Port Isabel Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival
2021-11-06 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Sutherland’s, 1723 Texas 100, Port Isabel, TX, 78578, United States
Join the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce for its annual Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival in the Sutherland’s parking lot Nov. 6.
Dozens of professional and amateur chefs prepare their favorite recipes for thousands of festival attendees at a modest fee. Each contestant’s recipe will be judged on appearance, aroma and taste by a select panel of judges. Winner announcements take place at 4 p.m.
The Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival also includes live entertainment by The Agency, vendors and exciting new challenges.
Gate fee is $5 per adult, and children 12 and under are free.

246th USMC Birthday Ball Celebration
2021-11-14 18:00 - 2021-11-15 18:00 | Isla Grand Resort, 500 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Valley veterans and families come together for the USMC Birthday Ball Celebration on Nov. 14 to celebrate the day the U.S. Marines were founded, Nov. 10, 1775 and also to celebrate Veterans’ Day.
Honor Guest for the evening is Gunnery Sergeant Marvin Hernandez Garcia. The event includes dinner, dance, door prices, and free beer and margarita drinks for the social hour. Cash Bar will be open all night.

Night of Lights: "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" Parade
2021-11-17 08:00 - 17:00 | TX, United States
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and City of Edinburg present the annual Night of Lights Parade on Dec. 3.
The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Edinburg Downtown District with organizations, schools, marching groups, businesses and community groups on various floats. Trophies and awards will go to first-, second- and third-place winners in the business, civic and school divisions.
The festive event is free to the public.

Santa Dash 5k Fun Run
2021-12-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Weslaco City Hall, 255 South Kansas Ave., Weslaco, TX, United States
The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce and RGV Theme Runs present the return of the annual Santa Dash fun run. Join in kicking off the Weslaco Christmas Parade on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. Each runner will get receive a five-piece Santa Suit, a medal and a bib.
Register online.

Food Park Unplugged
2021-12-17 20:00 - 22:00 | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place Dec. 17 at McAllen Food Park. Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

Hot Cocoa For Heroes
2021-12-20 08:30 - 10:30 | Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, 311 E. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX, 78550, United States
Join the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce for Hot Cocoa For Heroes Dec. 20. The chamber will give out hot cocoa, sweet bread and tamales to veterans and first responders.

SPI Kite Fest
2022-02-03 - 2022-02-05 | SPI Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
The SPI Kite Fest is back for 2022 at the SPI Convention Center Feb. 3-5 for indoor kite performances and the outdoor festival.
The weekend also includes On the Flats and a banquet at the Isla Grand Beach Resort.

26th Annual Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo
2022-02-08 - 2022-02-12 | SPI Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
The annual Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo is back better than ever on South Padre Island Feb. 8-12. The five-day expo includes distinguished guest speakers, exhibits and tours.
Learn all about the fascinating natural treasures South Texas and the lower Laguna Madre have to offer. The array of topics include sea turtles, native plants, birds, fishing, butterflies and dragonflies, and more.
Visit spibirding.com/wowe for more details, presenter schedule, and to register for tours.

2022 Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show "Wizard of Oz"
2022-02-18 - 2022-02-19 | South Padre Island Convention Centre, 7355 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild presents the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show Feb. 18-19 to further their mission to preserve and encourage the art of quilting.
Hundreds of quilts will be on display in 14 categories. The event also includes hourly demos, vendors, a silent auction, door prizes and more.
Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 a day or $15 both days for adults; $5 per day for teens ages 13-18; and children 12 years and under are free.

Food Park Unplugged
2022-02-18 20:00 - 22:00 | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place Feb. 18 at McAllen Food Park. Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

South Padre Island Chili Expo (SPICE)
2022-02-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Louie’s Backyard, 2305 Laguna Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Welcome back to the South Padre Island Chili Expo (SPICE) Feb. 19, benefiting South Padre Island Walk for Women. The event helps support women and families in the Valley who are fighting breast cancer with financial assistance.
To register to cook, you will need to complete both the registration form and the Health Department Application and return both to reeslangspi@gmail.com. You are also responsible for reading and following the Cooks Rules and the Health Department Rules.

