Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Broadway productions, international recording artists, comedy, mariachi, family entertainment and holiday performances will fill the McAllen Performing Arts Center through the end of 2026 as the city expands the range of live entertainment offered in the Rio Grande Valley.
Convention Center Director Yajaira Flores and Joe Garcia presented the upcoming calendar during the city’s Fall for the Arts event, describing a season intended to reach audiences with different musical, cultural and entertainment interests.
“We have concerts, Broadway, comedy, family shows, mariachi, dance,” Flores said. “There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.”
The Broadway season begins Sept. 13 with Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Garcia said the production has additional significance because the tour will begin in McAllen, with the company spending time locally preparing before performances.
The fall music calendar includes Mariachi 7 Leguas with Mariachi Las Mariposas on Sept. 19, followed by Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes on Oct. 3 and Mexican singer Alicia Villarreal on Oct. 9.
Mariachi returns to the stage Oct. 17 with Mariachazo, featuring Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán. The performance will be connected to a local school mariachi competition held as part of Fiesta de Palmas.
Garcia said the winning student group will have an opportunity to open for the professional mariachi performers, connecting young musicians from the region with internationally recognized artists.
“Again, it’s about accessibility and bridging our local talent with international talent right here at the McAllen Performing Arts Center,” Garcia said.
Comedy and spoken-word programming will also be part of the season. Odín Dupeyron brings ¡A Vivir! on Oct. 2, while Dante Gebel appears Oct. 21. Comedian Adrián Uribe brings his 50 y Pico Tour on Nov. 7, followed by Jim Gaffigan on Nov. 16.
The schedule also targets younger audiences. Plim Plim En Vivo, a Spanish-language family production, arrives Oct. 27. Sesame Street Live! Elmo’s Got the Moves follows Nov. 12.
“And you can tell I’m a mom, right?” Flores said while introducing the family programming. “It’s time for our youngest patrons to be able to enjoy the arts.”
José Madero returns to McAllen on Nov. 14 after his previous performance at the venue sold out, according to Flores. Broadway returns Nov. 17 with Mystic Pizza, the stage musical inspired by the 1988 film.
Mexican music veteran Beatriz Adriana performs Nov. 21 before the venue shifts toward its holiday programming.
December will include local dance traditions as well as touring productions. The Rio Grande Valley Ballet and Deborah Case Dance Academy will continue their longstanding presentation of The Nutcracker. Italian singer Matteo Bocelli performs a special holiday concert Dec. 19.
A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland follows Dec. 20, while NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet closes the announced December schedule with two performances Dec. 28.
The Broadway season continues into 2027 with Waitress in January, a two-night engagement of Beetlejuice in March and Legally Blonde in the spring.
Flores encouraged residents to support the venue by attending productions throughout the season.
“Every time you walk through our doors, you are supporting the performing arts,” she said.
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