1 Make spirits bright.

Evening of Lights, Aztec

LED lanterns line the walls and roofs of the Aztec Ruins National Monument during this annual celebration of the holiday season. Open 6–8 p.m. Friday, it’s a chance to see the ancient structures bathed in the sweet glow of farolitos.

Lighting Ledoux, Taos

Historic Ledoux Street in Taos becomes a holiday delight on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. during this annual celebration featuring caroling, farolitos, and little bonfires. The block party includes performances from local musical ensembles, including Mariachi El Tigre and the Taos High School Choir. Ledoux area businesses stay open late for the event, including the Harwood Museum of Art, which hosts a selection of artists from northern New Mexico, such as Samantha Platero (Diné), whose jewelry company, Dineh, features silver designs combining traditional and contemporary aesthetics, and whimsical painter Alida Martinez.

Riverglo, Farmington

A live nativity scene, carolers singing holiday tunes, and thousands of luminarias lighting the pathway make Farmington’s Riverglo a cheery time along the Animas River in Farmington a cheery time. Happening 6–8 p.m. Friday, the event offers hot cider, hot chocolate, and popcorn for sale, which celebrators can enjoy while watching performances from local schools and choir groups.

Twinkle Light Parade, Albuquerque

Central Avenue in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill fills with holiday cheer during this annual parade, which includes more than 4,000 Duke City residents and 250 vehicles, starting at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. Expect floats, Santa, tons of lights, and holiday-themed performances by local school groups. Streets in the area close around 3 p.m. for the festivities and to allow shoppers to browse local shops.

Festival of Lights Parade, Ruidoso

One of the best things about the holidays is gathering with people you love, and that’s the point of this parade in midtown Ruidoso on Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 2025 theme is “Muppets Christmas,” so expect to see some of your favorite characters appearing on light-covered floats. After the parade, head to Wingfield Park for a festive party with ice skating and the debut of the Christmas Lights Trail.

Electric Light Parade, Las Vegas

Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, see a flotilla of holiday-themed displays in this Christmas parade in Las Vegas. The route begins at the corner of Second Street and Baca Street and ends at Plaza Park.

Luminaria Display, Farmington

A radiant display of holiday joy, the 47th annual Luminaria Display comes to the campus of San Juan College on Saturday. Thousands of paper lanterns line walkways, roofs, and courtyards at the college in Farmington, which welcomes everyone to enjoy the distinctly New Mexican tradition. There are both walking and driving routes, the former opens at 5 p.m. and the latter at 6 p.m. Local radio station KSJE 90.9 FM will be onsite playing Christmas tunes, and you can enjoy hot treats from Mary’s Kitchen until 7 p.m.

Winter Letters & Farolito Tour, Fort Sumner

Decorate sugar cookies, take a ranger-guided storytelling tour, and see the moving Bosque Redondo Memorial at the Fort Sumner Historic Site lit by farolitos on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be pork posole and bizcochitos for sale, a performance by singer/songwriter Audra Brown, and a chance to hear archival stories from Diné oral histories. Buy tickets here.

Find handmade gifts, festive treats, and local art during the Old Town Shop & Stroll. Photograph courtesy of City of Albuquerque.

2 Shop local.

Old Town Shop & Stroll, Albuquerque

Kick off the holiday shopping season at this event in Old Town Albuquerque. A towering 30-foot sequoia tree in Plaza Don Luis gets its lights turned on at 6 p.m., followed by music from Mariachi Luna de Plata. Local shops stay open, welcoming shoppers with their own holiday decor and a Santa’s sleighful of gifting options, while other performers, while the Mountain View Mennonite Church choir and other performers serenade.

Winter Spanish Market, Santa Fe

This weekend, the Santa Fe Community Convention Center hosts artists who work in traditional Spanish colonial mediums—such as tinwork, retablos, and colcha embroidery—during the winter iteration of Spanish Market. More than 40 artists have booths showcasing their work, making a wonderful place to get a unique gift for your loved ones—or yourself. It’s open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday.

Caroling & Holiday Market at Iconik Red, Santa Fe

Grab some caffeine and shop a selection of goods from local makers at this Santa Fe coffee shop. Taking over the Cerrillos Road location, the holiday gathering includes a performance by the Santa Fe Opera’s Young Voices choral group. It’s open 3–6 p.m. Saturday, with treats and eats themed for the holiday.

Christmas Market, Artesia

Yucca Blossom Trade Days hosts markets in Artesia throughout the year, and their special Christmas Market takes over the Artesia Center on Saturday and Sunday. Shop locally made goods including soaps, scents, clothing, beaded necklaces, dog toys, ceramics, pies, and much more. It takes over the Artesia Center on Saturday and Sunday.

Totah Fine Arts Winter Market, Farmington

More than 20 artists from the annual Totah Market sell their creations at the Farmington Museum during the Native arts market’s first-ever winter edition. It’s open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with artists decorating their booths for the holidays. Attendees can vote for their favorite booth décor.

Winter Native Arts Market, Bernalillo

The Coronado Historic Site in Bernalillo hosts a holiday market on Sunday. Featuring Native artists, it’s a chance to see a stunning historic space and support Indigenous arts.

The Red Rock Balloon Rally fills the Gallup skies with hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons rising beside the dramatic red cliffs.

3 Watch balloons take Gallup.

Hundreds of hot air balloons rise in the skies over Gallup this weekend during the annual Red Rock Balloon Rally, which draws hot-air balloon enthusiasts from throughout the country. Unlike other balloon rallies, this one sets the massive aircrafts against the stunning cliffs at the park in Church Rock. The event runs Friday through Sunday, including mass ascensions and a balloon glow. Find a full schedule and tickets on the event’s website.

Learn to craft your own ristra using dried chiles and flowers during a hands-on workshop at Calhoun Flower Farms. Photograph courtesy of Calhoun Flower Farms.

4 Make your own (New Mexican) decorations.

Ristras decorate walls and doorways throughout the Land of Enchantment, especially during the holidays when their vibrant red color helps bring the joy of Christmas to our adobe homes and businesses. On Sunday, you can learn to make your own ristra, and decorate it with dried flowers during a ristra-making workshop at Calhoun Flower Farms in Socorro. The two-hour class will teach the students the process from start to finish, meaning you will leave with your  own handmade ristra. Find tickets and more info here.

Make a one-of-a-kind holiday card or ornament using vintage New Mexico Magazine pages at the New Mexico History Museum.

5 Create a spirited card or ornament—from the pages of our magazine!  

Get crafty and make a one-of-a-kind holiday card and/or ornament using clippings from vintage issues of New Mexico Magazine at the New Mexico History Museum, in Santa Fe. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, take a seat at the crafting station and use provided materials to create something unique and handmade for your loved ones. This event is upcycling at its best, and a chance to see some cool nostalgic content and advertisements from bygone times too.

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