Countdown to Christmas: 24 days of family-friendly holiday activities

The days leading up to Christmas are about making memories, whether taking the kids to get a Santa photo, going to a holiday show or seeing holiday displays.

Fortunately, El Paso has plenty of opportunities to enjoy the holidays this season. There are different places to see lights, Christmas parades and Nutcracker shows.

We know you can't fill up every day with holiday fun, but rest assured, we provide you with options to enjoy activities whenever possible.

So, here are 24 days of fun family holiday events to do and enjoy before Christmas Day.

Dec. 1

Nutcracker: The El Paso Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the UTEP Magoffin Auditorium. Tickets, ranging from $25 to $40, plus fees, are available via Ticketmaster.com.

WinterFest in Socorro: The town of Socorro is planning its 2023 Winter Fest, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 with a parade from Sanchez Middle School along Rio Vista and concluding at the Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Road.  Then, there will be a wide choice of delicious food vendors, fun games and rides, a selfie station, live performances, and free pictures with Santa.

A Broadway Christmas: Celebrate the sounds of the holidays with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra with the voices of the UTEP Choral Union at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets, ranging from $17 to $49, plus fees, are available via Ticketmaster.com.

Lighting Campus of Hope: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso will have its annual Lighting Campus for Hope event from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at 5001 El Paso Dr. The evening will include a mascot dance off.

Luminarias by the Lake: Take your families for a festive holiday stroll around the lake at Keystone Heritage Park Dec. 1-2 at 4200 Doniphan, which will be trimmed with luminarias. There will be hot beverages, cookies, and music by the Youth Opera of El Paso, poinsettias for sale by High Desert Native Plants, other vendors, storytelling by the Six Guns and Shady Ladies from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children, 11 and under.

More: El Paso shines with festive spirit: Things to do for holidays

Dec. 2

Christmas Parade in Horizon City: The Centennial Lions Club will host the Christmas Parade with a Charlie Brown Christmas theme at 10 a.m. Dec. 2. It will start at Ryderwood and Ashford and proceed to Darrington and then north on Horizon Blvd.

Make atole: The El Paso Museum of History will have a children's activity to make atole, a Mexican corn-based drink popular around the holidays, at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 at 510 N Santa Fe St. Free.

Free Carriage Rides: Shop at the Outlets Shoppes at El Paso and enjoy a free carriage ride from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 9-10. Visit with Santa in the Center Court from noon to 4 p.m. Snow will be expected at 6 p.m.

Luminarias by the Lake: See Dec. 1.

Nutcracker: See Dec. 1.

Dec. 3

Holiday movies: The Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies series will feature "Elf" at 1 p.m. and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall. Free. No ticket is necessary.

Free Carriage Rides: See Dec. 2.

Nutcracker: See Dec. 1.

Dec. 4

Elf movie 20th Anniversary: Celebrate the "Elf" movie anniversary at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Flix Brewhouse El Paso, 6450 N Desert Blvd. Tickets are $7, plus fees, available at www.flixbrewhouse.com/el-paso/film-info/elf-20th-anniversary

Dec. 5

Santa at Cabela's: Families can book an appointment for a free 4-by-6-inch photo with Santa Claus at Cabela's 6450-10 Desert Blvd. North. Reservations are in 15-minute increments. Make reservations at www.cabelas.com/santa

Dec. 6

Texas Terri's Paint Party: Learn how to paint a snowman or ornaments on canvas from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 at Engine 3 Brewing Co., 3112 Forney Lane Ste A. Cost is $35 plus a service fee. There will be fun door prizes, music and craft brews. Food and drink are additional costs. Register online.

Dec. 7

San Jacinto Plaza lights: Take family photos for Christmas cards at San Jacinto Plaza, which is lit with over 500,000 mini-lights, oversized decorations and a 55-foot holiday tree. The lights at the Plaza will turn on daily from 5 to 11 p.m.

Dec. 8

Holiday concert: Fort Bliss’ 1st Armored Division Band will partner with the El Paso Winds Symphony for a Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at UTEP’s Fox Fine Arts Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. Free.

