Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 Celebrate America’s birthday.

Fourth of July in Socorro

Socorro marks America’s 248th birthday with two days of live music starting Wednesday, July 3, at the Rodeo and Sports Complex. Country star Neal McCoy headlines with hits like “No Doubt About It” and “You Gotta Love That.” The Fourth of July events include live music performances by Tori & The Murillos, Fuzzy Logic, and local favorite Al Hurricane Jr., along with arts vendors, a cornhole tournament, food stations, a beer garden, kids’ activities, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Pancakes on the Plaza

Start the Fourth of July with a treat at Santa Fe’s 47th annual Pancakes on the Plaza. See classic cars, shop art vendors, and enjoy stacks of pancakes. The griddles (and fun) heat up starting at 7 a.m. Once you get your fill, the city hosts its fireworks extravaganza from the park next to Santa Fe Place Mall beginning at 4 p.m. with live music, food trucks, and other activities ahead of the fireworks.

Fourth of July in Eagle Nest

The Eagle Nest Chamber of Commerce rockets into the holiday with a BBQ benefit for the Eagle Nest Volunteer Fire Department with a sit-down meal at the Senior Center and take-out available from the fire station. Grab your grub and watch the Fourth of July parade through downtown, which steps off at 2 p.m. Then wrap up the festivities with a spectacular fireworks display over Eagle Nest Lake around 9 p.m. 

Let Freedom Ring July 4th Music Festival

Starting at noon on July 4th, Elevate Chama drive-in hosts performances by Rick Trevino, Western Boy, and Cuarenta yCinco before the fireworks light up the night sky.

Freedom Fourth  

Florida-born country singer Michael Ray headlines a family-friendly July 4th celebration at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park that includes a stunning display of fireworks, food vendors, and kids’ activities from 3 to 10 p.m.

Fourth of July Spectacular

Head to Overlook Park in Los Alamos on July 4th and catch live concerts, a drone show, and a fireworks display. The party’s headliner, Prince Again, pays tribute to the pop legend and recreates the late musician’s on-stage magic, performing chart-toppers like “Purple Rain,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Kiss.” The fun starts at 4 p.m.

Fourth of July Celebration,

The Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, in Las Cruces, hosts a party for the nation on July 4th. Starting at 6 p.m., the Black Jacket Symphony takes the stage to perform the entire Saturday Night Fever soundtrack followed by Prince’s entire Purple Rain album. There will be food, face painting, games, food and drinks, and fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Fourth of July Parade & Celebration

Red River pulls out all the stops for the Fourth of July starting at 10 a.m. with a lively parade, known to be one of the biggest in northern New Mexico. It ends at Brandenburg Park, which hosts the rest of the celebratory activities including food, games, and live music throughout the day. Don’t miss a performance from the Eastern New Mexico University Brass Quintet at 1 p.m.

Elephant Butte Fireworks Extravaganza

When fireworks explode over a lake, you get twice the spectacle as they reflect on the water’s surface. On Saturday, July 6, the Friends of Elephant Butte Lake State Park host what’s billed as the state’s largest pyrotechnic display, starting at 9 p.m. Entry to the park is free starting at 6 p.m.

2 In vino veritas.

The 30th annual Santa Fe Wine Festival comes to El Rancho de Las Golondrinas on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Local wineries, such as Noisy Water Winery in Ruidoso, Gruet Winery in Albuquerque, and El Alamo Winery in Alcalde, serve up their best varieties to sip and shop, while local chefs and restaurants including Fusion Tacos, Power 5 BBQ, and Strawberries & More sell tasty treats. An artisan market showcases handmade goods representing the strong creative culture in the Land of Enchantment.

3 Walk the line.

Painted, woven, photographed, and sculptural artworks come together in the new exhibition, Line by Line, opening at the New Mexico Museum of Art on Saturday. The first of a two-part survey, the exhibition explores the line and how it appears as an integral structure in art. Spanning decades, these works expand viewers’ understanding of what a line can communicate. See it through October 5, when the second installment of the exhibit takes over.

4 Sing the praises of poetry.

The seventh poet to receive the title of Albuquerque’s poet laureate makes their debut at the Albuquerque Museum on Sunday. Starting at 1 p.m., the welcome party includes readings from former poet laurates Hakim Bellamy and Mary Oishi. Selected by a volunteer board comprised of writers, artists, and other poets, the poet laureate serves a two-year term elevating the importance of the art form and sharing it with Albuquerque’s diverse community.   

5 Get out of this world.

Extraterrestrial films, alien investigations, and out-of-this-world sights land at this year’s UFO Festival in Roswell Friday through Sunday. See Glowbots, an exhibition of community-created robots at the Miniatures and Curious Collections Museum; shop space-themed jewelry and goods at the Bone Springs Art Space pop-up shop; hear from Ground Zero Radio host Clyde Lewis; take the whole family to AlienFest street festival; see a laser show at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, catch a concert by Jim Dixon, and much more.

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