1 Shop textile art. 

More than 40 members of the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center (EVFAC) show their creations during the Fall Fiber Fiesta at the Scottish Rite Temple, in Santa Fe, Friday through Sunday. The 13th annual event starts with a $20 preview gala on Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m., where attendees can be the first to shop the textiles, enjoy light bites and drinks, and hear live music by jazz trio The Spacers.

“There will be every kind of fiber art you could think of,” says Pando Speer, education and media coordinator at the EVFAC. See and feel works in basket making, quilting, handmade garments, knitting, macramé, felted pieces, and more. “It’s a great place to find gifts for yourself and for your friends and family,” says Speer, who learned the art form at EVFAC 14 years ago. “I love selling, it’s a lot of work but you see who it’s going to and how much they appreciate and get to know all the tiny details of a project.” Saturday and Sunday, the free market is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Santa Fe Symphony ushers in the season with performances of Handel's "Messiah" at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.

2 Hark, it’s holiday joy.

The Santa Fe Symphony rings in the holidays with its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. A concert composed of classic arias and expressions of hope—including one of the most performed choral works of all time—the symphony’s ensemble showcases vocalists who graced the stage at the Santa Fe Opera during its 2025 season. Catch performances on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe. 

3 Catch a philanthropic performance.

A showcase of talent from dance companies throughout San Juan County, the Holiday Spectacular hits the stage at the Henderson Fine Arts Center at San Juan College in Farmington on Friday at 7 p.m. The show includes holiday favorites and dancers from more than 10 local ensembles performing choreography to songs that bring holiday cheer. The event raises money for the Kids Kollege fund.

Taste New Mexico-made foods and shop artisan goods at the HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market in Las Cruces. Photograph courtesy of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

4 Give the gift of snacks.

Peruse a cornucopia of New Mexico–made foods at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, in Las Cruces, during the HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market on Saturday and Sunday. Presenting more than 60 vendors from throughout the state, the culinary offerings are joined by arts vendors, jewelry, and Indigenous pottery. Expect tasty samples, wines you can purchase by the glass or bottle, food trucks, and mini Christmas trees decorated by the local 4-H club. It’s $10 per car for admission.

See works by Indigenous students at the IPCC's Native American Student Art Show and watch weekend pottery demonstrations by Pueblo artists. Photograph courtesy of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

5 Attend a weekend of Indigenous arts.

The Artists Circle Gallery at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), in Albuquerque, hosts the 45th annual Native American Student Art Show, which features works made by Indigenous artists ranging from kindergarteners to 12th graders. The theme of the 2025 juried show is Planning Our Future Homes, inviting students to contemplate the future of families, tribal relationships, and physical homes. An opening celebration on Sunday features a pottery demonstration by Wilma Baca Tosa (Jemez Pueblo) from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Also at the cultural center this weekend, the continuation of the Pueblo Pottery Days series sees ceramicists from pueblos across the state host demonstrations. It’s a good time for visitors to ask the artists questions about their process and become better acquainted with the traditional art form. On Saturday, see Noreen Simplicio (Zuni) at 10 a.m. and Jacqueline Shutiva Montano (Acoma) beginning at 1 p.m.

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