Things to do in El Paso during winter break: Yes, ice skating, bowling and movies
In a few days, El Paso kids will be out of school and ready to enjoy some free time.
Once they raid the refrigerator, play with their toys and catch up on any games or shows, they may be interested in getting out of the house.
Fortunately for parents or grandparents, there are a variety of holiday events that will engage the kids during this month. There also are a few other entertainment options, such as bowling and trampoline places.
Here are some things to know and places to visit while kids are on break from school.
When is the first day of winter 2023?
The first day of winter is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs on Thursday, Dec. 21.
When is winter break?
Most schools will release students for their holiday winter break toward mid-late December. Here are some of the major school districts and dates.
Socorro ISD will be off from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3. Ysleta ISD will be off for winter break from Dec. 21-22, 25-29, and Jan. 1-3. El Paso ISD will be off for winter break from Dec. 25 through Jan. 5. San Elizario will have its winter break from Dec. 19 through Jan. 1. Canutillo ISD will have its winter break from Dec. 18 through Jan. 2.
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 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.
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.
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.
Public ice skating
In December, the ice skating rink outside the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Drive, will have public skating. 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, military admission is $19 and skate rental is free. Information: 915-479-7825.
Enjoy the ice skating rink
The Rink at WinterFest is great for getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor ice-skating rink is at the El Paso convention center plaza through Jan. 1.
The rink will feature family-friendly programming, live entertainment and local vendors seven days a week. Skating sessions will be 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: Thanksgiving, 5 to 10 p.m., Christmas Eve noon to 5 p.m. and Christmas Day noon to 10 p.m..
Tickets: General admission is $10 for ages 6 and older, $5 for kids 5 and younger, and $7 for military with ID and first responders with ID. All-inclusive tickets are $20 for a 50-minute skate session, 50-minute Glacier Guide session and Sun City Express Boarding Pass. Group tickets are $8 each for groups of 10 or more.
Holiday movies at the Plaza Theatre in Downtown include Elf
The El Paso Community Foundation brings its Plaza Classic Film Festival's holiday movies this winter at the Plaza Theatre. The free holiday movies are shown at the Plaza Theatre and expand to the El Paso Museum of Art. Part of WinterFest, the film series runs through various days through Dec. 24.
No tickets are required. Seating is first-come, first-served. The Holiday Movies at the Plaza Theatre will be presented "Plaza Classic style," including a 30-minute performance by Richard Garven on the Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ before each movie.
Here's the Holiday Movies schedule:
DEC. 16 at the El Paso Museum of Art EP Energy Auditorium
3 p.m.: Frozen (PG)
DEC. 21 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall
1 p.m.: The Polar Express (G)
3:30 p.m.: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)
DEC. 24 at Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall.
1 p.m.: It's a Wonderful Life (PG)
TecH20 water fun
TecH20 will have free family activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at 10751 Montana Ave. Activities will involve water and include making snowman-melted art.
Monkey Rock Entertainment Center
Monkey Rock at Sunland Park Mall offers a variety of attractions, including 10 bowling lanes, virtual reality games, golf, a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf and an arcade. Currently, the center offers two-hour packages for $19.99, and $39.99, depending on attractions chosen.
Hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. Closed on Monday. Information: www.monkeyrock.us; 915-626-5220.
Escape the Sun City virtually
Escape the Sun City, a new game area at 200 S. Santa Fe St., uses Oculus Quest 2 headsets to allow five people to play in an escape room. The business offers three different escape playrooms simultaneously with seven other games. Ages 12 to 17 must have a parent sign a waiver.
Most escape rooms start at $22, plus fees. Gaming is $10 per person. Bundles start at $35 per person.
Make appointments; no walk-ins: escapesuncity.com
Sessions Climbing & Fitness
A new rock climbing place, Sessions Climbing & Fitness, opened in summer 2022 at 1775 Cimarron Rialto Square in the Northwest El Paso. The rock-climbing gym offers a huge wall for those 14 and older and an area for kids. It can be booked for sessions or private parties.
