McAllen names Raul Brindis, Johnjay & Rich, South Padre Island zone for Dec. 6 holiday parade

Irma Chapa, communications director for the City of McAllen, announced at a South Padre Island press conference that the 2025 McAllen Holiday Parade will be held Dec. 6 and will feature national and regional radio personalities, a returning South Padre Island Welcome Zone and new parade attractions.

The parade — billed this year as “Christmas Across America” — will include nationally syndicated radio personality Raul Brindis and the morning team Johnjay & Rich as celebrity guests. South Padre Island will return with an illuminated float, the returning Ridley the sea turtle balloon and a new giant character balloon, “Mr. Potato Head Fireman.” Organizers also said a new Santa’s Christmas Adventure giveaway launches Oct. 16 and that tickets for the South Padre Island (SPI) Welcome Zone are available at mcallenholidayparade.com.

“This year South Padre Island is proud to have a strong partnership with the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Cindy Trevino, director of marketing and corporate sponsorship for South Padre Island, at the press conference. Trevino said the island will have its “biggest presence yet,” including a new illuminated float and a dedicated SPI Welcome Zone where volunteer teams will spin giant helium character balloons.

Karina Jimenez, director of special events for the City of McAllen, described the SPI Welcome Zone as a signature parade experience. “I believe that every seat in our event is the best seat in the house,” Jimenez said, and urged attendees to buy tickets soon because some zones typically sell out.

Organizers thanked presenting sponsor H-E-B and partners Bert Ogden Auto, McAllen International Airport, Lone Star National Bank, Reliant and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, among others, for supporting the parade and related activations. The event will again feature the parade tradition locally known as “la vuelta,” where balloon handlers and attendees participate in a synchronized spinning of giant character balloons, the organizers said.

Irma Chapa, the parade communications director, confirmed the winner of an early giveaway as Michelle Noriega (winner via the parade’s Instagram) and encouraged the public to follow the parade’s social channels for future giveaways and official rules. The press conference recap noted that the next McAllen Holiday Parade press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at McAllen International Airport.

The announcements focused on promotions, partnerships and ticketing; no government policy decisions, contract awards or budget votes were recorded at the event.