Cruise Ascarate Lake: Borderplex Adventures invites El Pasoans to enjoy a cruise on boats at Ascarate Lake on weekends. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Look for the BlueGill building on the right of the park after entering. Boat rental costs $20 for 30 minutes; each boat can hold two adults and two children.

Coffeehouse Christmas: Crosspoint Church will have a Coffeehouse Christmas with a special production of How the Grinch Found Jesus at 7 p.m. Dec. 8, and 5 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at 11995 Montwood Drive. Free event with cookies, hot chocolate and coffee.

Free Carriage Rides: See Dec. 2.

Dec. 9

Holiday movies: The Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies series will feature "Miracle on 34th Street" at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the El Paso Museum of Art EP Energy Auditorium. Free. No ticket is necessary.

Holiday crafts: The El Paso Museum of History will have a family crafting event of Adornos Navideños, holiday decor, from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at 510 N Santa Fe St. Free.

Welcome penguins: The El Paso Zoo invites the community to the opening of the new Penguin Encounter Dec. 9-10 at 4001 E. Paisano Drive. The encounter will house Magellanic penguins, which are tropical.

San Elizario Historic District Christmas Tree Lighting: San Elizario Historic District,1500 Main Street, will have its Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 9. The Holiday Market will open at 3 p.m. with food vendors, arts and crafts and more. Local galleries will be open late. Santa Claus is also expected to arrive.

Coffeehouse Christmas: See Dec. 8

Free Carriage Rides: See Dec. 2.

Dec. 10

Honor Virgen de Guadalupe: A presentation of roses to the Virgen de Guadalupe will be at noon Dec. 10 at Lincoln Park, 4001 Durazno Ave. People can bring their roses and candles between 11 a.m. and noon.

Coffeehouse Christmas: See Dec. 8

Dec. 11

Magic of Lights: If you haven't been to the Magic of Lights event, check it out at Camp Cohen Water Park, 9700 Gateway Blvd N. Shows are daily starting at 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 31. Tickets are per vehicle, starting at $17 for regular vehicles and $40 for party buses, excluding fees, available at http://tickets.magicoflights.com/elpaso.

Dec. 12

Dave Koz and Friends: Jazz musician Dave Koz will perform his Christmas Tour 2023 show at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Abraham Chavez Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $45 to $150, plus fees, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Dec.13

Enjoy the skating rink: Take a spin on the outdoor ice-skating rink at WinterFest at the El Paso convention center plaza. It is open through Jan. 1. The rink features family-friendly programming, live entertainment and local vendors seven days a week. Skating sessions are 50 minutes long.

Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays starting Nov. 18. Holiday hours: Christmas Eve noon to 5 p.m. and Christmas Day noon to 10 p.m.

Tickets: General admission is $10 for ages six and older, $5 for kids five and younger and $7 for military with ID and first responders with ID. All-inclusive tickets are $20 for a 50-minute skate session, a 50-minute Glacier Guide session and Sun City Express Boarding Pass. Group tickets are $8 each for groups of 10 or more.

Dec. 14

Grinch Paint & Sip Class: The Wine Down on the Socorro Mission Trail will have a paint and sip class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at 10245 Socorro Road. Tickets are $40, available online. Painting instructions will be given. All materials are included, no experience necessary, and you'll get to take your finished piece home or give it as a gift.

Dec. 15

Public ice skating: The ice skating rink outside the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Drive, will have public skating in December. Dates and times available are 8 to 11:45 a.m., and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 15, noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17-23, Dec. 26-30, and 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 16, and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31. Public skating admission is $20, and military admission is $19, and free skate rental. Information: 915-479-7825.

Fort Selden Historic Site holiday event: The New Mexico Historic Sites at Fort Selden Historic Site will have its annual Noche de las Luminarias event from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 at the site, 1280 Fort Selden Road, Radium Springs, New Mexico.

During the event, visitors can expect more than 900 luminarias lining the Fort's footprint, a campfire, and family-friendly activities, including holiday-themed crafts. Join the site in saying goodbye to 2023 and make a wish for 2024 by the campfire. Tickets are $7 for adults and free for children.

