1 Pack Santa’s sleigh. 

Rail Yards Holiday Market, Albuquerque

More than 200 artists, bakers, and makers sell their unique handcrafted goods at this market in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood. This year, it’s happening two weekends in a row (this weekend and next) on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A daytime market dubbed Quiero opens at the Rail Yards during the week in between the two weekend markets, with coffee and brunch treats from Zendo Coffee and afternoon sips and bites by Sidetrack Brewing Company. Quiero also offers a series of holiday-themed workshops, like cookie decorating and tamale making, throughout the week.

Native American Portal Artisans’ Youth Winter Show, Santa Fe

The New Mexico History Museum, in Santa Fe, hosts rising artists during the Native American Portal Artisans’ Youth program’s annual Winter Sale on Saturday and Sunday. The event features Indigenous artists, ages five to 17 years old, who sell their work in the main lobby. These young artists work in an array of mediums, representing the future of Native art, and meld tradition and innovation. The market is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Winter Makers Market at Hotel Willa, Taos

Artists, jewelers, herbalists, and ceramicists set up shop inside the gallery at Hotel Willa this weekend, selling their stunning works just in time for the holidays. The space will be laden with decorations and will feature a live jazz performance by the Kevin Cannon Jazz Trio on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Vendors include mushroom pigment master Boletus Duende, silver adornments by Samantha Platero (Diné), portraits by Taos Tintypes, and beautifully hued ceramics from Yesterday’s Flowers. The market is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Governor’s Holiday Market, Santa Fe

Spend a joyful afternoon at the luxurious Governor’s Mansion in Santa Fe shopping for goods from local makers, many of which are New Mexico True certified artisans. The holiday market is open Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m., and you must ride a shuttle to attend. Catch a bus on the west side of the PERA building, on the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. They run continuously from 2:45 to 7:15 p.m. In addition to shopping, there will be refreshments, caroling, and beautiful holiday decor to set the merry mood. This event is outdoors, so wear warm layers.

German Christmas Market, Albuquerque

The Eurozone Store in Albuquerque transforms into a traditional German Christmas Market for the second annual Christkindlmarkt. Try German treats including breads, cookies, and cakes, warm pretzels, and hot mulled glühwein. Kiddos can take pics with Santa, and the whole family will enjoy the immersive Euro-Christmas experience. It’s open Sunday from 12:30 to 7 p.m.

Luminarias glow and opera fills the air at the National Hispanic Cultural Center during an evening of lights, music, and tradition. Photograph courtesy of Flo Trujillo.

2 Be merry and bright

Luminito Celebration. Albuquerque

Greet the holidays at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, in Albuquerque, on Sunday for the lighting of the giant Luminito sculpture. The 20-foot piece takes its name from the classic New Mexico debate about the proper name for an illuminated paper bag: farolito or luminaria. The debut happens alongside a vendor market where shoppers can enjoy biscochitos, hot sips, and dance performances. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

The Farolitos of Christmas, Albuquerque

Also at the National Hispanic Cultural Center this weekend, a new family-friendly opera by Opera Southwest, The Farolitos of Christmas, takes the stage. Adapted from the children’s book with the same name written by Rudolfo Anaya, the performance captures the unique holiday traditions in New Mexico during its one act. Find showtimes and tickets here.

Visit the Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site, in Mesilla, and see their collection of more than 200 nativity scenes collected by the Taylor family. Photograph courtesy of New Mexico Historic Sites.

3 Step into an open house.

Holidays at the Palace, Santa Fe

A beloved tradition since 1982, the Palace of the Governors’ open house turns the historic building into a cozy, decor-filled space full of holiday cheer, and includes cookies, hot cider, live music, Santa Claus, and a peek at the museum’s antique printing press. It happens in the palace courtyard from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday.

Holiday Open House at the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe 

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum hosts a one-of-a-kind holiday fete with a performance featuring replicas of Gustave Baumann’s marionettes, selfies with Santa in marionette form, a look into the museum’s archives, and live music by David Solem and the Santa Fe Symphony Youth Jazz Project. There will be family-friendly activities and a scavenger hunt throughout the galleries. Find a full schedule here.

Holiday Stroll on Museum Hill, Santa Fe

Make candles, break a piñata, create a holiday card, build a gingerbread house, and participate in communal Christmas cheer at this holiday gathering at the Museum of International Folk Art and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture on Saturday. Both institutions are hosting events, so check here to find out what’s happening where, and when these mini-workshops start.

Nacimientos, Mesilla

Visit the Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site, in Mesilla, and see their collection of more than 200 nativity scenes collected by the Taylor family. The series of holiday open houses, happening Saturday and Sunday both this weekend and next weekend, welcomes visitors to see the nativities set in rooms throughout the historic home. Find tickets here.

Grammy-winning musician Robert Mirabal leads powerful winter concerts celebrating Indigenous culture, music, and family. Photograph courtesy of Taos Center for the Arts.

4 See Indigenous traditions take Taos.

The Taos Center for the Arts hosts Robert Mirabal (Taos Pueblo) a Grammy Award–winning musician and composer for his annual Winter Celebration Concerts presented by ¡Globalquerque! They include appearances from Mirabal’s band, Rare Tribal Mob, and his daughters, vocalists who perform under the moniker The Mirabal Sisters. The concerts mark the holiday season with more than music, presenting important Indigenous traditions like dances, and respect for family and the land. Catch the show Friday and Saturday. Find tickets here.

Yetis, parades, lights, and sweet treats headline Aztec Sparkles during a playful community holiday celebration. Photograph courtesy of the Aztec Chamber of Commerce.

5 Have an Abominable time in Aztec.

“A Very Abominable Christmas” is the theme for the 2025 holiday event Aztec Sparkles on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. Expect a slew of yeti-related activities, including a light parade, the Christmas tree lighting, festive shopping at local businesses, and an Aztec Sparkles open house at the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village. Local spots will host Abominable activities, Santa Claus will make an appearance, and there will be sweet treats and cheer galore.

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