by Kyla Romero on
1 Have a wild weekend.
Step into a village frozen in time for Old Lincoln Days and The Last Escape of Billy the Kid pageant. The village of Lincoln is the state’s most visited historic site, and for a good reason. “The town was kind of an anchor for the broader development of southeastern New Mexico,” says Oliver Horn, regional manager of Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic Sites. Despite its violent history during the Lincoln County War, Lincoln remains one of the best-preserved Old West towns in the country.
The weekend features living history, reenactments, live music, family activities, hands-on exhibitions, a parade, vendors, and lectures exploring the dramatic history of the Lincoln County War and its connection to one of the most infamous characters of the Wild West, Billy the Kid. On Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m., catch the oldest folk pageant in the U.S., The Last Escape of Billy the Kid, performed by the residents of Lincoln. “The performance is unlike anything else that I’ve seen in New Mexico,” says Horn.
Every evening also includes a screening of the 1988 film Young Guns inside the historic Lincoln County Courthouse, a place where several of the events in the movie took place. Don’t miss the reveal of the newly restored Torreón watchtower. Not only was it a refuge for townspeople during the Lincoln County War, it was the first structure acquired and restored by the state of New Mexico in the 1930s. “It’s a celebration of not just the town’s history, but the community today,” says Horn. Purchase your tickets for Old Lincoln Days and the pageant in advance or on site.
2 Experience Native tradition and culture.
Running through Sunday, the Gallup InterTribal Indian Ceremonial honors more than a century of Native culture, artistry, and tradition. Become a part of the annual event at Red Rock Park with a lineup that includes a vendor marketplace, amphitheater performances, rodeos, Gourd dancing, La Danza de los Voladores, a powwow, a 5K fun walk and run, and traditional night performances with participants from 17 tribes and pueblos. Browse the art show for authentic jewelry, rugs, paintings, and more. Don’t miss signature events such as the Miss GITIC and Little Miss Coronation on Friday, the parade on Saturday, and Sunday’s Rodeo Top 10 Short Round and Amigo Automotive Old School Days Rodeo. View the full schedule and get your tickets here.
3 Take an art tour.
Kick off Gallery ABQ’s First Friday ARTScrawl with the opening reception for Sandia Heights Artists, a preview exhibition for September’s 23rd annual Sandia Heights Artist Tour. The show features works by the 40 artists participating in the tour, which promotes and elevates visual artists in the foothills of the Sandía Mountains. Friday’s reception spotlights featured artists Ameila Myer and Marcos O. Reyna, both known for their vivid palettes. Meet the artists and get a first look of the tour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Discover the history and creativity of the former mining town during the Questa Art Tour on Saturday and Sunday. Spend the day touring 20 stops that feature more than 50 local artists. The self-guided tour begins in downtown Questa, winds east toward Carson National Forest, and continues north with sweeping views of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Stops include private art studios, pop-up shops, and easily accessible community venues. Venture off during one of the stops to the San Antonio de Padua Church on Questa’s Historic Plaza, where a local historian shares the unique history of how Questa’s art brought the community together. To celebrate the tour’s 11th year, the event showcases a wide range of artists and makers, including furniture-makers, glass artists, potters, leather workers, paper quilling artists, knitters, and so much more. View the full map here.
2026 Summer Arts and Crafts Fair
Experience downtown Los Alamos during the 2026 Summer Arts and Crafts Fair, presented by the Los Alamos Arts Council at the Fuller Lodge Lawn. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., browse more than 100 local and regional artists showcasing crafts, fine art, food, cosmetics, jewelry, clothing, decor, and more. Whether you are looking for a new piece of art for your wall or a bracelet for your wrist, the fair has you covered. The event is free and offers the perfect excuse to explore the rest of downtown Los Alamos.
4 Cool down with a frosty mug.
Cheers to nearly a decade of recognizing and uplifting local craft beer at the Santa Fe Beer Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. The annual festival features a weekend of artisan vendors, food trucks, and a tasty lineup from local breweries. Participating breweries include Blue Dragonfly Brewing, Little Toad Creek Brewing and Distillery, Boxing Bear Brewing Co., Nuckolls Brewing Co., and many more. While tasting some of the best brews in New Mexico, enjoy live music from the Desert Darlings, Christina Gomez y los Cuates, and Big Suitcase. The museum is also open for visitors to explore and observe the rich history of New Mexico. For the full experience, visitors can purchase VIP tickets that include access to a lounge, private beer tastings, appetizers, and more. Purchase Tickets here.
5 Reflect on the Golden Years of space history.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the New Mexico Museum of Space History during the opening reception for To Build a Space Museum: Sketches, Schemes, and the Museum We Know. Throughout the years, the museum has connected visitors with the people, places, and achievements that shaped New Mexico’s role in space history.
The temporary exhibition explores the story of Charles E. Nolan, Jr.’s dream to create an International Space Hall of Fame through original sketches and photographs documenting the museum’s construction and 1976 topping-out ceremony. “This was a full community effort from the start, and not just from Alamogordo, but from numerous towns from New Mexico and surrounding states such as Texas,” says Brianna Buller, curator supervisor of the museum. The opening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. is free, and guests 21 and over can enjoy wine and beer from Johnny Carino’s.