Health & Wellness Fair
2022-03-04 - 2022-03-05 | AC2E Elementary School in Fort Ringgold, Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, 78582
Rio Grande City holds its first annual free Community Health and Wellness Fair March 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and March 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the AC2E Elementary School in Fort Ringgold.
Dedicated to the health and wellness needs of families in the Rio Grande City area, local clinicians and health professionals will provide free health screenings, medical information, education and health-related services including the following:

Cholesterol Screenings
Blood Pressure Screenings
Liver Scans
Medical Weight Loss
Rehabilitation Consulting
Behavioral Health
Car Seat Checks
Flu Vaccines
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes Screening
Cardiac Health Screening
Alzheimer’s Disease Screening

Vendors and health care service providers may register online.

Arbor Day Celebration
2022-03-05 | McAllen Munical Park, 1921 North Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
Keep McAllen Beautiful hosts its in-person Arbor Day Celebration March 5, with a 5K, 10K, kids 2K and 25-mile bike ride and social bike ride. The celebration also includes educational booths and tree workshops.
Register for run and biking events online.

Spring Habitat Volunteer Day
2022-03-12 08:30 - 11:00 | South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Springtime means an opportunity to keep expanding the SPI Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary‘s habitats. Lend the staff a hand March 12 as they plant native trees, shrubs and nectar plants in effort to get the grounds in shape to benefit the upcoming spring bird and Monarch migration.
The center has some shovels, garden tools and gloves, but volunteers bringing their own is helpful.
Volunteers who stay for two hours receive free admission to the center for the day.

National Plant a Flower Day at the Mazatlan Morning
2022-03-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
March 12 is National Plant a Flower Day and Quinta Mazatlan is celebrating with Mazatlan Morning from 9 a.m. to noon with the Native Plant Sale, Talk, Walk & Seed Bombing.
McAllen urban ecologist John Brush presents a program at 10 a.m. titled “Quinta in Bloom,” highlighting the native flowers around the sanctuary.
Mike Heep, Valley’s native plant nursery owner, will sell plants from 9 a.m. to noon with a presentation at 11 a.m. This is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about what to grow in a garden.
Kids and adults alike can make Seed Bombs to take home and toss anywhere they would like to cover with flowers. Seed Bombs are balls made out of clay, compost and seeds. Apparently, Seed Bombs were first used in the 70’s to “bomb” large vacant lots in New York City with flowers—they called it guerilla gardening.
The event is free with park admission of $3 for adults, $2 for children, and ages 2 and under are free. Reserve your tickets online at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com in order for the park to prepare accordingly.
For more information, contact Quinta Mazatlan or follow Quinta Mazatlan on social media.

Food Park Unplugged
2022-03-18 20:00 - 22:00 | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place March 18 at McAllen Food Park.
Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

17th Brownsville Guitar Festival
2022-03-25 - 2022-03-26 | TSC Performing Arts Center, 90 Taylor Avenue, Brownsville, TX, United States
The Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts presents the Brownsville Guitar Festival on March 25 and 26. The event features performances by some of the best, most inventive acoustic guitarists in the world today.
Berta Rojas, “guitarist extraordinaire”, nominated three times for Latin Grammy Awards, brings her vibrant and uniquely popular style to the stage while Xavier Jara displays talents that won him the world’s most prestigious solo guitar competition.
Created by Dr. Michael Quantz in 2001, the festival was designed to benefit students and music programs of all levels studying music on the guitar. Ensembles from more than 50 cities across the United States and Mexico have participated in the festival. Some of the greats in the classical guitar world have performed and taught for us including Grammy winners David Russell, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Jason Vieaux, and Los Romeros.

Texas Onion Fest
2022-03-26 | Downtown Weslaco, Texas Blvd., Weslaco, United States
The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco. The name of the 1015 onion came from the suggested planting date, Oct. 15.
The festivities include live entertainment on two stages, the exciting Onion Eating Contest, food, commercial booths, kiddie rides, two performances by the Dancing Horses at the Charro Arena, 1015 Market, Car Show, cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Center and more.
Gates open Saturday at 10 a.m. Parking and admission for 2022 are free.
For more information, call the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce.

