1 Burn him!

Just in time for the 100th burning of Zozobra—which happens next Friday at Fort Marcy Park—the New Mexico History Museum, in Santa Fe, debuts a new exhibition, Zozobra: A Fire That Never Goes Out.

The exhibition, on view through September 30, 2025, explores the giant puppet’s fiery legacy in New Mexico. Since 1924, folks have gathered in Santa Fe to burn the towering effigy stuffed with messages of troubles and despair from the community. As Old Man Gloom goes up in flames, all those worries turn to ash, giving folks a chance to release their anxieties and start anew. “The questions the exhibit asks are, ‘How did this event come to be, and how has it been sustained?” says Hannah Abelbeck, co-curator of Zozobra: A Fire That Never Goes Out. “Overall, it attempts to tell a bit about the history and context of Zozobra and focuses on the community creativity and effort that goes into a big annual celebration.”

The exhibition, which took about six months to curate, features artist renditions of Zozobra, including one by Indigenous artist Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo), a collection of objects on loan from the community, and memorabilia and remains from past Zozobra burnings. “We have an original fire dancer hat from around 1940,” Abelbeck says. “We have pieces of Zozobra that we burned, like some eyes and a fist. Since they were metal, they weren’t fully consumed by the fire, and you can see pieces of the real monster.” Attend the opening reception on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and catch the screening of a new documentary at 6:15 p.m.

Join us at the Bear Festival at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center for a fun and educational day celebrating these special mammals. Photograph courtesy of the Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

2 Have a bear-y good time.

The Bear Festival at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center at the Los Alamos Nature Center celebrates these special mammals and teaches folks how to live alongside them on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Co-hosted by the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation, the fest includes fun bear-centric games and info booths teaching attendees how to keep both bears and humans safe. A mostly outdoor event taking over the center’s parking lot, it’s a fun and educational way to spend a late summer day.

3 Laugh it off.

Your cheeks may hurt from laughter after the Collective Embarrassment Improv show at the Range in Las Cruces on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Collective Embarrassment troupe plays improv games that keep the actors thinking on their feet, which makes for some hilarious moments, dialogue, and interactions.

Get ready for the third annual Cruces Car Show Fiesta in Las Cruces, featuring classic rides, sports cars, lowriders, local vendors, food trucks, and kids’ activities. Photograph courtesy of 575 Cars.

4 Get revved up for a car show.

Peep sweet rides at the third annual Cruces Car Show Fiesta in Las Cruces on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The party brings classic rides, souped-up sports cars, and lowriders plus local vendors, food and beverage trucks, and kids’ activities to the Sisbarro Buick GMC car lot. “The events are community oriented,” says Jeff Jansen, president of 575 Car Events, who oversees the fiesta. “We have a very large area for kids, a scavenger hunt, games and prizes, face painting, and a bounce house.” In addition to all the fun, Jansen expects between 200 and 300 rad rides.

"Pueblo Revolt," a new play by Dillon Christopher Chitto, explores the historic 1680 uprising in New Mexico through the lives of two Indigenous brothers, blending history with Indigenous Futurism and humor. Photograph courtesy of Dwight Yoakam.

5 Turn up the music.

Dwight Yoakam & The Mavericks take to the outdoor stage at Kit Carson Park, in Taos, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Yoakam, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, headlines this end-of-summer concert in the park. The Mavericks, longtime country rockers who might just be one of New Mexico’s favorite acts, open the evening. The event is rain or shine and lawn chairs are welcome.  

Read more: For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.