El Paso may not have any professional sports teams, but the local university, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), has several, and the city goes wild over its basketball and football matches. If you are in town during football or basketball season, try to attend a game in UTEP’s Sun Bowl Stadium (for football) or Don Haskins Center (for basketball). UTEP is also known for hosting the El Paso Anime Convention every June in its Student Union.

Every summer around Independence Day, the Convention Center hosts the Downtown Street Festival, where guest performers put on concerts while visitors enjoy food, games and fireworks. Later the same month, the McKelligon Canyon amphitheatre puts on the annual musical, Viva El Paso!, which celebrates the city’s history and culture through a series of skits, songs and dances. Around the same time, an annual Gospel Music Fest occurs at the Abraham Chavez Theatre., where Christian music singers and bands come together to compete for the chance at a professional recording contract.

  As befits the widespread Hispanic influences on El Paso culture, the city has a large Cinco de Mayo Festival in Ascarate Park every year, with local musicians, ethnic food and sports games to celebrate the important event. There are also large celebrations for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at various locations around the city and across the border in Juarez.

  Don't forget the area's Wine and Jazz festival at La Vina Winery and the Wine Festival in Las Cruces.