Star on the Mountain

Star on the Mountain

Stay Connected with the Chamber
November 15, 2023 – November 30, 2023 Starlighters

The star is being lit by Lola Pargas and family. In loving memory of Eugenio Pargas. Miss you my Daddy. C U in Heaven 1923 

November 15, 2023

The star is being lit by Family. In loving memory of Donald S. Henderson. We miss our father and grandpa so much!

November 17, 2023

The star is being lit by Bell Family, In loving memory of Lillian Barajas. We love and miss you each and every day.

November 18, 2023

The star is being lit by Alfredo Galindo. In loving memory of Aranda & Galindo Family. A loving husband and father.

November 20, 2023

The star is being lit by George and John. In honor of Nilda J Rivera & Jorge Kareh. 30th ‘Pearl’ Wedding Anniversary.

November 20, 2023

The star is being lit by Luis Quezada and kids. In loving memory of Rebecca Quezada. Love you so much! Forever & Ever Amen.

November 20, 2023

The star is being lit by Orozco & Howlett Family. In loving memory of Dolores “Lolita” Campos. For our beloved grandmother.

November 22, 2023

The star is being lit by El Paso in Austin Network. In honor of 2023 El Paso in Austin Trailblazers. Congratulations for the 2023 Honorees.

November 22, 2023

The star is being lit by The Gaddy Family. In loving memory of Tyler Francis. Tyler you are always remembered!

November 24, 2023

The star is being lit by Toda la Familia. In loving memory of Diego Martinez. A gentle soul. Dad & Gennie embrace him.

November 25, 2023

The star is being lit by 2004-15 Burges Math Educators. In loving memory of Roberto Antonio Fernandez II. For the Beloved Son of Cynthia Denison.

November 26, 2023

The star is being lit by Diana Duron. In loving memory of Mike Almanza. In your memory this 2nd anniversary Mike.

November 28, 2023

The Star is being lit by UTEP College of Health Science. In honor of Martha Rubi Gasca. Congratulations! We are proud of you.

November 30, 2023
Submit a Starlighter Request

Starlighter requests will be closed until December 2023.

If you’ve always wanted to light the Star on the Mountain in El Paso in honor of a loved one’s accomplishments or memory, submit a starlighter request. The cost is $50 for a lighting and certificate. Additional certificates may be purchased for $10. Star lighter announcements will be in the Sunday El Paso Times the week following your lighting. Please note that the El Paso Times listing is done as a courtesy and is not a guarantee. Please submit a request at least 7 days in advance. Multiple lightings announcements may occur on the same day.

Donate to the Star on the Mountain

Submit a Digital Starlighter Request

History of the
Star on the Mountain

The El Paso Electric Company built the first star on the south side of the Franklin Mountains in 1940. At the time it was only 50 feet wide and could barely be seen on the Carlsbad Highway. It also did not last long; a storm blew out most of the bulbs.

Soon after, another star was built bigger and better. It was 403 feet long, 300 feet wide and used 300 light bulbs. More improvements were made in 1946: the length was increased to 492 feet, the width reduced to 278 feet and 492 light bulbs were used. It was then that lighting the “Star on the Mountain” became an El Paso tradition during the Christmas season.

Today the Star has the same dimensions as in 1946. It sits at an angle of 30 degrees and appears to be “perfect” at its focal point at the intersection of Texas and Alameda Avenues. The poles are staggered up and down the mountain for a distance of 459 feet; starting at the mountain top, and run down to a point about 200 feet above Scenic Drive. From its lofty height, the Star may be seen from the east for 100 miles from the air and some 30 miles from the ground. Pilots are known to use the Star as an orientation point.

There are approximately 30 streamers that are hooked onto guy wire cables forming the Star and are pulled into position. Despite some schedule changes, such as during the energy crisis in the ’70s, the star has been lit each and every year since World War II.

In 1980 the Star remained lit for 444 days (until January 21, 1981) during the Iran hostage crisis. In 1990, during the Gulf War, the Star once again remained lit (until August 21, 1991) in support of Fort Bliss and all U.S. troops stationed with Operation Desert Storm.

Through the efforts of the El Paso Chamber and support from private citizens, businesses, and community organizations, the Star on the Mountain now shines bright each and every night at dusk. El Paso is proud of its new image of the ”Star City” in the Lone Star State.