Every January for the past 40 years the Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers has sponsored the premier woodcarving show in South Texas. The Show was held in several locations over the years. From the old McAllen Civic Center to the Pharr Civic Center, then to the Nomad Shrine Club. Last year it was held at the Brookhaven Event Center.
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley will host its annual Farm Dinner on Friday, January 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Food Bank RGV, located at 724 N. Cage Blvd. in Pharr.
Read more: Food Bank RGV seeks sponsors and silent auction donations
Sea Turtle Inc. is thrilled to announce the 2026 Enchantment Under the Sea Gala, presented by the Sea Turtle Inc. Foundation. Join them on January 31, at the Hilton Garden Inn for a night of elegance, beauty, and fun in support of sea turtle conservation. After the resounding success of the event’s inaugural year, we’re back again, intent on making the 2026 gala even better!
Read more: Sea Turtle Inc. Foundation presents the fundraising gala
Quinta Mazatlán invites the community to discover the rich botanical history of the Rio Grande Valley during a special Thursday Night Live presentation, “Robert Runyon Plants,” with longtime native plant grower Mike Heep, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
As the holiday season winds down, the City of Edinburg invites residents to join in the environmentally friendly tradition of recycling Christmas trees. The Tree Recycling Program encourages residents to transform their festive evergreens into valuable mulch at designated drop-off locations.
Quinta Mazatlán invites you to end your year with a morning of Birding, Wednesday, December 31, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., with Education Specialist and life-long birder Isidro Montemayor. Winter is a great time to get out Birding welcoming an amazing variety of Valley Specialty birds, like the Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, and Plain Chachalaca to name a few. The season also welcomes birds that spend their winter down in South Texas. Ducks, sparrows, owls, even rare birds from Mexico can be seen in the Valley during winter. From binocular basics to bird calls and behavior, you’ll leave this guided experience feeling more in-tune with our avian friends.
The mind-body connection is vital for overall health because your thoughts, emotions and behaviors directly influence physical health, and your physical state affects mental well-being.
Read more: STHS Behavioral to highlight importance of mind-body connection at webinar
AUSTIN – Celebrate the beginning of a new year and the start of America’s semiquincentennial (America 250) with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park.
Read more: Kick start 2026 with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park
There are many upcoming programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park to enjoy this January. Several programs are continuing, and there will be a double dose of the speaker series. There will also be two birding tram tours offered in addition to the regular bird walks. Thomas “TC” Riddle, park interpreter/volunteer coordinator at the park says they are hoping to add even more programs, so keep an eye on the park website or Facebook page for the latest updates on programs.
You cannot miss Port Isabel. Especially if you are going to South Padre Island. Port Isabel is a welcoming small town with little shops, a museum, piers, and a beautiful lighthouse. Lots of history sits in the little square just before the Queen Isabella Causeway.
Charlotte Underwood
The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) is now accepting submissions for its Turning of the Quilts program. The museum is looking for antique, vintage, or unique quilts to be featured in a special presentation, where each quilt will be revealed and celebrated one by one. A knowledgeable presenter will provide historical context and details about each quilt's story.
Read more: MHM calls for Antique Quilts for "Turning of the Quilts"
McALLEN – As the year comes to a close, The Salvation Army invites the community to Give With Joy and make a lasting impact on neighbors in need. Your generosity helps provide food, shelter, emergency assistance and hope, not just during the holidays, but all year long.
The City of McAllen’s Public Works Department encourages residents to keep the holidays clean and green by recycling properly and taking advantage of convenient local recycling services. By following a few simple guidelines, residents can help reduce contamination, protect local resources, save landfill space, and support the creation of new products from recycled materials.
Read more: Reduce holiday waste and make recycling easy, convenient, and impactful
The Valley is full of the festive holiday spirit during the Christmas and December holidays. While I am sure you have enjoyed many events at your park, other parks, or maybe around town somewhere, there are still a few activities that you can visit to partake in the Christmas spirit.
In Brownsville you will find the Holiday Village. The Holiday Village is in its 16th season at Dean Porter Park. For those who may not know, the Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is a collection of cottages, each one measuring about 10’ wide, 8’ deep and over 11’ tall, which are adorned inside and out with the most whimsical and adorable holiday trimmings. The Village is set up in the park every November, free and open to the public, and runs from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the first of the year.
Read more: Many Christmas activities are still ongoing in the Valley
By Herb Moering
Winter Texans Bill and Nancee Fisher and David and Margie Jones picked a very good time to come see their first Alamo Christmas Parade on Friday, December 12.
First, the weather was in the balmy 70s range all evening, which helped them to forget the cold and snow of Ohio. In fact, the Fishers had just arrived in Alamo four days ago, leaving behind a couple inches of snow.
