WinterFest Opening Day Tree Lighting at San Jacinto Plaza

Downtown El Paso kicks off WinterFest 2026 with opening-day activities around San Jacinto Plaza. The outdoor ice rink at Convention Center Plaza opens at noon, the holiday market at the plaza opens at 2 p.m., and the Christmas tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. The Scherr Legate Lights Parade follows at 6 p.m. and is listed separately. WinterFest then runs for about six weeks with more than a million lights downtown from 5 to 11 p.m. each night. When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026. Rink opens at noon, market at 2 p.m., tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Mountain time. Opening-day festivities run into the evening; lights stay on until 11 p.m. Where: San Jacinto Plaza and Convention Center Plaza, Downtown El Paso, TX 79901. Cost: Free admission to the tree lighting and plaza. Skating and some attractions have separate fees. More info: https://www.epwinterfest.com/ Organizer: City of El Paso.