The City of McAllen will celebrate the South Pole Illuminated Festival, presented by H-E-B, Nov. 30 through Jan. 1. The 33-day event at the McAllen Convention Center will unveil the tallest RGB Christmas Tree in America, spanning over 10 stories tall. The digital red, green, blue color light model tree will be just one aspect of helping guests to experience a walking journey through millions of lights.
The South Pole Illuminated Festival also includes:
- The McAllen Convention Center’s Illuminated Oval Park, featuring 24 new, giant color-changing trees, recreated snowfall and Santa’s Castle
- A new “South Pole & Beyond” Lighted Lantern Exhibit, with over 100 new giant holiday and space-themed lanterns
- Photos with Santa
- South Pole Express train rides
- Gingerbread Village to craft very own gingerbread houses
- Hot chocolate and smores station
- Holiday Food Court
- NASA photo exhibit
- The South Pole Artisan Market for hand-crafted holiday gifts
- A Holiday Carnival featuring a giant Ferris wheel, a double decker carousel and rollercoaster
- Daily holiday concerts and community performances
- South Pole Fireworks Spectacular show on the weekends
This year, H-E-B will celebrate beloved Latino holiday traditions with two special community days at the South Pole of Texas. On Dec. 16, families will enjoy a Tamalada & Children’s Workshop. On Dec. 30, guests will be treated to H-E-B’s rosca with warm H-E-B Café Ole!
Full event calendars are available on the South Pole Illuminated Festival on social media accounts.
Giving Back & Giveaways
As a special recognition and appreciation of the many community organizations throughout the Rio Grande Valley that exemplify the heart of the community, the South Pole Illuminated Festival’s return will also feature 12 Days of Giving, presented by H-E-B Helping Here. Each special night, H-E-B will be honoring a non-profit organization from the Rio Grande Valley with a donation to help them further their outreach and impact in the community.
Giveaway chances for tickets and other prizes are ready to kick off the South Pole Illuminated Festival. To enter, participants must decorate their home or office with all the Christmas cheer and post a photo on social media, using #southpoleoftexas. Ticket winners will be selected daily.