Things to do / Travel Guide
This region is rife with annual cultural events, from fairs, to art expos, to Native American cultural events.
January
Ceremonial dances are held over the first week of the year in pueblos throughout northern New Mexico. One of the most prominent would be the Turtle Dance held on January 1st each year at the historic and beautiful Taos Pueblo.
For 20 years in mid-January the Taos ski valley has been home to the Winter Wine Festival, which features a wide range of wines from all over the world and culinary delights prepared by local chefs. The two week festival features over 40 wineries and more than 200 types of wine. Considered one of the best wine festivals in the country, admission can be pretty expensive (around $35 to attend a tasting).
February
The traditional tribal dances held each February as part of Candelaria Day Celebration in Picuris Pueblo outside of Taos are a renowned cultural event showcasing the spirituality of local Native Americans.
Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? How about cross-country ski while wolfing down gourmet food? In late February, Red River, New Mexico, hosts the Just Desserts Eat and Ski where skiers can take to the trails of the nearby Enchanted Forest Ski Area and be treated to local delicacies as they venture down the trails. If you're so inclined, try your hand at the course, or just hang out and cheer on the skiers while you pilfer some of the snacks for yourself. The event is free, and runs from noon to 2 p.m.
March
Do you suffer from severe sinus problems? Do you have a serious addiction to ridiculously spicy foods? In either case, make your way to the Albuquerque Convention Center in early March for the National Fiery Foods Barbecue Show. Join over 10,000 other tamale tasters who come each year to sample the spicy foods and take in the cooking demonstrations. If you don't like your food too spicy, there is more than enough mild food available as well, we just can't guarantee you won't get laughed at. The event costs about $10 for adults and is free for children under 12.
April
April is just about the greatest time of year to witness the splendor of the region's Native American heritage with two of the largest Native American cultural events in the country. The annual American Indian Week at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque brilliantly showcases the rich history of the region's tribes. Later in April, Albuquerque is home to yet another Native American cultural event as the Gathering of the Nations Powwow hits the University Arena. Over 3,000 indigenous dancers and singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to compete and socialize at the event, but we'd be lying if we didn't admit the big draw of the gathering might be the Miss Indian World Contest.
May
Save your appetite for the first Tuesday in May, as the Taste of Santa Fe Festival brings together the greatest chefs in town for a world-class food expo at Santa Fe's historic La Fonda Hotel. Tickets to the event are $25, but you shouldn't have too much trouble eating your money's worth before the afternoon is over.
The Taos Spring Arts Festival, held for two weeks every May, is an annual Spring showcase of the best artists that the regional arts scene has to offer. The festival is great for the whole family with events that cater to all ages. Visual, performing, and literary arts are all on display in addition to live music, ethnic entertainment, and dramatic performances. This two-week series of events around town is free for all.
June
The 4-day Rodeo de Santa Fe in late June is a Western extravaganza featuring a rodeo dance, Western parade, and 5 rodeo performances. A PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America) sanctioned event, the big guns of rodeo from all over the country make their way down for the event, and whether its your first rodeo or you're an old hand, its worth checking out one of the sport's bigger annual events. General admission is about $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. If you're in need of box seats expect to pay $15-$20.
The Kit Carson Municipal Park in Taos is the scene of the annual Taos Solar Music Festival in late June, where musicians from around the country come to perform at the event celebrating the summer solstice. A festival devoted solely to solar energy, the stage itself is powered by solar energy, and all aspects of this form of energy are described within the educational “Solar Village.” Tickets are about $15 for adults and free for children 10 and under.
July
In addition to the lively 4th of July celebrations occurring throughout the region, events celebrating the Hispanic culture of the region are highlights of July. During the third weekend of the month Taos hosts the Fiestas de Santiago y Santa Ana. This event features parades, arts and crafts, food expos, and the crowning of the fiesta queen. Admission to this community event is free of charge.
Over 300 Hispanic artists from across the region make their way to Santa Fe the last weekend of July for the town's famous annual Spanish Market. Traditional Hispanic music, dance, and food are highlights of this community event rich in pageantry. Tons of locally produced artwork is available at the event, which is housed in the perfect location, the Santa Fe Plaza, in downtown Santa Fe.
