El Pasoans can start their weekend celebrating the Lunar New Year at the El Paso Museum of History. The city’s seventh annual celebration will fall on the Year of the Horse with plenty of family fun activities.
Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year and the arrival of spring. The holiday is widely observed in China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries and communities worldwide.
Aside from community fun, there are several concerts starting with El Paso Symphony Orchestra Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28 and then continuing with performances by Chicago, Gladys Knight and Heart during the next week.
The El Paso orchestra will be performing the Seventh Symphony, led by Bohuslav Rattay.
“Orchestras pair Beethoven’s Seventh and Prokofiev’s Seventh for the irresistible ‘lucky 7’ gimmick: two masterpieces sharing the same opus number, creating an instant thematic hook that practically sells itself,” says conductor Bohuslav Rattay in a news release.
Here is a closer look at things to do for the next 10 days.
El Paso’s Seventh Annual Lunar Year celebration
The El Paso Museum of History, in partnership with community organizations, invites residents and visitors to welcome the Year of the Horse at the City’s Seventh Annual Lunar New Year Celebration.
The free event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, with activities and performances centered at Cleveland Square Park and hosted across Museums and Cultural Affairs Department sites throughout the Downtown Arts District.
Event highlights include:
EPSO: The Seventh Symphonies
The spotlight will shine on the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, led by Bohuslav Rattay, in EPSO’s Feb. 27-28 performances of “The Seventh Symphonies: Classical Poetry.” The concerts at 7:30 p.m. will showcase the renowned composers Prokofiev and Beethoven, featuring their seventh symphonies.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at epso.org, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the EPSO office (915) 532-3776. Prices are $49, $44, $37, $23, and $17 plus fees. Student tickets are available for $9 and $12 plus fees.
Candlelight concerts
Candlelight concerts, often featuring the Four Bridges Quartet, are held monthly at various locations, such as the St. Roger’s Depot, 420 N. Campbell Drive, near Downtown, or the El Paso Zoo. Each concert is themed, whether it features music by a particular famous singer or is tied to a popular show. Upcoming is Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 and Thursday, March 12. Tickets range from $69.50 to $78.50. $54.50 tickets are sold out. For tickets and more information: feverup.com
49 Winchester
Acclaimed country-rock band 49 Winchester, who blends Southern rock with country, will perform in El Paso at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Lowbrow Palace, 1006 Texas Ave. Coleman Jennings will open. General admission tickets are $40.46, available at lowbrowpalace.com
Chicago
Chicago, one of the longest-running groups of all time, will bring its tour to El Paso. The band, now in its 58th touring season, will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets ranging from $92 to $496, plus fees, are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Gladys Knight
The seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight will perform in El Paso with a show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets, priced from $87 to $324 plus fees, are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Heart
Because of popular demand, the band Heart is continuing its Royal Flush Tour in 2026 and bringing it to El Paso with a performance at 8 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the El Paso County Coliseum. Tickets ranging from $71 to $417, plus fees, available at Ticketmaster.com.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Upcoming: Lunar New Year, symphony, Chicago, Gladys Knight, Heart
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
