Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 Explore the forest.

This weekend wraps up National Forest Week, a celebration of the natural world with outdoors activities hosted throughout the country, including Silver City and Santa Fe. “The Santa Fe National Forest is so integral to the way we think about Santa Fe,” says Catherine Cody, a spokesperson at the National Forest Foundation, who will be in Santa Fe for the festivities. “We think of art, we think of the topography, and of the stunning scenic views.”

City Different events for National Forest Week include a Santa Fe watershed cleanup at DeVargas Park on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., and a guided birding walk at the Randall Davey Audubon Center on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The weekend concludes on Sunday with a party at Nuckolls Brewing Co., offering hands-on fun like making seed balls and a fundraising silent auction from 1 to 5 p.m.

In Silver City, the festivities include a special beer release party at Open Space Brewery on Thursday starting at 2 p.m. with $1 from every pint going to Black Fire Recovery. Join a group mountain bike ride at 5:30 p.m. or sunset hike at 6:30 p.m. from the brewery. Then, gather at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center for a 5-mile group hike of Allie Canyon at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Wrap up the weekend at Open Space Brewing, in nearby Santa Clara, for a party with food, drinks, music, and films from 4 p.m. until close.

“Many people don’t realize how close they live to a national forest,” says Cody, noting that seven out of 10 people live within a two-hour drive. “They are so important to communities. But there’s also the personal connection to the forest. Getting outside takes time, but it’s so valuable for your mental health, and for connecting with other people, and finding like-minded folks.”

2 Sip wine in the mountains.

Vino in the Valley brings local vintners to Red River over Father’s Day weekend for live music, mountain air, and sips from wineries including Sheehan Winery, Noisy Water Winery, and Tularosa Vineyards and Winery. The festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, includes an artist market as well as watercolor workshops, a double-blind tasting contest, and a workshop for winemakers.

3 Get down in Carlsbad.

CavernFest kicks off summer in downtown Carlsbad with a family-friendly combination of live music, food trucks, vendors, and cornhole and volleyball competitions. Centered around the Eddy County Courthouse lawn, the festivities start on Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. They pick up again on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. William Clark Green (Friday) and Wade Brown (Saturday) headline an impressive lineup of acts on both days, while kids can enjoy fun activities in the STEM zone with hands-on experiments and a foam party. “My favorite thing is seeing the first family arrive and grab their spot on the lawn,” says Kat Davis, executive director at Carlsbad MainStreet. “Seeing the joy the event brings the community makes the event such a success.”

4 Look to the sky.

San Juan River Balloon Rally

Near Farmington, this hot-air balloon fiesta centers around the Bloomfield Soccer Field. Mass ascensions lift off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and a balloon glow lights up the field on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Balloons Over Angel Fire

Colorful hot-air balloons fly over the Moreno Valley after taking off from the Angel Fire Airport at 6 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Other events during the weekend include a Cool Summer Nights concert at Frontier Park on Friday evening, mimosas on Mainstreet at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the Angel Fire Farmer’s Market at 10 a.m. Sunday.

5 Celebrate Dad.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Deal

All aboard for a scenic train ride with the whole family on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Dads get a 50-percent discount on their tickets on Sunday. The 64-mile ride from Chama, New Mexico, to Antonito, Colorado, lends plenty of time to catch up with Pops.

Farmhouse Ale’s Fathers Day Music Festival

Enjoy a full day of live music at Loretto Park in Bernalillo on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Sit back with a craft beer during performances from blues and country groups, including Kaktus Kats, featuring Michael Matison and Stanlie Kee. The park will have games like cornhole, a casino tent, and food trucks. Tickets are $15.

Edgewood Father’s Day Car Show

Catch the 22nd annual Father’s Day Car Show at Venus Park in Edgewood on Sunday. Starting at 9 a.m., a variety of classic cars, vintage rides, lowriders, and hot rods will be set in the park.

Father’s Day at Corn Maiden

The restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, on the Santa Ana Pueblo near Albuquerque, is offering a pre-dinner reception with guided tastings and curated bites, plus a juicy special of fried local mushrooms, a bison steak, and shoestring fries. The Father’s Day celebration kicks off a new series at the fine dining establishment, which will take place on the third Sunday each month, including a tequila tasting (June 22), Daou wine tasting (July 20), and bourbon tasting (August 17).

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