Family events in McAllen, TX

At Bert Ogden Arena, The Texas Home Show connects homeowners with trusted businesses spanning home improvement, construction, real estate, technology, and lifestyle services. Industry leaders and local vendors come together with families focused on upgrading their homes and strengthening their investments.

Fiesta Fridays marks a 15th anniversary celebration featuring VIP tours, coloring pages, take home craft kits, and special MooMoo stickers. No appointment is required, and walk ins are welcome. The event also expresses gratitude to the RGV community for years of smiles.

An annual Back to School Bash presented by McAllen First Assembly brings families together for community fun. Highlights include a car and bike show, moon jump inflatables, and a variety of games with prizes. Complimentary school supplies will be offered while quantities last. The car and bike show features awards for first, second, and third place, with a $10 entry fee per vehicle and registration available through the QR code on the flyer. This is a free community event that welcomes everyone. For questions, call 956-686-7722.

Head to La Vista Park with your leashed pup for a 1K that welcomes both walkers and runners. Enjoy a relaxed, community-focused outing where you can move at your own pace alongside other dogs and their people. All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt and a finisher medal. The event is open to all ages.

The second annual Youth Football Camp brings youth athletes to Lark Community Center for hands-on training with former NFL and college players. Participants build skills, confidence, and teamwork while learning drills and techniques from the pros. Space is limited to the first 60 athletes. Presented by the BAMFAM Organization.

Shift from summer break to a productive mindset at the free Locked In & Level Up seminar. Designed for children who have drifted from their routines, it aims to rebuild focus, restore structure, and prepare them for a strong start to the school year.

Get ready for hands-on STEM fun at the In-B-Tween Club Youth STEM Discovery. There will be activities and challenges inspired by biology, physics, engineering, and math, designed for students ages 8 to 12. Registration is required, with each child needing to register individually.

Tom Ziglar, CEO of Ziglar Inc. and son of Zig Ziglar, brings an uplifting keynote to the I CAN Family Festival at Christian Fellowship Church, focusing on living with purpose, strong character, and hope. The festival celebrates family, learning, leadership, and the unique promise within every child. Parents and grandparents, educators and homeschool families, church leaders, students, business owners, and others who care about the next generation will find meaningful insights to carry into everyday life. Drawing on the Ziglar legacy, Ziglar shares practical principles on leadership, resilience, purpose, and success that can be put to use at home, in classrooms, at work, and in the moments in between. The festival is free to all families, and the spirit of the day centers on how a single experience can spark lasting growth.

Offering options for various ages and experience levels, this event includes three divisions with clearly defined swim, bike, and run segments. The 12-and-under division consists of a 100 meter swim, a 4.5 mile bike ride, and a 1 mile run. The recreational division for ages 13 and up follows the same distances. The competitive division increases the challenge with a 200 meter swim, a 9 mile bike leg, and a 2 mile run.

Center Church hosts a no-cost community grocery giveaway focused on hope, encouragement, worship, and connection. More than 500 families will receive groceries, with prize drawings that include televisions, free backpacks for children while supplies last, and additional giveaways during the service. The day features prayer for individuals and families, uplifting worship, and a message from Pastor Clark Ortiz. Registration takes place before the celebration service, and food distribution begins afterward. Everyone is welcome, and no church membership is required.

A visiting shelter dog, and occasionally a cat, from Mission Animal Shelter will be on hand while a children's story is read aloud. This weekly gathering is free and open to the public, and the format is relaxed and informal. During the event, 50 percent of sales are donated directly to Mission Animal Shelter. The outing gives featured shelter dogs time away from the shelter, opportunities for socialization, and added visibility for adoptable pets seeking permanent homes.

These weekly Digimon Card Game tournaments welcome veteran players and those just getting started. Entry is $5, and booster packs are awarded as prizes. It is a chance to test decks, connect with other fans, and enjoy consistent competitive play that helps grow the Digimon scene each week.

Celebrate a first-ever pet fest filled with shopping, tasty bites, entertainment, and more. Browse pet-focused shops and more than 40 local vendors, then stop by food and drink stalls. Meet adoptable animals and spend time in the petting zoo. The event welcomes all pets and is designed for families as well. Admission is free. Water stations will be available throughout the market to help pets stay cool. The first 100 pet lovers in line will receive door prizes.

This 5-day Kids Chess Camp is a fun, structured program that helps kids build confidence, focus, and solid chess skills. Each day includes guided instruction, tactical practice, and gameplay that blends learning with friendly competition. It is aimed at kids ages 6 to 15 and is beginner to intermediate friendly, with small group sessions for more individualized support.

Bring your creativity to a 4-day, ocean-themed painting class for kids ages 5 to 12. Students will learn drawing, painting, and mixed-media techniques while making ocean creature artwork, including sea turtles, plus lessons on layering, texture, and color blending. The class runs Monday through Thursday with guided instruction and time for creative exploration, and all art materials are included. At the end of the session, participants will take home a collection of their ocean-inspired pieces.

Bring ocean inspiration to life at this hands-on art class series for kids ages 5 to 12 at Hinovations Art Gallery. Each session focuses on ocean creatures and includes guided, step-by-step instruction from professional artists, with plenty of room for kids to explore their own creativity. Young artists will work with different materials and techniques, and they’ll take home a collection of completed artwork at the end. Materials are included, and the class is designed as a beginner-friendly drop-off experience with small group instruction.