UTEP's homecoming this week brings students, alumni and the community together to cheer on the Miners before gameday.
Among the key events is the pregame party ahead of the football game against the Oregon State Beavers at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Sun Bowl Stadium. Individual game tickets can still be purchased at Ticketmaster.com
The pregame party will start at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Kidd Field.
Aside from Miner pride, there are several fun events this weekend, including the Way Out West Festival, El Paso's top country music festival, on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the El Paso convention center in Downtown El Paso.
Country music fans are also excited about Lady A coming to Speaking Rock for a free concert Saturday, Sept. 26.
Over on the Westside,
the Hoppy Monk is planning its Monktoberfest for Friday and Saturday. Monktoberfest pairs a rotating lineup of Oktoberfest-style beers with local live music and a menu of Bavarian bites including bratwurst. This year's El Paso celebration includes a Steinhoist stein-holding competition on opening night and a firkin tapping with Aurellia's Bottle Shop & Brewhouse on Saturday afternoon.
Here are more details about these and other things to do this weekend.
Lady A coming to Speaking Rock
Popular country group Lady A is coming to El Paso for a free performance on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the casino at 122 S. Old Pueblo Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Their hits include "Need You Now," "Just a Kiss," and "I Run to You." It is a 21-and-over show.
Celebrate at UTEP's Homecoming Pep Rally
UTEP will have its annual Homecoming Pep Rally from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Centennial Plaza and is open to the public. This year, it will include a Homecoming Mum Competition with live judging and the announcement of awards for office and door decorating.
The Homecoming Pregame Party will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at Kidd Field. The event will feature food, drinks, family-friendly activities and a special appearance by Paydirt Pete. UTEP Spirit Teams will help build Miner spirit before the Homecoming football game.
La Nube gets ready for a Slime-filled day
La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, 201 W. Main St., is celebrating Nickelodeon's Worldwide Day of Play from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The outdoor street festival will have lots of activities, including meet-and-greets with SpongeBob SquarePants, slime stations, music by Sound Stage 9, hands-on STEAM activities and food trucks. Regular admission is required to go into La Nube. The outdoor activities are free.
Purchase Tickets: https://la-nube.org/resources/nickelodeon-worldwide-day-of-play
Way Out West Festival
The Way Out West Festival, El Paso's top country music festival, will be Saturday, Sept. 26 at the El Paso convention center in Downtown El Paso. Country music artist Cole Swindell will headline the festival with guests Mike Ryan, Breland and Julia Cole. The festival will include Western-themed attractions, culinary competitions, shopping, family activities, interactive experiences and more.
General admission tickets range from $52 to $202, plus fees, and are available at Ticketmaster.com. Admission for children ages 12 and under is now free, thanks to a partnership with the Western Cultural Heritage Foundation, the festival's Official Kids 12 & Under Free Sponsor.
Monktoberfest returns to Hoppy Monk
The Hoppy Monk El Paso, at 4141 N Mesa St., will celebrate its annual Monktoberfest on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26, bringing two days of live music, Oktoberfest beers, Bavarian food specials and a pair of hands-on beer traditions to the Westside gastropub's patio and taproom.
The stein-holding competition will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and the firkin tapping will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.
Enjoy Disney on Ice at El Paso County Coliseum
Disney on Ice brings its popular Disney skating program, Jump In!, with shows Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 23-27 at the El Paso County Coliseum. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27. The production features more than 50 Disney characters. Tickets starting at $27.60 are available at Ticketmaster.com and the Coliseum Box Office.
Pauly D at Elmont Swim Club
DJ Pauly D returns to El Paso with a show at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at the Elmont Swim Club, 240 W Castellano Drive, Suite B. General admission tickets start at $40.09 plus fees, available via elmontsocial.com
El Paso Library plans LibraryCon
The El Paso Public Libraries invites fans of all ages to celebrate the stories, characters and fandoms they love at LibraryCon 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Main Public Library, 501 N Oregon St.
The free, family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities, workshops, exhibitors, cosplay and special programming throughout the day, turning the library into a gathering place for fans to create, connect and share what they love.
Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters and enter the LibraryCon Cosplay Contest. Fabz Shop will also join the celebration with K-pop-themed activities sure to get fans moving and grooving.
Enjoy shopping, family fun at Cielo Vista Mall Market
Kick off fall at Cielo Vista Mall's Market, featuring a weekend of shopping, entertainment, and family-friendly fun with local vendors and food trucks from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26 adjacent to the JCPenney parking lot.
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: UTEP Homecoming Pep Rally, Way Out West, top things to do in El Paso
