddie rides, a variety of food vendors, face painting, car show, petting zoo, and a free screening of “Elf.”
December 12 – Today is the deadline to donate to the Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Fifth Annual Toy Drive for children and families in need across Precinct 3. Toys can be dropped off at the Precinct 3 office, 724 N. Breyfogle Rd., Mission, and at participating school campuses and community sites. All donated toys will be wrapped by volunteers during the Precinct 3 Gift Wrap Party on Wednesday, Dec. 17. For additional information or partnership opportunities, contact the Community Outreach Division at 956-205-7002 or email [email protected].
December 12-14 – Bird walks are happening every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Meet at the tram turnaround. Call 956-584-9156 to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 13 – Texas Health System Children’s and the Angel Quintanilla Foundation will host a holiday toy drive and Zumbathon in the main parking lot of STHS Children’s, 1102 W. Trenton Rd., from 9 to 11 a.m. The event benefits pediatric patients across the region. Participation in the Zumbathon is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring at least one new, unwrapped and non-violent toy for the donation drive. For those unable to attend the event but would still like to donate, contact Quintanilla via facebook.com/angelqofficial.
December 13 – Learn the basics with Birding 101 at 9 a.m. at Bentsen RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to confirm any schedule changes before attending. All programs are included with park admission.
December 13 – Volunteers are needed to help at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery (SVC) in Mission during the Wreath Laying Ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. Visit the Rio Grande Valley SVC Wreaths Across America page to sponsor a wreath or volunteer at wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/174411/Overview.
December 14 – It’s all Holiday Cheer and White-tailed Deer at 10 a.m. at Bentsen RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to confirm any schedule changes before attending. All programs are included with park admission.
December 31 – This is the deadline date to apply for the 69th Texas Game Warden and State Park Police cadet class. All cadets accepted into the program are required to live at the Game Warden Training Center near Hamilton for the duration of the 35-week training period, set to begin Oct. 1, 2026. Interested applicants may apply online at capps.taleo.net/careersection/802/jobsearch.ftl. For more information, go to the game warden career webpage at tpwd.texas.gov/warden/recruiting-careers/career or call the closest TPWD Law Enforcement Office. For questions about becoming a State Park Police Officer, contact park police recruiter EJ Rivera at [email protected].
December 14-January 3 – Valley residents, Winter Texans, visitors, birders and those just getting interested in birding are invited to join a team in the count areas for the annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. The CBC is a one-day event per area within established count circles. To sign up for a location, go to gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount. For more information, visit audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count.
December 15 – Registration closes for the next Texas Master Naturalist program training registration for the 2026 class session. Weekly classes are scheduled January 8 through March 26, 2026. Registration is open to Winter Texans and residents of Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr counties over the age of 18 to join the South Texas Border Chapter that meets in Pharr. The program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Sea Grant Program. Students attend a three-hour evening class, held once a week at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center. Class size is limited. Cost is $150 and includes materials and one-year membership. To apply for the class or request a scholarship go to stbctmn.org/the-next-class. For questions, contact the new class director Jim Gerry at [email protected] or 630-464-4622.
December 15 – The Wild Wellness program begins at 8:30 a.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Meet at the tram turnaround. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 17 – The Winter Speaker Series continues at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. It begins at 6 p.m. Meet at the tram turnaround. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 18 – The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen, host the next Mysterious Cosmos Family Fun Night, Luminous Stars & Galaxies, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Learn about the cosmos through hands-on activities, presentations and more. Bring a folding chair to enjoy the night sky and look through telescopes provided by UTRGV’s Center of Excellence in STEM Education. The event is included with IMAS admission and free for IMAS members. Got to theimasonline.org for tickets. Call 956-681-2800 for membership information.
December 18, 22, 29 – Get moving at the Winter Wind-down Hike on Thursdays at 9 a.m. at Bentsen RGV State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to confirm any schedule changes before attending. All programs are included with park admission.
December 20 – Our Daytime Sky is the next program at 2 p.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Meet at the tram turnaround. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 21 – This is the last day to donate to the second annual Troopers, Toys & Teddy Bears Toy Donation Drive, a program benefitting less privileged children in South Texas, including those in the Rio Grande Valley. Donations can be left at South Texas Health System locations across Hidalgo County. For details, contact David Vazquez at 956-529-7210 or via email at [email protected].
December 21 – Explore the outdoors while venturing on a Nature Scavenger Hunt at 11 a.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Meet at the tram turnaround. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 27 – The next Jr. Ranger Club will meet at 1 p.m. at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. Meet at the tram turnaround. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission.
December 28 – Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission, is offering Archery Basics at 10 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 956-584-9156 to make the reservation and to confirm any schedule changes. Program is included with park admission. The park is at.
January
January 21 – The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Edinburg, will host the 2026 State of the 956 Legislative Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Arts, Culture and Events Center (ACE Center), 315 W. McIntyre St., Edinburg. Attendees will hear from elected officials representing the region on legislative priorities, economic development initiatives and collaborative efforts that impact the community and business environment. It includes an open question-and-answer session. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, call 956-928-0060 or email [email protected]. RSVP for the luncheon at bit.ly/956State26.
January 22 – The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen, host the next Mysterious Cosmos Family Fun Night, Cosmic Discoveries, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Learn about the cosmos through hands-on activities, presentations and more. Bring a folding chair to enjoy the night sky and look through telescopes provided by UTRGV’s Center of Excellence in STEM Education. The event is included with IMAS admission and free for IMAS members. Got to theimasonline.org for tickets. Call 956-681-2800 for membership information.