Communities along the Northern Rio Gange National Heritage Area offer lively events and activities year-round. This is a partical list of major events in Rio Arriba, Taos and Santa Fe counties. For more events and additional details, check out the arts and entertainment supplements published by the Taos News and the Santa Fe New Mexican.
August
Aug. 30
The 100th Burning of Zozobra. Let your negativity go up in smoke with the annual burning of the 50-foot tall “Old Man Gloom.”
Aug. 30–31
The second Andrea Magee’s She Rises Music Festival, an all-female music and art festival benefiting Music Helps Foundation.
September
Labor Day Weekend
The 312th Fiestas de Santa Fe, including the annual burning of Zozobra on Aug. 30 followed by parades, music on the plaza, a fine arts and crafts market, and other events.
Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance with Americana, country, folk and bluegrass music.
Sept. 5–7
Chama Valley Art Festival
September 13-15 & 21-22
The Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area’s 2nd Annual Cultures & Creators Visual Arts Festival at the Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde, celebrates the rich culture and heritage of Northern New Mexico with both traditional and contemporary art forms.
Sept. 13–14
Blossoms & Bones Ghost Ranch Music Festival. Two days of music, camping and glamping, food, and libations in Abiquiú.
Sept. 14–15
The 16th annual Santa Fe Renaissance Fair at El Rancho de las Golondrinas living history museum, just south of Santa Fe in La Cienega.
Sept. 25–29
The 33rd Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta with 60 participating restaurants and 90 wineries, wine seminars, chef luncheons, cooking demos, auctions and more.
Sept. 26–29
Aspencade festival in Red River with live music and artisan craft vendors.
Sept. 27–Oct. 6
The 50th Taos Fall Arts Festival, the town’s oldest arts festival, with exhibitions, talks, an awards party and more.
October
Oct. 3–6
The PASEO 2024, a free and energetic festival at Kit Carson Park in Taos, featuring performance art, installations, interactive arts, live music and more.
Oct. 5–6
The second Taos Wools Festival celebrating fiber artists, ranchers and sheep at Revolt Gallery in Taos.
Oct. 5–6
The 52nd Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, just south of Santa Fe in La Cienega, with all the living history museum’s programs and activities in full swing, plus local foods, talks and demonstrations.
Oct. 11–13
The 19th Oktoberfest in Red River featuring the best craft beer, wines, spirits, artisans, food vendors, live entertainment, contests, and more.
Oct. 12–13
The 30th Abiquiú Studio Tour, a self-guided driving tour that takes visitors and collectors through the village of Abiquiú and the surrounding Chama River Valley.
Oct. 12–20
"Stone Sculptures in the Landscape" Open House feauring Northern New Mexico stone carvers at Studio Santiago and Gallery, 232 Camino de Santiago, Taos.
Oct. 16–20
Santa Fe International Film Festival, with screenings, panels, parties and awards. santafe.film
Oct. 21–22
Oktoberfest at Taos Ski Valley with a traditional Schuhplattler band, fun activities and competitions, activities and crafts for kids and plenty of German food and beer.
Oct. 24–28
15th Fred Harvey History Weekend with history talks, a “historically delicious” Fred Harvey Foodie Dinner & Auction, and other exciting events.
Oct. 25–27
The 41st Taos Mountain Balloon Rally with morning mass ascensions, live music, arts, crafts and food vendors, a “trick-or treat” balloon glow, and more.
November
Nov. 2–3
The 43rd Dixon Studio Tour, touted as the “the longest continually running studio tour in New Mexico.”
Nov. 8–10
The 25th Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival and Trash Fashion & Costume Contest at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.
Thanksgiving weekend
Typical opening of regional ski areas, which remain open through March. skinewmexico.com
November–New Year’s Day
Yuletide in Taos in the Historic District of Taos and surrounding areas.
December
Dec. 8
Free staging of Las Posadas on the Santa Fe Plaza, 5:30-8 p.m.
Dec. 13
Christmas at the Palace includes free hot cider, live music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Palace of the Governors on the Santa Fe Plaza. nmhistorymuseum.org
Christmas Eve
Farolito Walk in Santa Fe’s Canyon Road neighborhood.
Christmas Eve at Taos Puebl.
Cumbres & Toltec Christmas Trains in Chama, dates TBD
January through August
All dates for 2025 are TBA
Pueblo religious dances and ceremonies at Northern New Mexico’s Eight Pueblos — Taos, Picuris, Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan), Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Nambé, Pojoaque, and Tesuque. indianartsandculture.org/42
January
Not Forgotten Military Appreciation Ski Week at Taos Ski Valley. Military members and families get discounts on lift tickets, rentals, lessons, hot cocoa, snacks and more! taoswinterwinefest.com
February
Taos Winter Wine Festival, a celebration with seminars, wine tastings, and dinners hosted by vintners paired with Taos chefs. taoswinterwinefest.com
April
Taos Spring Arts celebrating art, culture and music. Enjoy Taos' creativity with museum exhibitions, art shows, video and more. taosartscouncil.org
Taos School of Music & Chamber Music Festival. Elite young artists come to Taos to study chamber music. Faculty and Young Artists present concerts in Taos and Taos Ski Valley. taosschoolofmusic.com
May
El Rito Studio Tour. Visit local artists in their workshops or studios, and get a close-up view into what they do — abstract painters, ceramicists, landscape oil painters, photographers, or mixed media artists. elritoartassociation.org/studio-tour
Red River’s Mayfest in the Mountains over Memorial Day weekend embraces family-friendly activities and pays tribute to veterans through cultural engagements. redriver.org
Native Treasures Art Market and Auction. Every year over Memorial Day weekend, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) hosts a spectacular line-up of over 200 Indigenous artists at the Santa Fe Convention Center. santafe.com
Taos Opera Institute presents free performances at venues throughout the community. Promising young artists and emerging professionals travel to Taos to take part and perform. taosoi.org
June
Taos Plaza Live concert series featuring free live music every Thursday. The alcohol-free series showcases local New Mexican bands. taos.org
Rodeo de Santa Fe. Hard core rodeo enthusiasts will tell you it’s one of the best live shows in the state, and still remains one of the top 60 PRCA Rodeos in the nation. rodeodesantafe.org
Santa Fe Opera. One of America's premier summer opera festivals offers stellar performances under a starry Santa Fe sky with beautiful music, compelling drama and stunning sunsets. santafeopera.org
July
Taos Pueblo Pow Wow. Members of Indian tribes throughout the country gather in Taos for this three-day Pow Wow to compete in traditional dances. taospueblo.com
Las Fiestas de Taos is a celebration of Spanish culture featuring music, food, parades, markets & dance. fiestadetaos.com
International Folk Art Market. Santa Fe hosts the world’s largest exhibition and sale of works by master folk artists. folkartmarket.org
Traditional Spanish Market presented by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society. The oldest and largest juried art show of its kind in the nation. nmheritagearts.org
August
Española Lowrider Association Summer Fest. Find on Facebook.
Santa Fe Indian Market. Hundreds of artists showcasing an incredible variety of art forms over 12 city blocks. swaia.org
Taos Studio Tour is a great excuse to wander the relaxed back roads of the famously funky and beautiful mountain town of Taos. taosartistorg.org
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