August
In the third weekend of August in the Santa Fe Plaza, the Indian Market, the country's largest all-Native American art event, features over 1,000 artisans displaying and selling their original wares. Full-costume ceremonial dances are performed each afternoon at this important and lively annual cultural event. Admission to the festival is free, but try to book a hotel as far ahead of time as possible to ensure that you have somewhere to sleep.
Angel Fire, New Mexico, is the home each year to the Music from Angel Fire Festival. Featuring classical and chamber music, the festival attracts world-class musicians from all over to the town in mid-August. Admission to the nightly concerts will set you back about $25.
September
The famous and spirited La Fiesta de Santa Fe occurs the weekend after Labor Day and claims to be the oldest community celebration in the United States. The annual event has been celebrated since 1712, only 20 years after the region was settled by the Spanish. Special masses and parades, mariachi concerts, dances, and the arts are all featured throughout the downtown plaza. Oh, by the way, there's also more great food than you could even attempt to sample. One of the highlights of the event is the burning of Zozobra, the famous local effigy, an annual sacrifice meant to strengthen the community. Most of the events are free, but admission to special shows, like the mariachi concerts and native dances, can run between $10-$15.
Lovers of classic cars and hot rods make their way each labor day weekend to Alamosa, Colorado, for the annual Early Iron Festival. A local tradition for over 20 years, it sees over 300 classic cars and hot rods and thousands of spectators invade downtown over the 3-day Labor Day weekend.
The New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo, which takes place over two full weeks in early September, is one of the biggest state fairs in the country. A massive, fun-filled midway, re-created Native American and Spanish villages, and livestock shows are all highlights of the state fair. The horse-raising and PRCA sponsored rodeo are both major draws, as are the nightly concerts by some of Country music's biggest stars like Tracy Lawrence, as well as music favorites like Los Lobos. Admission is only $5 for adults and $3 for children.
The last week in September Santa Fe hosts the lively Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, which features 5 days of wine and food, seminars, cooking demonstrations, and a golf tournament. As you would expect from a summer wine and food festival in Santa Fe, it gets awfully crowded and tickets can sell out quick, try to reserve yours early. Tickets are purchased separately for each daily event, which often combine outdoor excursions with food demonstrations. Because so much is offered, tickets can be quite expensive, often running over $100 for a single day event.
October
It wouldn't be October without the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This festival claims to be the world's largest hot air balloon festival, it fills the skies above the desert floor with nearly 800 hot air balloons in some of the most gorgeous and impressive colors, shapes, and sizes. Events are held nightly on the grounds of Balloon Fiesta Park on the Northern outskirts of Albuquerque.
Rich in pageantry and spectacle, the annual U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show brings over 80,000 spectators to Albuquerque each year in late October. This unique event features thousands of the world's finest Arabian horses, daily riding shows, and a large arts and crafts fair. Daily admission to this engaging equestrian event are around $10, and well worth it.
November
Beginning after Thanksgiving and running until the New Year, the annual Yuletide in Taos celebrates the holidays and northern New Mexico's traditions, culture, and arts. Art and cultural exhibitions are constant throughout the town, which, at this time of year, takes on a very charming and festive holiday flavor. Most of the events consist of neighborhood functions and a general holiday spirit, which is, of course, free. Art and cultural exhibitions change annually and typically run no more than $5-$10 per event.
December
The wintertime companion to July's bigger event, the Winter Spanish Market comes to the Sweeney Convention Center in Santa Fe the first weekend of December. On a smaller scale than the Summer mega-event, it's also a lot less crowded with the added bonus of taking place in the enchanting Santa Fe winter, close enough to the holidays to get some of your gift shopping done. A one-day pass to the event costs around $5 for adults (under 16 free), while a 4-day pass runs about $20.
Also, in Santa Fe, The Canyon Road Farolito Walk finds locals and visitors venturing out into the cold and strolling down Canyon Road, where the rooftops are lined with candle lamps (farolitos). Musicians perform and carolers stroll around in the evening, serenading the neighborhood. It's truly a charming and one-of-a kind community event to take part in.
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