Winter Texan Expo
A Tradition Built on Connection
The Winter Texan Expo has been part of the Rio Grande Valley winter season for more than three decades. What began as a way to connect seasonal residents—affectionately known as Winter Texans—with trusted local businesses, healthcare providers, and entertainment has grown into the largest event in South Texas dedicated to the Winter Texan community.
For more than 30 years, the Winter Texan Expo has proudly called McAllen home, becoming a can’t-miss tradition for thousands of Winter Texans returning to the Valley each season.
Before becoming its owners, Welcome Home RGV had been longtime vendors at the Expo—participating year after year and working closely with the very community the event was created to serve. So when the opportunity arose in 2014 to purchase the show from Holly Smith, we jumped at it. In many ways, it felt like a natural next step. Vendors and attendees already viewed the Expo as part of what we did, simply because we were so deeply involved in supporting and connecting the Winter Texan community year-round.
Since then, our goal has been simple: honor the legacy of the Expo while continuing to evolve it in ways that truly serve today’s Winter Texans. Over the years, the event has grown alongside the community—from celebrating long-standing traditions like square dancing to showcasing new services, travel opportunities, and lifestyle resources. Through it all, the heart of the Expo has remained the same: connection, community, and conversation.
In 2024, the Winter Texan Expo reached another exciting milestone by expanding beyond McAllen for the first time, adding a second stop in Brownsville—a reflection of just how far-reaching and vibrant the Winter Texan community has become.
Today, the Winter Texan Expo welcomes thousands of attendees, features more than 100 exhibitors, and continues to serve as a vital economic and social hub for a community that contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the Rio Grande Valley economy.
More than anything, the Winter Texan Expo remains what it has always been: a place where Winter Texans feel welcomed, valued, and right at home.