El Paso, TX

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" Cincinnati Street becomes Bourbon Street every February in celebration of Fat Tuesday. The Mardi Gras style festival includes plenty of beads, food, parades and drink specials.

Address: 207 Cincinnati Ave., El Paso, TX 79902 - MAP

Each May, more than 60 hot air balloons of all sizes and shapes fill the sky for the annual KLAQ International Balloonfest. The 3-day celebration also includes water rides and outdoor concerts.

Address: 8804 South Desert Blvd., El Paso TX 79821 - MAP
Phone: (915) 886-2222
Web: www.klaq.com

Enjoy an evening of Music Under the Stars, a free, annual music series at Chamizal National Memorial Park. Every Thursday from mid-June to August, you'll find families, couples and friends gathering to enjoy a picnic while listening to the sounds of jazz, salsa, Latin romantic, big band, swing, mariachi, oldies and Texas Swing.

Address: 800 South San Marcial Street El Paso TX 79905 - MAP
Phone (915) 541-4280
Web: www.ci.el-paso.tx.us

There's a whole lot of ridin' and ropin' every September at the Southwestern International PRCA Rodeo. Known as the 17th oldest rodeo in the nation, it is ranked as one of the top 50 shows by professional rodeo cowboys.

Address: Cohen Stadium 9700 Gateway North Blvd., El Paso, TX 79924 - MAP
Phone: (915) 755-2000
Web: www.elprodeo.com

Live music and ballet folkloricos help to celebrate the annual Mexican Independence Day every September in downtown El Paso. Celebrate the proclamation Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave the night of September 15, 1810, which ignited Mexico's rebellion against Spain.

Address: Chamizal National Memorial, 800 South San Marcial, El Paso TX 79905 - MAP

Celebrate Greek food, music and culture at the annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival every August. Plenty of dancing and revelry, along with tasty treats like baklava, spanakopita, souvlaki and more. Great fun for the whole family.

Address: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 124 South Festival Dr., El Paso TX 79912 - MAP
Phone: (915) 833-0882
Web: www.stnicholas.tx.goarch.org

The majestic mountains surrounding El Paso have earned a six-week fiesta, known as "Celebration of our Mountains." Events usually begin in October and include bird watching, nature hikes and drives, mountain biking and bat watches. There's even a "Coffee, hot chocolate, muffins, and the tramway" event.

Web: www.celebmtns.org

Every October, one of the nation's premier airshows takes to the skies in El Paso. The Amigo Airsho includes Franklin's Flying Circus, the US Navy Blue Angels, the US Army Golden Knight Parachute Team and more.

Address: Fort Bliss, Biggs Army Airfield, El Paso TX 79936 - MAP
Phone: (915) 562-6446
Web: www.amigoairsho.org