They are available online at https://my.nmculture.org/20947/27727.

Dec. 16

La Fe Luminarias: Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe will have its traditional luminarias along Scenic Drive from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 16. The event is free, however, the center accepts canned food at the top of Scenic Drive with Santa. Cash donations are also taken to help feed El Paso families in need.

Vehicles can enter Scenic Drive at Richmond Avenue (east of the mountain). Traffic will enter Scenic Drive at Richmond Avenue and head westbound in a single lane. Vehicles will exit Scenic Drive at Rim Road. Drivers are asked to dim their vehicle's lights and proceed slowly and cautiously along the event route. For safety reasons, participants are asked to remain inside their vehicles at all times.

Holiday movies: The Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies series will feature "Frozen" at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the El Paso Museum of Art EP Energy Auditorium. Free. No ticket is necessary.

Photos with Santa: Barnett Harley Davidson will offer Photos with Santa for free from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at 8262 Gateway Blvd. N.

Children's posada: The St. John Paul II Catholic Church will have its children's posada at 6 p.m. Dec. 16-17 at 518 Gallagher St. The event includes pinata and goodies, first come, first served. Free.

Posada: St. Raphael's Catholic Church will have its traditional posada from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16 at 2301 Zanzibar Road. Free.

Dec. 17

Children's posada: See Dec. 16.

Dec. 18

Watch Wonka: Take a break from shopping and cleaning to enjoy this fun family movie, Wonka, based on a beloved classic. The film is showing in theaters, including the Alamo Drafthouse East. Order your ticket by Nov. 30 to add a limited-edition Wonka Hot Cocoa Mug while supplies last. Tickets are $8.50 plus tax at Alamo.

Dec. 19

Drag Queen Christmas: Hosted by Miz Cracker, the Drag Queen Christmas will feature Netflix superstar Alyssa Edwards and others at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets are $35 to $75, plus fees, available at Ticketmaster.com.

Dec. 20

Holiday Lights on the Lake: El Pasoans are invited to the enchanting 2023 Holiday Lights on the Lake Light show at Ascarate Park at 6900 Delta Drive. The light show is courtesy of the Fred Loya Partners L.P. and the El Paso County Parks & Recreation Department.

The light show is animated from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday to Sunday through Dec. 25. The holiday lights shine brightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday until Jan. 6.

Dec. 21

Holiday movies: The Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies series will feature "The Polar Express" at 1 p.m. and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Dec. 21 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall. Free. No ticket is necessary.

Dec. 22

Honky Tonk Christmas: Abe Mac will celebrate its 6th annual Honkytonk Christmas Show at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Ricky D's country dancehall, 10780 Pebble Hills Blvd D. The show will feature Texas Country artists Gabe Garcia and Matt Castillo. Doors open at 6 p.m. Table reservations are first come, first served on the concert day. Admission: $15 tickets at the door on the event day. Cash and cards are acceptable forms of payment.

Dec. 23

A Merry-Achi Christmas: Mariachi Sol de Mexico brings its 13-piece ensemble to El Paso with a performance Dec. 23 at the Plaza Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $21 to $65, are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Eastridge neighborhood lights: The Eastridge neighborhood is a great place to wind down the holiday before the jolly ol' guy comes down the chimney. The neighborhood has three entrances: McRae Boulevard at Cartway Lane, Deby Lewis Drive at Glemmway Place — right behind Eastwood High School — and Wedgewood at Fenway Drives.

Peak times are weekends, usually from 6:30 to 9 p.m. If you want to walk, park on Deby Lewis Drive and stroll through the neighborhood. If you see cars driving down the middle of the street with their lights flashing or on, they probably live in the area and are trying to get home. Please give them the space.

Dec. 24

Holiday movies: The Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies series will feature "It's a Wonderful Life" at 1 p.m. Dec. 24 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall. Free. No ticket is necessary.

More: New Penguin Encounter to open this winter at El Paso Zoo

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Christmas things to do in El Paso for 24 days