December 12–14, 2025 | ✨ Big Weekend Ahead, 956 Fam
PRESENTED BY
The Adenium House —Your Next 30-Day Staycation Starts Here
Renovating, relocating, or welcoming guests?
The Adenium House in Edinburg is now open for extended stays — fully furnished, kitchen ready, and 5 minutes from everything.
Editor's Note
Hey Valley fam — we’re officially in peak Christmas mode. 🎄✨
Every corner of the 956 is glowing this week: Mission’s hosting one of the biggest adoption events of the year, Weslaco’s lighting up Texas Blvd, Brownsville’s iconic Holiday Express Train is rolling again, and Mercedes just turned the outlets into a full-blown Winter Wonderland.
But here’s what really hits home: everywhere we go, folks are showing up for each other. Toy drives, giving machines, small-biz markets, rescue pups getting second chances — this season isn’t just festive, it’s deeply RGV.
Bundle up, get out there, and make a memory or two.
See y’all around the Valley. 💚
Quick Poll
What RGV win are you most proud of this year?
🌆 Our growing local events
🐾 Community care for pets & shelters
🤝 Neighbors helping neighbors
Vote Over Here
Mission Mega Adoption Event🐾
Sat, Dec 13 | 8 AM–7 PM | Mission
250+ pets, $25 adoptions, vendors, food, and one huge chance to help shelter pets find forever families.
Winter Wonderland at Mercedes❄️
Fri, Dec 12 | 5 PM–9 PM | Mercedes
A festive night with lights, photo ops, kid fun, and holiday magic throughout the RGV Premium Outlets.
Edinburg PD Blue Santa Toy Giveaway🎁
Fri, Dec 12 | 6 PM–9 PM | Edinburg
A heartwarming community tradition bringing free toys, music, and holiday cheer to local families.
Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade🎄
Sat, Dec 13 | 6 PM | Weslaco
Glowing floats, marching bands, and one of the Valley’s brightest holiday parades down Texas Blvd.
Holiday Express Train Tour🚂
Dec 11–14 | 6 PM | Brownsville
A magical nighttime train ride through the Gladys Porter Zoo’s holiday lights — a family classic.
Upper Valley (Mission • McAllen • Edinburg)
Children’s Christmas Posada
Dec 12 | 5:30 PM–8:30 PM | South Texas Health System Children’s, Edinburg | Full details
Mission Holiday Market
Dec 12 | 6 PM–9 PM | Leo Pena Placita Park
Edinburg PD Blue Santa Toy Giveaway
Dec 12 | 6 PM–9 PM | Promenade Amphitheater
Mission Mega Adoption Event
Dec 13 | 8 AM–7 PM | 721 N. Bryan Road, Mission | More Info
Holly Jolly Party
Dec 13 | 10 AM–1 PM | McAllen Public Library | Free
Thrift & Sip
Dec 13–14 | 1 PM–7 PM | 4815 N 10th St, Suite 200, McAllen | See Info
Mid Valley (Weslaco • Donna • Mercedes • Harlingen)
Winter Wonderland
Dec 12 | 5 PM–9 PM | Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets, 5001 E. Expressway 83, Mercedes
Home Alone Christmas Market
Dec 13 | 12 PM–5 PM | Black Brew Coffee, 2731 W Business 83, Weslaco
Christmas Market Day
Dec 13 | 4 PM–8:30 PM | 708 N Baseline Rd, Mercedes
Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade
Dec 13 | 6 PM | Texas Blvd, from Pike St. to 6th St. | See Details
Lower Valley (Harlingen • San Benito • Brownsville • SPI)
Holiday Express Train Tour
Dec 11–14 | Starts at 6 PM | Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville | Reserve your spot now: 📞 (956) 548-9453
Historical Happy Hour: Country Christmas
Dec 12 | 5 PM–7 PM | Laureles Ranch House Museum, 1501 East 7th St, Brownsville | Check Details
La Madre Patria
Dec 12 | 7 PM–11 PM | Market Square Street, Brownsville | Get tickets
Mission’s Mega Animal Shelter Adoption Event
On Dec. 13, the City of Mission is hosting a Mega Animal Shelter Adoption Event with 250+ pets ready to meet their forever families.
