Festive Getaway

Fall + winter in El Paso is a Southwest adventure for Dallasites

If your idea of a perfect getaway includes rich culture, vibrant festivals, and a dose of desert sunshine, El Paso should top your fall and winter travel list. Just a short flight — or slightly longer road trip — from Dallas, this borderland city feels worlds away from Big D.

Kick off the season with color
Start your adventure on November 1 with El Paso’s Día de los Muertos Parade, a spectacular celebration downtown that honors Hispanic heritage with bright altars, whimsical floats, live performers, and community-made artwork. It’s one of those can’t-miss events that sets the tone for the holidays.

El Paso Winterfest Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Family-friendly festivities extend well beyond the stadium.

Winter magic in the desert
From November 22 through January 4, WinterFest transforms the heart of downtown into a winter wonderland.

Glide across the ice rink at Convention Center Plaza, shop at the holiday markets brimming with local artisan gifts, watch live musical performances, and catch a classic movie at the historic Plaza Theatre. The dazzling lights and seasonal decorations create a postcard-perfect backdrop for selfies and family photos.

Football, fiestas, and fanfare
El Paso keeps the energy high as the year winds down with the much-anticipated Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31.

College football fans from around the country descend on the city for pep rallies, live entertainment, and family-friendly festivities that extend well beyond the stadium. Even if you’re not a die-hard sports fan, the buzz around town is contagious.

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl El Paso Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Make it a road trip or a quick flight
Dallasites can reach El Paso in about 9 hours by car or hop on a quick flight to dive straight into the fun. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking mountain sunsets, incredible regional cuisine (green chile everything!), and the warm hospitality that makes El Paso unforgettable.

Plan your Southwest holiday escape
Whether you’re chasing culture, winter cheer, or just a new Texas adventure, El Paso’s fall and winter festivities promise a one-of-a-kind experience. Start planning now at VisitElPaso.com and make this season one for the memory books.

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SPRING FEVER

Popular Texas city named cheapest U.S. destination for spring break 2026

Photo by Lesli Whitecotton/ Unsplash

Destinations like the River Walk make San Antonio and attractive — and cheap — spring break destination.

Got your sights set on an inexpensive spring break getaway? You may want to consider a road trip to San Antonio.

A new study from digital entertainment platform JB.com ranks the Alamo City as the country’s cheapest spring break destination for students.

The study, which covers 30 popular U.S. cities, looks at average nightly prices at budget hotels, the average tab for meals and drinks, and the number of bars and restaurants. The study also takes into account a city’s average March-April temperatures and its safety rating.

“The biggest mistake students make is booking spring break trips to the same five cities everyone else picks,” says JB.com. “When 50,000 college kids flood Fort Lauderdale in the same week, prices skyrocket, and everything gets crowded.”

San Antonio stands out in two categories: average nightly price at budget hotels ($87) and average meal cost ($18).

JB.com also cites San Antonio’s pleasant weather, “making it comfortable to enjoy the outdoors before the nightlife starts,” and its “growing food scene,” boasting more than 1,900 bars and restaurants.

Although the JB's rankings were centered on collegiate life, it is also one of Texas' hot spots for grade schoolers thanks to amusement parks like Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio. The popularity makes it an attractive city for limited-time activations, like the massive Epic Bounce inflatable theme park.

Big-city neighbor to the north, Austin, appears at No. 8 on the top 10 list. It scores well in the average-meal-price category ($20) and the bar-and-restaurant category (more than 5,300 establishments). However, Austin’s average drink price ($7) and average nightly price at budget hotels ($94) are on the high side.

While there are many great spots around Texas for a spring break getaway, Dallasites might want to just avoid the highway and airport hassles and enjoy some top-notch local events and activities - there are a lot of them.

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