1 Feel the literary love.

The written word comes alive during the Santa Fe International Literary Festival, which brings renowned authors to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center Friday through Sunday to share insights into their works. This year, the list includes Anthony Doerr, author of All the Light We Cannot See; Tommy Orange (Cheyenne/Arapaho), a Pulitzer Prize finalist who recently released a new novel, Wandering Stars; and Jesmyn Ward, a two-time National Book Award recipient.

Time travel to the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire in Ruidoso on Friday and Saturday for medieval sports, crafts, live performances, and more. Photograph courtesy of the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire.

2 Meet in medieval times.

Time travel in Ruidoso at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire on Friday and Saturday. Watch medieval sports, participate in traditional crafts and hands-on activities like ax throwing and archery, and shop more than 100 vendors who bring their wares to Wingfield Park.

Sponsored by Oso Productions, a Ruidoso-based nonprofit theater group, the event also includes performances from Farmington medieval Celtic rock group Ga Greine, the Brethren of the Sunken Skull, a pirate troupe from El Paso, Texas, and headlining band the Doso Dirtbags. “This event is something unique and different that people don’t get to do often,” says Tim Roberts, owner of Bonito Valley Brewing Company. Come in costume and get a discount on your ticket at the door.

Experience the Blessing of the Fields tradition at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Photograph courtesy of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

3 Bless the bounty.

Participate in a uniquely New Mexican tradition, the Blessing of the Fields, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, on Friday at 10 a.m. Members of Tortugas Pueblo and Bishop Peter Baldacchino oversee the blessing and procession throughout the museum grounds, a tradition associated with San Ysidro, the patron saint of farmers.

“It’s a tradition I’ve only seen here,” says Desirie Lara, the museum’s experience supervisor. Following the lead of the patron saint, local churches take an icon of San Ysidro to farms and ranches to bless fields and animals before planting for summer.

The procession ends at the acequia, where girls who have received their First Holy Communion spread rose petals in the water. “We carry a bulto, made by Virginia Romero,” Lara says. After the blessing, attendees receive free admission to the museum until noon.

The Mora Market on MainStreet takes place every Saturday through June 22, featuring vendors, live music, and a variety of locally made goods. Photograph courtesy of Mora MainStreet.

4 Visit a market in Mora.

See Mora in a new light at the Mora Market on MainStreet on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Vendors pop up in the parking lot of Los de Mora Local Growers’ Co-op, with live music from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The market is an effort to enliven and showcase the community, which has endured a lot over the last few years. “Two years ago, we had the tragic [Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon] fires,” says Ilka Villarreal, executive director at Mora MainStreet Art & Cultural Compound. Offerings include artisanal jam, scented candles, tiny handmade books, artworks, greeting cards, handcrafted wooden toys, pottery, skincare, cookies, and other baked goods.

“The people who have been showcasing their work are really amazing,” Villarreal says. “We encourage the community to get up on stage and talk about their lives in Mora. It’s wonderful to hear the stories and long family histories. People get to see what this place is all about.” Visit the market every Saturday through June 22.

Catch Darren Córdova y Calor at the Civic Plaza as part of the New Mexico Heritage Celebration. Photograph courtesy of Darren Córdova y Calor

5 Celebrate New Mexican culture.

 A party to celebrate New Mexico’s Hispanic music and culture takes over Albuquerque Civic Plaza on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. The New Mexico Heritage Celebration includes a low rider show, food trucks, and craft vendors. Beloved local bands, including the Daniel Solis Band, Red Wine, and Darren Córdova y Calor, perform live onstage.

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