Holidays in the Rio Grande Valley involve a lot more than your average Christmas tree, a lighted menorah, wrapping and unwrapping gifts, and eating too much turkey.

The Valley is in Texas, where everything is big, including holiday events in McAllen.

The city will host everything from parades to shopping events and holiday music from an orchestra and a wind ensemble to “The Nutcracker.”

Dream Land

Then there’s the South Pole of Texas. The official lighting of the record-breaking, 100-foot-tall digital Christmas tree in the South Pole (the McAllen Convention Center grounds the remainder of the year), took place on Nov. 30.

Valley residents and visitors can see it in all of its glory through Dec. 30, on Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30-10:30 p.m. The South Texas South Pole will close on Dec. 24 and on Christmas Day. 

The tree, which has to be set up using cranes, has a new spot this year, serving as the focal point of the illuminated festival. Adding to the holiday spirit are more than 100 lanterns, a giant Ferris wheel, light tunnels, a Gingerbread Village, s’mores stations, local entertainers and a Metro McAllen train. 

“This is something we’ve evolved into,” said Yajaira Flores, director of the convention center and the McAllen Performing Arts Center. “Now it’s like setting up a small city. What happens at the end of the year is that things turn into magic and we start believing in things bigger than us.”

Expect to step into a South Pole Dream Land, which is the theme of this year’s event. 

Throughout December, H-E-B will host Days of Giving for area nonprofits, including free event passes. Lone Star National Bank will sponsor Children’s Nights, allowing children ages 7-11 free entry on these special days. (Children under six are free daily.)

“It’s all about bringing cheer and joy to children. For some, it may

be their only Christmas celebration,” Flores said. 

For more information on events, sponsors and tickets, visit southpoleoftexas.com.

Holiday Parade

Santa will have a hectic weekend Dec. 1 and 2 at Christmas in the Park and as the man of the hour at the McAllen Holiday Parade. Christmas in the Park takes place at Municipal Park on Bicentennial Boulevard. On Dec. 1, the event runs from 5-11 p.m., and on Dec. 2 from noon to 11 p.m. Admission is free. 

“We will have 30 food vendors and over 20 artisan vendors, in addition to carnival rides,” said Maritza Munoz, the convention sales manager for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. 

On the afternoon of Dec. 2, large, painted puddles of polyurethane will morph into gigantic helium characters and join Santa at the McAllen Holiday Parade. The event calls on hundreds of parade volunteers and each needs every muscle they have to keep the characters from flying away.

Spectators can purchase tickets for special seating at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, the South Padre Island Vuelta Zone or the McAllen International Airport Skybox. Thousands also line the 1.5-mile parade route from the Stadium down Bicentennial. The city also expects over 27 million television viewers to take in the spectacle of a parade featuring 35 giant spinning balloons. 

Visit mcallenholidayparade.com to purchase tickets, see the sponsors and special guests, and view the parade route.

Shopping & Music

Another local holiday treat is the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s All About Women “A Christmas Affair,’’ a shopping and networking event.

It’s the 17th annual event and is sponsored by PNC Bank. It will take place on Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the chamber. The event kicks off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 to 6 p.m., which is sponsored by Macaroni Grill and Tacocean.

Approximately 30 female vendors will have their pop-up shops at the event, according to Gerry Garcia, the chamber’s director of public policy and government affairs. Entrance is free, and while men are certainly welcome, be warned that it’s more like girls night out.

To balance the holiday bustle, relax at the performing arts center while enjoying “A Touch of Frost” with the Valley Symphony Orchestra, “Christmas with a Twist” featuring the McAllen Wind Ensemble, Tuba Christmas, and the RGV Ballet performing “The Nutcracker.” Visit ticketmaster.com and type in “McAllen Performing Arts Center” for dates, times and tickets.

A seasonal village with a plethora of events cannot be built in a day; nor can it be built by one person. City staff, volunteers, elected officials, sponsors, residents and visitors become merry magicians during this time of year. 

“Everyone believes in the magic and in bringing it to the community,” Flores said.