Monarch Fest
2022-04-02 09:00 - 14:00 | Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
Each spring, Monarch Butterflies migrate north and east around March or April. On April 2, Quinta Mazatlan hosts the annual Monarch Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in McAllen, with the Bug Parade at 11 a.m.
Family activities include live music, dance, vendors, arts & crafts, migration path, speakers, garden tours, food and other activities. The main stage features cultural dances and performers throughout the festival. Quinta Mazatlan encourages festival goers to wear orange and wings.
Children of all ages will enjoy the Bug Parade with an invitation to dress as a pollinator and walk in the parade. The Bug Parade is led by the famous McHi Drumline, Butterfly Stilt Walkers and more entertainers. Kids can also meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar along the route.
Ambassador animals will be on display with presentations by Gladys Porter Zoo and Animal Contacto. Boy Scouts can work on fulfilling badge requirements including Grow Something, In the Wild, Feathers-Fur-Fins and the Insect Badge. Girl Scouts can work to complete Outdoor Art Petal, Animal Habitat, Garden and Bug Badges.
Adults will enjoy the live music, garden tours, native plant sale, vendors, food and monarch/gardening speakers. The streets of “Mazatlan” will feature educational booths hosted by UTRGV Entomology, Estero Llano Grande, Resaca de las Palmas, McAllen Recycling & Composting, McAllen Fire Station, McAllen Police Department, McAllen Library, McAllen Public Utility, One Up Mushroom, Santa Ana NWR, Texas Master Naturalists and more.
Festival sponsors are the Radisson Hotel, Med Care EMS, Whataburger and many educational organizations and volunteers.
Festival admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children, and children ages 2 and under are admitted free.
Tickets are available online at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com.

McAllen Cruise Night
2022-04-02 13:00 - 19:00 | McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Ave., McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
Join the McAllen Chamber of Commerce for the second annual “McAllen Classic Car Cruise Night” in McAllen April 2 from 1-7 p.m. Admission is free.
The chamber invites all car enthusiasts to come out for a family-friendly event while strolling down memory lane viewing the different decades of automobile history. The event promises to be fun and enjoyable, with a special guest appearance by the Green Ghost. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed.
The classic car cruise will start at the McAllen Chamber led by the Green Ghost. It will then work its way North on Main Street to The Old Church and then back to the McAllen Chamber. Judging will take place at the McAllen Chamber. The announcement of winners will take place in the latter part of the afternoon.
“We’re excited to have the Green Ghost sponsor the event,” stated Blanca Cardenas, Interim President & CEO. “Attendees will have an opportunity to meet and greet and take photos with Charlie Clark, star of the Green Ghost and the Masters of the Stone, which will premiere in select theaters on April 29.”
For more information about the McAllen Classic Car Cruise, contact Wally or Maritza at 956-682-2871.

TSC Ruby Gala
2022-04-02 18:30 - 23:59 | Oliveira Student Services Center, 2nd Floor, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX, United States
Texas Southmost College continues its celebration of its 95th anniversary April 2 with its Ruby Gala.
The night will include a string quartet and live music by Rockstar Denied. Online and live auctions will include sport, spa and restaurant packages as well as art pieces and jewelry from local donors. The evening also includes a surf and turf dinner.
The gala takes place from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on the second floor of the TSC Olivera Student Services building. This is the third celebratory event honoring the college’s 95th anniversary held over the past year.
All proceeds from donors and auction purchases will benefit the TSC Foundation’s student scholarships.
TSC Foundation scholarships help hundreds of students each year. Most recently, they have also provided full scholarships to TSC’s Workforce Training students in programs such as Welding, Scaffolding and Insulation. These programs lead to immediate employment with companies that offer great pay and benefits.

Community Family Health Fair
2022-04-09 10:00 - 13:00 | McAllen Public Library, 4001 North 23rd Street, McAllen, TX, 78504, United States
McAllen Public Library hosts a Community Family Health Fair on April 9 at the Main library. Attendees can “Get on Track with your Health” by taking advantage of free health screenings and visiting many informational stations. Families can enjoy free mini train rides, jump rope and hoola hoop contests, a bubble dance-a-thon more. The Health Fair will take place inside the library lobby and outside, in front of the facility.
Dr. Martin Ekoumou and UTRGV-UT Health Rio Grande Valley students will be onsite providing free health screenings. These include blood pressure checks, BMI testing, diabetes screening and cholesterol testing.
Agencies such as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hammond Vision Center, McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic, Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association, Endeavors, South Texas Health System, Power of Why Studio, Vitalant, McAllen Metro and many others will share information about their services to our community.
The Community Family Health Fair is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the library or visit its website.