A day pass starts at $18, plus tax. Memberships are also offered. Hours: noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Information: www.sessionsclimbing.com
X-Zone Kids indoor playground
The independent indoor playground has two locations, at 2290 Joe Battle Blvd. on the East Side and 4564 Doniphan Drive on the West Side. The gym offers virtual reality rides, giant-sized mazes, ball pits, an obstacle course and a ninja tower.
Prices and hours vary depending on location. Information: xzonekids.com
Urban Air West
Urban Air West El Paso, 801 S. Mesa Hills Drive, is an indoor park offering a sky rider, ropes course, laser tag, spin-zone bumper cars, a warrior obstacle course, climbing walls, a tubes playground (great for little ones) and battle beam, all in a 50,000-square-foot space. All attractions are height based.
The adventure park includes a cafe with burgers, pizza, pretzels, wings, chicken tenders, fries, soft drinks and sports drinks.
Ultimate play tickets start at $25.99 plus tax. Other pass ticket prices are available. Information: www.urbanair.com
Sky Zone trampoline
The franchise Sky Zone took over the former Rockin' Jump business in summer 2022 at 1691 N. Zaragoza Road.
Management said changes would include lower prices, all-inclusive time-based pricing, new attractions such as parkour and a SkyTower, and new birthday packages.
Cost: Timed packages start at $10 and $12 for a 60-minute jump. It also offers special programs such as sensory-friendly time, home-school, and little jumper times. Information: www.skyzone.com
Adventure Zone
The family entertainment center, 251 E. Redd Road, offers an arcade, mini-golf, and a pirate quest escape room. The restaurant is also known for its crispy McCrory's tacos. On Tuesday and Thursdays, get taco plates for $5.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily. Virtual reality, go karts and bumper boats open at 4 p.m. Three-hour bracelets Friday through Sunday start at $35. Information: 915-585-9663.
Bob-O's Family Center
The indoor and outdoor park at 3851 Constitution Drive offers go-karts, mini-golf and laser games. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Information: https://bobosfun.com
Ally B Gator's House of Bounce
For kids 12 and younger, Ally B Gator's, at 11210 Armour Drive, Suite 4A, offers an inflatable indoor play park. It's one fee for unlimited access to unplugged play. Attractions include a 60-foot obstacle course, Giant Pirate Ship and an 18-foot-tall slide.
A safe toddler zone has a bouncer and a soft mat play area. The Mangrove Cafe offers pizza, hot dogs and other snacks, including beer and wine for mom and dad. Nonslip socks are required for jumpers, and masks for 13 and older in common areas.
Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, by appointment for groups on Monday-Wednesday. Cost: $8 for 18 months to 3 years, $10 for 4 to 6-year-olds, and $12 for 7 to 12-year-olds. Information: 915-496-7712.
'Relaxe' with some axe throwing
The Relaxe axe-throwing venue at 808 Montana Ave. offers one-hour, two-hour and three-hour sessions, starting at $25, excluding fees, for one hour and more. Book your time and dates online at www.relaxeptx.com.
iFly offers indoor skydiving
The iFly indoor skydiving business at 430 Vin Rambla Drive offers everything from single experiences to party and team-building experiences. A two-flight experience starts at $59.95. There are specials for educators, military and health professionals. Information: www.iflyworld.com
Topgolf El Paso offers golfing fun
Topgolf El Paso, 365 Vin Rambla Drive, offers hours of fun golf from various bays. Order some appetizers or a meal and enjoy hitting the balls for bragging rights. The venue offers several course games as well.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Cost ranges from $28 an hour per bay to $48 in the evening. Half prices are offered on Tuesdays.
Information: https://topgolf.com
More: Countdown to Christmas: 24 days of family-friendly holiday activities
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: Winter break in El Paso: Fun things to do for kids include ice skating
