Tag Archives: McAllen Holiday Parade

McAllen Unveils Holiday Wonderland

Throughout the month of December, the tallest digital Christmas tree in America will light up the skies in McAllen at the South Pole Dream Land. (Photo McAllen Convention Center.)

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…

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McAllen Holiday Parade Extends Shoebox Parade Entry Deadline

McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade

McAllen Holiday Parade organizers have extended the deadline to submit an entry for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade to Nov. 20 by 5 p.m. at McAllen City Hall, Office of Communications. The winning entries will be premiered in a televised production in stadium, on MCN and on all streaming platforms on Dec. 2, right before the McAllen Holiday Parade steps off. The contest is open to children, adults, families, schools,…

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McAllen Airport Kicks Off Football Season

McAllen International Airport, the South Texas Airport of the Dallas Cowboys, kicked off the football season last week with a Meet and Greet with Michael Irvin, the Dallas Cowboys legend and NFL Hall of Famer. During the event, Irvin announced to fans that he will be appearing at the 10th anniversary of the McAllen Holiday Parade. “When you’re on a team, you’re part of a family that fights for the…

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McAllen Holiday Parade Kicks Off Christmas in July Promo

McAllen Holiday Parade

The City of McAllen is celebrating Christmas in July after announcing details of the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade which takes place Dec. 3. As a Christmas gift to the community, a special buy one, get one free promotion for VIP stadium tickets is available throughout July. The promotion is valid for tickets priced at $10 only with promo code JULY50. Tickets are available online or at the…

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McAllen Invites Community To Be Part Of Holiday Parade

The final float with Santa and his reindeer at the McAllen Holiday Parade.

Organizers of the McAllen Holiday Parade are inviting the community to come be a part of the celebration and help bring the parade to life. A recent announcement included the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes, volunteer opportunities and seating options. The parade will step off at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Celebrities Mario Lopez and Julian Gil will serve…

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McAllen Holiday Parade Returns in December

(photo USAF Honor Guard)

McAllen city officials recently announced the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade for Dec. 4. Stepping off the parade at 6 p.m. at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium is the U.S. Air Force Parade Element Honor Guard and Drill Team. “A lead step-off sets the tone of the parade and creates excitement for the rest of the floats and bands as they march down the parade route,ˮ said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. …

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McAllen Holiday Parade Returns

On July 27, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos helps announce the return of the live McAllen Holiday Parade. (photo City of McAllen)

The McAllen Holiday Parade will return to a live, in-person presentation this year on Dec. 4.  The parade will step off at 6 p.m. from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd., and will head out on the 1.5-mile parade route. Here, spectators can gather and enjoy the sights and sounds of the entire parade. “We invite the entire Rio Grande Valley to come to McAllen and enjoy…

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Nomination an Essential Worker for the Holiday Parade

McAllen Holiday Parade

This year, the McAllen Holiday Parade will honor local essential workers and organizers are asking the public to nominate their favorite frontline hero to be parade grand marshals. Entry deadline is Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m.  “This year has been a difficult year for everyone,”  said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.  “As we learned to navigate through the challenges of wearing a mask, curbside delivery, Zoom meetings and Google classrooms, others…

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McAllen Holiday Parade Rolls On

The final float with Santa and his reindeer at the McAllen Holiday Parade.

On Dec. 7, the City of McAllen held its annual McAllen Holiday Parade, the largest illuminated holiday parade in Texas. Presented by H-E-B, the parade featured 39 giant balloons and 55 illuminated floats all set to celebrate McAllen as the official South Pole of Texas. The parade began at the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium with a route following Bicentennial towards Business 83. Parade viewing was free along the route, with…

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McAllen Brings “South Pole” To Texas

Many City of McAllen departments work in addition to their regular duties in planning the spectacle that is the McAllen Holiday parade.

The initial vision of the McAllen Holiday Parade sounded rather modest to McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. Growing up in Rochester, NY, Darling dreamed of going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He never made it to the big parade in New York City, saying his parents couldn’t afford to make the trip. The City of McAllen decided six years ago that it would launch a Christmas parade. The mayor then…

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