Events
January
New Year's Day. There is a transfer of canes
to new officials and various dances at most pueblos. For example, Turtle Dance
at Taos Pueblo (no photography allowed). 800/793-4955 for more information.
Winter Wine Festival, Taos Ski Valley.
Mid-January. A variety of wine offerings and food tastings prepared by local
chefs. 505/776-2291 for details.
¡Magnifico! Albuquerque Festival of the Arts.
This celebration features various visual and performing arts events held
throughout the year. For a schedule of all events, call tel. 505/242-8244.
February
Feb. 2: Candelaria Day Celebration, Picuris
Pueblo. This celebration involves the presentation many traditional dances.
505/587-2519 for more information.
March
National Fiery
Foods/Barbecue Show. Early March.
An opportunity to taste the
hottest and some milder flavors too. A trade show that attracts 10,000 visitors
who taste sauces, salsas, candies, honeys, chips, pestos, nuts, jams, jellies,
snacks, and more, and watch cooking demonstrations. Albuquerque Convention
Center. For information call 505/873-8680.
Rio Grande Arts and
Crafts Festival.
Second week of March. A juried show featuring 200 artists and
craftspeople from around the country takes place at the State Fairgrounds.
505/292-7457 for more information.
April
Easter Weekend
Celebration.
There are dances at most pueblos. Celebrations include Masses, parades, Corn
Dances, and other dances, such as the Bow and Arrow Dance at Nambe. Call
800/793-4955 for information.
Easter Sunday
Celebration,
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque. Traditional dances are performed by
Native Americans. The Easter Bunny attends and holds an egg hunt. 505/843-7270.
American Indian Week,
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque. This week celebrates Native American
traditions and culture. For dates and information, call 505/843-7270.
Gathering of Nations
Powwow, Late
April, University Arena, Albuquerque. At this event, you can see dance
competitions, arts-and-crafts exhibitions, and Miss Indian World contest.
505/836-2810.
May
Memorial Day Weekend
New Mexico Wine and Chile Festival
The Rio Grande Valley is the only location in the
world where Green Chile is grown. This is truly the flavor of the Southwest. At
the chili festivals, devotees pay tribute to this highly addictive, extremely
healthful vegetable.
Cinco de Mayo Fiestas,
statewide. The restoration of the Mexican republic (from French occupation
during 1863-67) is celebrated the first weekend in May in, among other places,
Las Cruces at Old Mesilla Plaza (800/FIESTAS or 505/524-8521); and Truth
or Consequences (800/831-9487 or 505/894-3536).
June
Rodeo de Santa Fe.
Mid-June. At the rodeo grounds (3237 Rodeo Rd., off Cerrillos Road). This
four-day event features a Western parade, a rodeo dance, and five rodeo
performances. It attracts hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls from all over the
Southwest who compete for a sizable purse in such events as Brahma bull and
bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, trick riding, and
clown and animal acts.
San Antonio Feast Day.
June 13. Enjoy Corn
Dances at many of the pueblos. For information, call 505/843-7270.
New Mexico Arts and Crafts
Fair, the last
full weekend in June. The fair is held at the State Fairgrounds. A tradition for
over 40 years, this juried show offers work from more than 200 New Mexico
artisans, accompanied by nonstop entertainment for the whole family. For
information, call 505/884-9043.
July
Santa Fe Opera.
The world-class Santa Fe Opera season runs from the beginning of July to the end
of August. Call 505/986-5955 for more information.
Santa Fe Wine Festival at
Rancho de las Golondrinas.
early July. Live entertainment and wine tastings presided over by hosts dressed
in period clothing. Call tel. 505/892-4178.
Fourth of July Celebrations.
Parades, fireworks, and various other events are held .
August
The Indian Market,
Santa Fe. Third weekend in August. This is the largest all-Native American
market in the country. About 1,000 artisans display their baskets and blankets,
jewelry, pottery, woodcarvings, rugs, sand paintings, and sculptures at rows of
booths. Sales are brisk. Costumed tribal dancing and crafts demonstrations are
scheduled in the afternoon. 505/983-5220.
September
Labor Day weekend:
Hatch Chile Festival.
New Mexico State Fair and
Rodeo, The
Fair and Rodeo, which last 17 days starting in early September, are held at the
State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. Advance tickets can be ordered by calling tel.
505/265-1791. One of America's top state fairs, it features pari-mutuel
horse racing, a nationally acclaimed rodeo, entertainment by top country
artists, Native American and Spanish villages, the requisite midway livestock
shows, and arts and crafts.
Mexican Independence Day.
A parade and dances take place on the weekend closest to September 16 in Las
Cruces at Old Mesilla Plaza (tel. 800/FIESTAS or 505/541-2444) and
Carlsbad at San Jose Plaza (tel. 800/221-1224 or 505/887-6516), with a
rodeo as well in Carlsbad.
October
Rio Grande Arts and Crafts
Festival,
Albuquerque. First and second weekend in October. 505/292-7457. This
event features artists and craftspeople from around the country.
Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta.
second week in October. The world's largest balloon rally, this nine-day
festival brings together more than 750 colorful balloons and includes races and
contests. There are mass ascensions at sunrise, "balloon glows" in the evening,
and balloon rides for those desiring a little lift. Various special events are
staged all week. 800/733-9918
November
Weems Artfest,
A 3-day weekend in early November. State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque.
Approximately 260 artisans, who work in mixed media, come from throughout the
world to attend this fair. It's one of the top 100 arts-and-crafts fairs in the
country. For details, call 505/293-6133.
December
Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta,
Tortugas, near Las Cruces. Pilgrimage to Tortugas Mountain and torchlight
descent, followed by mass and traditional Hispanic dances. December 10 to 12.
Call 505/526-8171 for more information.
Sundown Torchlight Procession
of the Virgin.
Vespers at San Juan, Picuris, Tesuque, Nambé, and Taos Pueblos; Matachine Dances
at Taos Pueblo; and Buffalo Dances at Nambé Pueblo. December 24. For more
information, call 800/793-4955 or 505/852-4265.
Matachines Dances and Other
Dances. On
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many pueblos celebrate with dances. The
Matachines Dances take place at Picuris and San Juan Pueblos on Christmas
morning. Contact 505/852-5265 for dance schedules for these and other pueblos.