📍 721 N. Bryan Rd
🕗 8 AM – 7 PM
🎟️ $25 adoption fee
A shelter full of dogs and cats is waiting for a chance — whether you stop by on the big day or visit the Mission Animal Shelter anytime, your next forever friend might be there.
Let’s help them find the homes they deserve. 🐾
Image Source: Facebook | City of Mission - Government
The #LightTheWorld Giving Machines Arrive in McAllen
The Giving Machines are now open at McAllen Food Park, letting you “buy” meaningful gifts—like kids’ clothing, meals, or even a goat for a family in need. Every dollar goes 100% to charity, thanks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covering all costs. 💛
📍 10 N Broadway St
🗓️ Dec 10, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
⏰ Mon–Fri 4–10 PM | Sat–Sun 12–10 PM
A small act at a red vending machine can change someone’s life around the world. Let’s show how the 956 gives. ✨
🎥Watch how Giving Machines change lives:
Meet Nurse Mary Ceron
Nurse Mary Ceron has spent 40+ years strengthening more than 1,000 premature babies at STHS McAllen. After losing her own infant son, she turned her heartbreak into deep compassion for NICU families. She’s watched the unit grow from 10 to 26 beds and celebrated countless “going-home days.” A quiet, steady hero in scrubs. Read More→
Meet Hamish — a 43-lb burst of energy and pure joy.
This 2.5-year-old Sheepdog/McNab mix loves runs, hikes, and exploring with his humans. He’s been at the shelter since May 17, 2024, hoping for an active family to match his energy.
📍Palm Valley Animal Society | Adopt, Donate, or Share→
Join Palm Valley Animal Society at the Give A Bark 5K on January 3, 2026 at Fireman’s Park in McAllen for a morning of fitness, community, and furry friends.
💚Sponsor: Hexapaws
Smart ramps & comfy gear made for happy, wagging tails!
The Tortilleria Factory (McAllen)
Known universally by locals as “El Pocito,” The Tortilleria Factory has been rolling out the tastiest handmade tortillas and gorditas in downtown McAllen for generations. Irma Gonzalez and her family start before sunrise, hand-pressing warm, chewy perfection on an old-school comal — a tradition untouched since the 1930s.
🕐 Mon–Sat, 7 AM–3 PM
📍 401 S 11th St, McAllen, TX 78501
🔗 Check out this review by ArnieTex:
Straight from y’all — the best eats, beats, and good deeds across the 956.
Image Source: Facebook | Cortino's Italian Restaurant
Cortino's Italian Restaurant (Weslaco)— A popular spot in the Valley known for serving up generous portions of classic Italian comfort food and "absolute must" desserts. It’s a perfect place for a family dinner or a date night that feels like a trip to Italy.
📍 3812 Business Hwy 83 E, Weslaco, TX 78596
🕐 Tue–Sun (Times vary)
🔗 Facebook: Cortino's Italian Restaurant
Suggested by Terry— keep the recs coming, Valley fam!
💬 Got a local spot, event, or story we should shout out next week?
Hit reply to this email — we’ll feature a few every issue!
🧠Local Laugh
Why did the tortilla start a podcast?
It wanted to wrap up the news in its own words. 🌯🎙️
🌱 Quote
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
—Karl Barth
✅ Life Hack
Running late? Toss your cold coffee in a shaker cup with ice and a splash of vanilla — instant iced latte, no fancy machine required.
THIS WEEK'S EDITION IS PROUDLY PRESENTED BY
Work trip? Family visit? Long reset?
Adenium House is your fully furnished homebase in Edinburg.