1 Time travel at a new exhibition.

A new retrospective exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art takes viewers back to the early years of New Mexico statehood through the embroidered works of Policarpio Valencia (1853–1931). Born in Española, the artist began creating textile work in his seventies, using repurposed household fabrics as his canvas to embroider and record a specifically New Mexican Spanish dialect, which is fading from existence. “He only has 10 known works,” says Carrie Hertz, curator of textiles and dress at MoIFA, who unites all 10 in Appearances Deceive. “You really benefit from seeing the themes that start to emerge, and how differently he approached each textile.”

Valencia adorned Río Grande weavings, tablecloths, and textiles patched together from bits of old clothing. “It’s really exciting from the dress history perspective to see what kinds of garments were circulating around homes at that time,” Hertz says. Phrases with double meanings appear on a few of Valencia’s textiles. One piece stitched onto an old tablecloth seems like a smart play on words. It reads “old table” in Spanish, but can also mean a gathering spot, or a place where loved ones spend time. “He is referencing what is important in life and remembering that.”

The exhibition includes the voices of Valencia’s living descendants reading the words he embroidered 100 years ago, and a digital component that allows viewers to zoom in and see both the fronts and backs of the pieces in detail. Appearances Deceive opens with a reception Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and runs through March 30, 2026 in the Hispanic Heritage Wing of the museum.

Join the Spokes on 66 Car Show in Grants for a weekend of classic cars, live music, food trucks, and exciting activities.

2 Get revved up on the Mother Road.

The Spokes on 66 Car Show turns Grants into a showcase of auto excellence on Friday and Saturday with classic and vintage rides, lowriders, monster trucks, hot rods, and a parade down historic Route 66. Visitors can check out live music, bounce houses, an obstacle course, food trucks, and a ton of fun. Friday evening features the wild monster truck Horny Mike and a special welcome dinner. On Saturday, the downtown festivities kick off at 10 a.m.

Join the Santa Fe Spring Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas this weekend for a celebration of historical traditions.

3 Experience living history.

On Saturday and Sunday, El Rancho de las Golondrinas hosts the Santa Fe Spring Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features demonstrations of historical traditions like baking bread in an horno and shearing sheep, plus performances from mariachis and ballet folklorico dancers.

“People can see the newly planted fields, some of our orchards in bloom, and our sheep being shorn,” says Daniel Goodman, museum director at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Sheep at Las Golondrinas are shorn by hand, allowing shearers to gauge how close they’re getting to the animal’s skin. Next, they clean the wool with yucca root from the property, then comb and spin it into madejas, which most of us know as skeins. “We call it our ‘sheep to blanket’ program,” Goodman says.

The weekend includes food trucks and catering by the on-site kitchen. Goodman says the property is verdant and full of water, making it a great time to visit. “What we do here is important,” he says. “We specialize in giving hands-on experiences with history to our guests. The stories, histories, and lifeways we share here are underrepresented, and it’s a part of the American story everyone should know.” On Saturday morning, don’t miss a traditional New Mexican procession. Led by a priest and a bulto of San Ysidro, the parade visits the property’s animals and fields to bless them with a prosperous season. Buy tickets online before heading to the event.

Join the fun at the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge's second annual Summer Fest, featuring live music, kids’ activities, free food, and the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

4 Party at a wildlife refuge.

The Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge hosts its second annual Summer Fest on Saturday—a family-friendly party featuring fun kids’ activities, live music by local bands, and free food (while supplies last). Visitors can also catch the unveiling of a new mural and attend a history presentation on the refuge’s rich history. “One of our biggest draws is our herd of elk, which is about 400 head strong,” says Alyssa Lu, visitor services manager. “They are about to calve, so we could be seeing elk calves anytime now.” Guests may also observe the slew of bird species who utilize the property’s playa lakes. A tractor-pulled hayride offers a special backroad tour, with tour guides explaining the details of the refuge’s daily work. The refuge opens at 9 a.m. and the kids’ activities start at 10 a.m.

Join the excitement in Ruidoso this Saturday morning for the seventh annual Great High Mountain Bed Race, featuring teams racing custom mobile beds through town.

5 See the fastest beds in the West.

Ruidoso hosts the seventh annual Great High Mountain Bed Race on Saturday morning, when mobile beds on wheels, pushed by teams, race through town. First, they parade through Midtown at 9 a.m. starting at the corner of Sudderth Drive and Eagle Drive. Then they turn around and race back to Wingfield Park at 9:30 a.m. After the show of speed, Wingfield Park hosts fun activities and games for attendees to enjoy.

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