Sunset Live
2022-04-09 18:00 - 21:00 | McAllen Convention Center Oval Park., 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
After a brief pause for two years, McAllen’s Sunset Live outdoor music festival returns in its full capacity April 9 with a Tex-Mex Country R&B musical celebration.
Admission and parking to the concert is free and is open to the whole family, including pets.
The lineup for Saturday is as follows:

6-6:45 p.m. – Yoga class with Quiet Mind Yoga
6:30 p.m. – STAARZ, R&B Pop from Brownsville
7 p.m. – Lizzie Astorga, Mexican &American Pop from Brownsville
8 p.m. – Ricky J & Desert Bloom, Country from McAllen
9 p.m. – Darius Jackson, Blues musician from Austin

About Sunset Live
Sunset Live includes three concerts in the spring and three concerts in the fall. Each concert takes place the second Saturday of the month. The series focuses on promoting the arts and giving up-and-coming artists and musicians a different type of exposure outside of the local bar scene.

Food Park Unplugged
2022-04-15 20:00 - 22:00 | McAllen Food Park, 10 N. Broadway, McAllen, 78501, United States
Food Park Unplugged takes place April 15 at McAllen Food Park.
Every third Friday of the month, enjoy the sounds of local crooners while feasting on dishes by Food Truck chefs. Take a stroll and do some shopping from local craft and collectibles vendors. This event is family- and pet-friendly.
Free admission into the park.

Spring Migration Celebration
2022-04-23 - 2022-04-24 | South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Experience the spectacle and colors of spring bird migration through South Padre Island at the Spring Migration Celebration April 23-24.
The weekend includes birding workshops and presentations and a native plant sale. Also on the schedule are Island golf cart birding tours and kids’ activities.

Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon
2022-04-27 11:30 - 13:00 | Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, 118 Paseo del Prado, Edinburg, 78539, United States
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce hosts an Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon April 27 at the Edinburg Conference Center. Administrative professionals and employers can join the national celebration over a lunch with motivational speaker Dr. Kathy Gruver.
Gruver is an award-winning author and professional speaker with more than 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. Her topics include stress reduction, mindset and positivity where she creates space for both learning and laughter.
Tickets and tables of eight are available for purchase by contacting the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.

Hats Off to Business Women Dinner & Expo
2022-04-27 17:30 - 20:00 | Embassy Suites by Hilton, 800 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen, TX, 78501, United States
The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts the Hats Off to Business Women Dinner & Expo on April 27. The gathering of business women celebrates successes while offering networking opportunities. Attendees may also learn how SBA can assist in the creation or expansion of their businesses from keynote speaker Angela Burton, RGV SBA district director.
The event also includes a Kentucky Derby hat contest.
Individual tickets to Hats Off to Business Women are $50. Attendees may also reserve a table of eight for $600 by calling the RGVHCC. Vendor table are also available by contacting the chamber. Non-member vendor tables are $250 and include two tickets. Member vendor tables are $200 and include two tickets.
Individual tickets are available for purchase online.

Tacos 'n Tequila Craft Cocktails Showcase
2022-04-29 18:30 - 22:30 | Radisson Hotel, 2721 South 10th Street, McAllen, TX, 78503, United States
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce, South Texas Health System, the Radisson Hotel, and McAllen Nut & Bolt invite you to this year’s Tacos ‘n Tequila Showcase. Come taste the best tacos and the best tequila craft cocktails in McAllen.
Restaurants participating this year include Republic of the Rio Grande, Birdie Bistro, On the Border, Costa Messa, On the Grill and Palenque Grill. Benny & the Katz will provide live music.
For more information, contact Gerry at 956-682-2871.

Jailbreak Beach Escape
2022-05-07 08:00 | TX
The Jailbreak Beach Escape on May 7 has become a South Padre Island tradition. Each May, thousands of runners conquer the 5k course covering 20 challenging obstacles on the beaches of South Padre. Following is a Texas-sized beach party at Clayton’s Beach Bar.
Register online.

Alligator Sanctuary Anniversary
2022-05-07 08:00 - 17:00 | South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, 6801 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, TX, 78597, United States
Join the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary on May 7 to celebrate the third anniversary of the Alligator Sanctuary.
Learn all about the biology of an American alligator and the Alligator Sanctuary through our educational “Gator Talks.”
Afterwards, see the feeding of Big Padre, the center’s 12.5-foot alligator. The center will have cake, cookies and refreshments while supplies last.
Free admission all day.
