1 Party Mardi Gras–style.

If you can’t make it to New Orleans, get thee to Red River, which annually celebrates Mardi Gras in the Mountains. The six-day fete includes traditional fanfare such as colorful beads, raucous concerts, and a parade filled with costumes, music, and stunning floats. The 2026 theme is Masquerade, with events happening around town from February 12 through February 17. Expect a grand ball and Cajun dinner, children’s and Main Street parades on Saturday, a drink-making contest, a costume contest, and more.

Watch Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company perform an evening of taditional and contemporary flamenco in Silver City. Photograph courtesy of NIF/Thaïs Coy.

2 See flamenco light the stage in Silver City.

Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, led by Joaquín Encinias, performs at Western New Mexico University’s Fine Arts Center Theater in Silver City on Friday evening. The company, which is based in Albuquerque, is part of a vast flamenco network headed by the Encinias family. Since its inception in 1999, Yjastros has been known for pushing the art form to new heights by combining traditional choreography with groundbreaking techniques. See the group take the stage at 7 p.m. Find tickets here.

Explore outdoor gear, wildlife calling contests, and expert-led sessions on hiking, hunting, and birding at the New Mexico Outdoors Adventures Show. Photograph courtesy of New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.

3 Get ready for spring in nature.

Outdoor enthusiasts won’t want to miss the massive market at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque this weekend. The New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show features vendors selling tons of adventure gear, calling contests showcasing elk bugles and turkey calls, and informative sessions on things like hiking essentials, birding, hunting, and calling techniques. It runs Friday through Sunday; find a full schedule on the event’s website.

Sample wines from top New Mexico vintners, browse local vendors, and enjoy food trucks and live music during Vines in the Pines. Photograph courtesy of Ruidoso.

4 Savor a sip in the mountains.

The annual Vines in the Pines wine festival returns to the Ruidoso Convention Center with offerings from some of New Mexico’s most impressive vintners. In addition to tastings, the festival includes more than 30 local vendors, food trucks, and live music. It’s a great chance to try something new and take home a bottle of your favorite. Catch it Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Get tickets here. 

Take a 20-minute horse-drawn carriage ride through Cerrillos with Turquoise Hills Riding Co. for scenic desert views. Photograph courtesy of Turquoise Hills Riding Co.

5 Celebrate Valentine’s Day around the state.

Galentines’ Workshop, Albuquerque

This inclusive event invites girls, guys, and gays to ABQ Collective on Saturday afternoon. Starting at 1 p.m., attendees will make candles and enjoy a heart-opening yoga session. The love-filled afternoon is a collaboration between the candle company Bad Moon on the Rise and Salty Blossom Yoga, both  located inside ABQ Collective. Stacey Brewer, owner of Bad Moon on the Rise, says it’s all about having a good time. “Gals gotta be represented,” she says. “This is for anyone who doesn’t have a date, or who wants to do something fun with their friends.” The class will offer a chance to make your own seven-ounce candle with a scent and label designed by you. “We will have love-themed scents,” Brewer says. “Think rose, cinnamon, and chocolate.” After candle-making, participants will enjoy a yoga class, suitable for all levels. If you miss out on this event, keep an eye on Bad Moon on the Rise’s social media and website for more candle-making courses in 2026. Sign up here.

Romantic Carriage Rides, Cerrillos

Snuggle up in a vintage horse-drawn carriage in Cerrillos on Saturday, where Turquoise Hills Riding Co. offers rides to lovers every half hour starting at 10 a.m. The 20-minute ride will give Valentines a great view of the surrounding desert landscapes. Make a reservation online.

Valentine’s Day Crafting, Ruidoso

Spend time creating giftable goods at this crafty morning at the Wingfield Heritage House Museum in Ruidoso. Attendees can make pressed-flower bookmarks, tea blends, Valentine’s cards, and more to give to loved ones or keep for themselves. The craft time is 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Late Night Date Night, Santa Fe

Visit the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. for an after-hours Valentine’s Day event. Explore the galleries, enjoy boozy sips from a cash bar by Boxcar, and make Valentine’s Day cards with printmaking techniques. Take your artsy crush, or your best friend. Buy tickets here.

From the Heart Exhibition, Albuquerque

More than 20 artists with developmental disabilities are featured in the exhibition From the Heart, opening on Valentine’s Day at Nob Hill Storage, a new gallery space in Albuquerque. An opening reception from 4 to 8 p.m. celebrates the work of these creative individuals who make art at North 4th Arts Center, which is an initiative run by N4 Arts. “The students are super excited,” says Samuel Sisneros, special projects manager at the arts center. “This is a great opportunity to get our students out into the community and engage with the local art economy, which is a huge driving economic force here in New Mexico. We want to give them the tools they need to be active arts members here in Albuquerque.”

Some of the artists in the show are new to the arts space, and others have worked with North 4th and its predecessor, Very Special Arts, for decades. There will be a variety of mediums included, like ceramics, paintings, and drawings with Valentine’s Day themes. See the show through March 29.

Glow Skate, Los Alamos

Grab your Valentine’s date or pal and head to the Los Alamos County Ice Rink on Saturday evening and enjoy Glow Skate, a lights-out ice-skating party. The ice will be lit up with disco balls, fun tunes, and black-light accessories for attendees. The party is from 7 to 10 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

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