Minerpalooza Ready to Mine Through 35th Year
EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 3, 2025) – Minerpalooza, The University of Texas at El Paso’s biggest annual celebration, will return on Sept. 5 from 6 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. to bring the Miner Welcome festivities to a close.
This year the event will take place in Centennial Plaza. Admission is free and open to the public.
“At UTEP, Minerpalooza plays a key role in making sure students feel welcomed and supported as they build connections that enrich their college experience,” said Miles Cooper, director of the Student Engagement & Leadership Center. “The event also unites the University with the broader community, nurturing the strong bonds that make both thrive.”
As in previous years, the 35th annual Minerpalooza will feature a fun and eclectic assortment of activities. Showcasing different styles of live music, UTEP’s Battle of the Bands will reach its conclusion. Pete’s playground, a dedicated kids’ area, will also make a return, and for adults over the age of 21, a beer and wine garden will be available for purchasing beverages.
Minerpalooza is also one of the main fundraising events each year for student organizations at UTEP. Tickets for games and activities can be purchased at designated areas. The proceeds contribute to UTEP student groups’ annual initiatives. Ticketed activities range from 1-5 tickets for each play. All purchases are final and will only be available through cash or credit.
This year’s entertainment lineup includes:
DJ Osonus is a dynamic El Paso-based DJ and producer known for blending dubstep, house, deep house and techno. As part of the local Wasted Presents collective, he delivers genre-spanning sets that resonate with electronic music lovers.
The Pie Sisters are an R&B and soul group composed of four sisters whose music blends heartfelt songwriting with rich harmonies.
Luna Luna is the solo project of Colombian-American artist Kavvi, known for crafting a vibrant sound that seamlessly blends his Spanish and English roots. Mixing nostalgic, feel-good synth-pop with a modern indie edge, Luna Luna has become a standout name in the alt-pop and Latin indie scenes.
DJ Technotics, a visionary artist from El Paso, known by day as Jorge Dominguez, does what he does best by night: turning up the beat. He has performed at venues around the city, with Elmont Resort being a major highlight.
The following bands will also go head-to-head in the Battle of the Bands competition: Texas Heart and Acrolein. Make sure to stay until the very end to see who is crowned the winner this year.
For more information on food and beverage options, parking, activities and lineup set times, visit utep.edu/minerpalooza or contact the Student Engagement and Leadership Center at 915-747-5670.
Parking
Free guest parking is located in the following lots and garages:
Schuster Garage
Sun Bowl Garage
ADA guest parking is available in the University 3 lot located next to the Liberal Arts Building.
Clear Bag Policy
Minerpalooza has a clear bag policy. Learn more about what visitors can and cannot bring here.
Special Lightings
To commemorate this special event, the “Mining Minds” pickaxe sculpture, located at UTEP’s University Ave. roundabout, will be lit blue and orange on Friday Sept. 5. Installed in 2010, “Mining Minds” is illuminated blue and orange to celebrate special days, accomplishments and more. Learn more about the artist and the sculpture at utep.edu/miningminds/
The “M” on the mountain across from Sun Bowl Stadium will also be lit in recognition of this annual tradition.
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 25,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on September 03, 2025 at 12:00 AM | Originally published September 03, 2025
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
