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Learn, Explore and Enjoy McAllen's Cultural Offerings
Explore McAllen's artsy side with a quick look at all it has to offer – theater, festivals, museums and more.
Neighboring the U.S.-Mexico border, this progressive city offers some of the best cultural activities in the state.
Entertainment in McAllen
McAllen's downtown 17th Street Entertainment District is filled with lounges, restaurants, nightclubs and more. Located at its center is the historic Cine El Rey Theater, which opened in 1947 and operated for 40 years before functioning as it... Read More »
McAllen’s Arts Scene Inspires Local Talent
The arts scene is thriving in McAllen largely due to partnerships between the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and city government, which nurture local talent in visual and performing arts.
McAllen’s diversity and location play a part in local arts, according to Cultural Arts Coordinator Jamie Tabak of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.
“McAllen has attracted many diverse kinds of art and artists. We have art ranging from embroidery to graphics to music to style to a little bit of... Read More »
McAllen's Nightlife is on 17th Street Entertainment District
When the sun goes down, McAllen locals find themselves on 17th Street, where the nightlife scene is just getting started.
Now called the "Heart of the City,” 17th Street wasn't always the height of McAllen nightlife. It came about as the result of an effort by the city to revitalize the area. In 2005, McAllen adopted the Heart of the City, a program that aimed to create a downtown scene, and 17th Street was designated the place to be.
The street now sports an impressive... Read More »
McAllen Artwalk Displays Local Talent
The McAllen Artwalk attracts a large number admirers every month. The free event brings together many mediums of art, and encourages residents of the Rio Grande Valley to support their local artists.
The self-guided gallery tour occurs on the first Friday of every month, September through May. It happens in one of the oldest parts of McAllen and involves numerous art galleries and art hosts, all open for guests' to view. Walkers can start their tour at any location and make their way... Read More »
Plenty To Do in McAllen
McAllen is young — and young at heart. With a median age of 27, the border city is a hub for nightlife, shopping and recreation in the Rio Grande Valley.
Steve Ahlenius, President and Chief Executive Officer of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, says the city's low cost of living and year-round tropical climate attract countless young families and singles, including the 50,000 higher education students who call Hidalgo County home.
"The region's student population has been a huge... Read More »
International Museum of Art & Science Filled With Fun, Knowledge
Don’t touch! That isn’t the message to young children who visit the International Museum of Art & Science.
IMAS features numerous art and science offerings for adults‚ but children also are encouraged to attend film showings or actually create art pieces of their own. This attention to people of all ages has made IMAS one of the principal attractions in the Rio Grande Valley.
The museum‚ founded in 1969‚ is a Smithsonian affiliate. Read More »
McAllen Nurtures its Arts and Artists
A vibrant art scene can translate to a higher quality of life, says Greg Schuller, the cultural arts director for McAllen’s Chamber of Commerce. By that standard, life in McAllen is pretty good.
One of the reasons McAllen’s art scene is so vibrant: the McA2 Creative Incubator, formed in 2005. That year, the chamber rented an old elementary school and created a dozen studio spaces, making them available to artists of all genres.
“We don’t have a closed view of what art is,” Schuller says. “It’s... Read More »
Valley Symphony Orchestra Enriches the McAllen Community
For more than 50 years, the Valley Symphony Orchestra has stayed true to its mission of inspiring the community with quality performances and educational programs.
The symphony presents a dozen concerts over the course of a season at various locations across the Rio Grande Valley. The shows embody a variety of different musical genres and themes.
“The music performed by the symphony represents times and places that span generations from around the world,” says Fawn Foudray-Golich, community... Read More »
