Due to inclement weather, the festival has closed early.

Sensory-Friendly

Sensory-Friendly
Experience

The Museums & Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) is continuing to add sensory-friendly experiences to Chalk the Block after first piloting this program for the 2023 festival. Quiet hours from10am-12pm on both days of the festival provide a lower-sensory event experience, allowing participants to enjoy the same Chalk the Block in a calmer atmosphere. In 2024, we introduced additional inclusive programming that welcomed participants of all abilities while including noisier environments. For the first time, the festival also included vertical chalking opportunities through a Community Chalk Mural at the El Paso Museum of Art.

Alongside our Museums and other partners, MCAD is excited to continue this work at our 18th Annual Chalk the Block! To learn more, check out this video from the City of El Paso!

Students drawing a beatiful woman on the sidewalk with chalk
Bubbles you can walk in that are lit up with designs.

Festival Activities

  • Quiet Hours from 10am-12pm throughout the festival footprint. Music stages will not be activated during these hours. While we will aim to create a low-sensory atmosphere during these hours, please be aware that some outdoor spaces may still have noise from loud voices and external factors.
  • Silent Disco at San Jacinto Plaza. From10am-12pm on Saturday and Sunday, stop by San Jacinto Plaza for a quiet dance party! Individual headphones will allow each participant to enjoy music only they can hear.
  • Installation workshop from Lyre ’72 at San Jacinto Plaza. Drop in from 10am-12pm to learn how to weave paracord with the installation artist.
  • Giant lawn games at Cleveland Square Park. From 10am-12pm on Saturday and Sunday, have fun with these large games.

Museum Activities

El Paso Museum of Art

  • Blockprinting activity (Judy Robison Terrace, 10am-12pm Saturday and Sunday, drop-in)
  • Low-sensory mural painting with Christin Apodaca (Main Street, 10am-12pm Saturday and Sunday, please register for sessions here)

El Paso Museum of History

  • DIY fuse bead keychains (EPMH, 10am-12pm Saturday and Sunday, while supplies last, drop-in)
  • Rock painting activity from El Paso Museum of Archaeology (Pavilion, 10am-12pmSaturday)

El Paso Mexican American Cultural Center

  • Lights Off! Sensory Room (Dance Studio, 10am-10pm Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday, drop-in)
  • Sensory-friendly watercolor (Art Classroom, 10am-12pm Saturday and Sunday)
People standing around the Art museum courtyard.
Girl drawing a bird on the sidewalk.

Sensory Kits & Other Helpful Items

The El Paso Museum of History and the Mexican American Cultural Center will have sensory kits available, along with quiet rooms. Ask at the front desk for information on both.

At the MCAD info tent near Cleveland Square Park, staff will have chalk holders and noise-dampening headphones available.

At the site of the Chalk Art Competition in Cleveland Square Park, staff will be happy to provide verbal descriptions of Chalk Art competition pieces.

Pre-Visit Guide

Festival and Museum staff have prepared a pre-visit guide that individuals, groups, and families can use to prepare for a visit to the event. The guide includes descriptions of the various activities available at Chalk the Block, photos of previous festivals for reference, and images that will be found throughout the footprint.

View the Guide