This is a terrific convention center. It's really wide open, and allowed for a lot of personal space as we were visiting the winter event. They set up a nice snack bar, and in this case a great little gift shop. We had a nice restroom. The outdoors were spectacular. Great places to sit and so coffee together. You could have picnics. You could walk around the water. It was really well lit in the evening. And there were a lot of security walking. I felt comfortable my entire visit. read more

Fantastic venue and there are so many things scheduled here, but you have to call or drive by and read the marqué, read the local paper, look up their web page... Nothing is listed on YELP: Sad, because this is a great location to have this information. The McAllen Convention Center has added a performing arts center where plays and more from other states and even countries can showcase their talent! Wonderful addition to the Rio Grande Valley! Flowing water offers a relaxing spot to rest and chat. The grassy area is used as seating area, and the public is welcome. So lovely to have a place with some shopping, hotels and restaurants available! Fantastic addition! read more

McAllen Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - McAllen, Texas

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The whole "South Pole Illuminated" event should be called the "Random assortment of whatever leftover light up stuff could be borrowed from towns/festivals that actually invest in their communities." None of it is holiday or even winter themed. They charge quite a bit just to walk around and look at the random leftovers... but where does the money go? It is pretty obvious none of it is being re-invested in making the event anywhere near worth the charge of admission. Speaking of leftovers, the Nutcracker ballet has backdrops that look like faded, dusty, old hand-me-downs from at least 30 years ago. The audio had high-pitched feedback through the whole performance. Whoever was supposed to be working the lights seemed to be having issues. Again, the tickets are over-priced, plenty of money is collected from local sponsors, the kid's parents pay for their costumes and dance lessons... where does all that money from admissions go? Also the convention center itself is dingy (stains on the walls, broken floor tiles, filthy carpets, etc.), the entire interior could really use a renovation/update. It would be embarrassing to host a corporate event there in the current state it is in. Seems like funding is being very badly mismanaged all over this place and the whole community is getting the raw end of the stick for it. Someone should really look into that, the RGV deserves better than this. The surrounding grounds and water features are pretty much the only thing this place has going for it. read more

I have been able to attend many events here such as wedding expos, poke fest, concerts, and many more events. I think it's finally worthy of a review! First of all the location is great because their is so many things around it such as retail stores, great restaurants, hotels, and a great area for walking/exercising. I would say they have sufficient parking at this time but with so many things going up it might be an issue in the future. It currently is a hot spot for Pokemon Go fans who are interested in that. The building itself is very well maintained and has to be one of the best convention centers in the valley. I always love attending the many events they hold such as expos cause of everyone they bring. They have done a great job of constantly bringing great events and I hope they continue doing it! read more

McAllen Convention Center - Franco Escamilla - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - McAllen, Texas

I am a social worker and very disappointed that this year the "South Pole Illuminated" is charging an extreme amount for every single thing after entering the convention center park. Many families that I assist in the RGV look forward to this every year just to go see the lot up tree and just like to visit weekly with kids (lights or not) because they cannot afford to pay for events and here you are charging for everything and not even allowing families to walk into convention center anytime of day to enjoy the water view and get a little exercise in. read more

Visiting the McAllen Convention Center was one of my enjoyable and memorable evenings during my recent visit with my family. It was the perfect place to visit after a heavy dinner out with my beautiful niece and her 8 year old daughter. Nothing compares to a personal tour by someone who's lived in McAllen their entire life and frequents the facility. I knew I was going to enjoy this landmark tour as soon as we were driving down the surprising Palm Tree Lined Boulevard to the entrance. Impressive beginning! The Convention Center is gorgeous inside and out but especially beautiful at night. The 60,000 square feet building glows with exquisite lighting bursting through the glass walls surrounded with meticulously placed, mature palm trees, lovely flower beds all highlighted with soft, outdoor accent lighting throughout the grounds with dramatic but soothing water features. My pictures don't do the well-manicured grounds justice. The venue is popular for business events, outdoor festivals, indoor and outdoor concerts, graduations, quinceaneras and weddings. They offer numerous sizes of meeting rooms and ballrooms for events. Oval Park would make a stunning location, with the shade trees and pergola on 2.4 acres, for a wedding or wedding reception with many photo opportunities. The rental rate is $.03 per gross square foot per day so you only pay for what you actually need. The rental rate also includes tables and chairs, depending on inventory at time so schedule ahead. Tonight we spent the majority of our time on the grounds of the Convention Center. One event being held tonight was a Free Outdoor Family Movie which was so appealing. Families and couples alike were curled up on blankets and lawn chairs filled with folks taking advantage of the free movie. Picnic baskets, children giggling and couples snuggling was a sweet sight to see and obviously everyone was enjoying themselves. Not far from the outdoor movie was a very handsome water fountain (Kodak moments here) that leads into an awe-inspiring reflective pond. As we were visiting the water fountain, we found out paddle boats were FREE today for a 15 minute ride on the reflective pond. We definitely had to make time to play on the paddleboats. We stood in a fairly short line where we were dressed in a very heavy-duty safety vest. The guys helping us on the paddle boats were very helpful, friendly and didn't seem to mind the silliness going on between me and my nieces. I came close to falling in but the guys kept this old woman in the boat. We loved the view from the paddleboat, continued laughing at my almost disastrous fall and paddled our way along making great memories. Yet again, another free, fun, family activity. Another exciting use of the grounds are the FREE Outdoor Summer Concert Series every second Saturday of the month for up and coming artists and musicians. Again, FREE FAMILY and PET friendly events, food trucks to make life simpler, and a terrific way to relax as a couple or with your family on a blanket in the park. Or grab a lawn chair, your kids and/or your fur babies and support your up and coming musicians. Oh, and my niece said the upcoming yearly McAllen festival, Palmfest, is always a fun time. Great location surrounded by hotels and restaurants, gorgeous meeting and ballrooms, stunning grounds and not far from Expressway 83. Perfect for a family free event, indoor or outdoor concert to a stunning wedding. read more

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This place must be new. It was very nice inside and the landscape outside was very impressive. I was here for an event for work and they were very helpful when we were setting up and tearing down. read more

McAllen Convention Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - McAllen, Texas

I was recently here for s stand up comedy show. I was a bit disappointed to see how much construction has taken the charm from this place. The security staff were a bit overzealous but the line was still moving. The beer was a bit warm but once the show started the hiccups were soon forgotten. It may not be the best but it is what we have. read more

Major upgrade on the old (60yrs) convention center. Roundabout a pain but pretty Loki g at water features. Addition of several hotels makes this a more usable center for conventions and large meeting. Works great for High School graduations. STFC uses as Venue. read more

A grate place to go walk around for some exercise it's safe relaxing and fun and there's nice bikes u can rent to ride too

This is a really nice venue. I've been here a few time for McAllen Rotary Clubs' "Oktoberfest", and recently for a STFC MMA event that my cousin fought in. There's always plenty of security, and it's just a nice spot. read more

Definitely a great venue for the Valley that is both spacious and beautiful. I graduated from high school at the Convention Center and I took my senior portraits around the landscaped fountain. With the building of two hotels (an Embassy Suites and a La Quinta, I believe) this area is poised to become a hub for social events and conferences. There are a lot of great offerings for restaurants and shopping in the area including a food truck park on weekends. They also offer a new Eco rent-a-bike system reminiscent of the ones available in Houston and Austin! read more

Discover The Dinosaurs at the McAllen Convention Center was disappointing. Way overpriced for what was offered.