Halloween Parade Draws 20,000 to East El Paso
The 41st annual KLAQ Halloween Parade rolled through East El Paso streets on Saturday, October 31.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Civic
The 41st annual KLAQ Halloween Parade rolled through East El Paso on Saturday, October 31, drawing an estimated 20,000 people. The free event is organized by KLAQ 95.5 FM and Townsquare Media.
Why it matters
The parade's long run and steady growth make it a fixture of community life in El Paso. Its free admission keeps the event open to families across the city.
The parade has run for 41 annual editions, and this was coordinator Connie Hernandez's 39th parade. The estimated crowd of 20,000 is the only attendance figure reported, and no prior-year comparison was provided.
The players
Connie Hernandez
Hernandez is the coordinator of the KLAQ Halloween Parade, and this year marked her 39th parade.
KLAQ 95.5 FM
KLAQ 95.5 FM is a local radio station that organizes the parade alongside Townsquare Media.
Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media is a media company that co-organizes the parade with KLAQ 95.5 FM.
The details
Participants tossed candy to attendees who held out bags and buckets along the route. The parade changed its theme after the September 11, 2001 attacks, adopting the name 'Red, White and Boo.'
Timeline
September 11, 2001: The attacks prompted the parade's one theme change.
October 31, 2026: The 41st annual KLAQ Halloween Parade was held in East El Paso.
Civic Continuity
The parade's 2001 shift to the 'Red, White and Boo' theme, prompted by the September 11 attacks, shows how a local tradition absorbed a national tragedy. The 41st edition carries that adapted identity forward in East El Paso.
The parade is free to the public, so attendees can join the route without paying admission. Families along the route collect candy tossed by participants.
The takeaway
The parade's free format and four-decade run show how a shared event can anchor a community's fall traditions. Residents who want to attend can plan to arrive early to claim a spot along the route.
Further reading
Explore more El Paso Civic coverage for context on community events in the city.
Source note: This article includes information reported by El Paso Times.
