Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 Turn trash into treasure.

Redefine waste by seeing art and fashion made from commonly discarded materials at the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival. Now in its 27th year, the event is one of the oldest and largest recycled art festivals in the country. “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season and holiday shopping,” says Sarah Pierpont, New Mexico Recycling Coalition executive director and festival event coordinator. “By supporting local artists, we are keeping reusable materials out of the landfill.”

From Friday to Sunday at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, shop recycled art from more than 100 vendors from across the country, browse art exhibits by students and adults, then try your hand at making something new from discarded materials. The heart of the event occurs on Friday during the Trash Fashion and Costume Show. Starting at 7 p.m., artists from across the country strut their stuff in the fashion show with pieces made from at least 75 percent reused, recycled, or repurposed materials. “It is just mind-blowing. We have some really serious costume designers that know what they’re doing,” says Pierpont. For more information, visit recyclesantafe.org.

2 Meet the artists.

Artists of Sierra County Studio Tour

During the Artists of Sierra County Studio Tour, explore not only the creative spaces of local artists, but also the inspiration and processes behind their creations. On Saturday and Sunday, visit roughly 40 studios throughout Sierra County, where artists, including Terri Durham, Otto Rigan, and Yarrow Slaps, work in a variety of media and offer a glimpse into their creative worlds. To view the full map of participating studios and artists, visit aosc-studiotour.com.

Mimbres Art Studio Tour

Step into the mind of an artist during the Mimbres Art Studio Tour. On Friday, stop by the preview reception at Grant County Art Guild Studio, in Silver City, from 5 to 7 p.m. Then, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, explore the creative spaces and works of local artists in the Mimbres Valley. While the Mimbres region is known for distinctive black-on-white pottery, the tour showcases a wide range of mediums.

3 Party with a roar.

In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science invites the public to celebrate 40 years of research and discovery this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum first opened its doors in 1986, giving New Mexicans a place to explore the state’s remarkable fossil record and natural history. “We’ll have people return who remember coming as children, and now they’re bringing their children to the museum,” says Sarah Bush, CEO of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation.

The celebration kicks off with free movies in the DynaTheater and the planetarium, including T.REX and Turtle Odyssey 3D. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy more hands-on activities with a scavenger hunt, dinosaur origami, foam fossil building, and a sensory table to spark both children and adults’ inner wonder.

“Even for myself as an adult coming here, seeing the dinosaurs and space and all of these exciting gemstones, I get that childlike wonderland discovery,” says Bush. The celebration also invites guests to revisit favorite exhibits and discover new ones, including Animal Armor, a traveling exhibition exploring how animals and dinosaurs developed armor for protection and inspired warrior uniforms. “This is a thank you to the community,” says Bush. “We feel so fortunate that people still love us and come back after all these years.”

4 Celebrate New Mexico’s Hispanic heritage. 

Join the community of Santa Clara as it celebrates the Hispanic heritage of the Southwest during Tamal Fiesta on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at historic Fort Bayard, enjoy traditional ballet folklórico dancers, mariachi music, a piñata bust, and the famous chancla toss. The event also includes a car show, local craft vendors, and live music from Illusion Band. The afternoon wouldn’t be complete without delicious tamales and other local favorites.

5 Savor local flavors.

Fire and Ice Family Food Festival, Albuquerque

On Saturday, turn up the heat with spicy treats before cooling off with classic and creative ice cream flavors at the Fire and Ice Family Food Festival. Starting at noon at Sandia Prep, spice up your palate by trying salsa, hot honey, spicy jerky, green chile popcorn, hot sauces, and more from local vendors. Once you’ve had your fill of the burn, sample more than 20 ice cream flavors from Blue Bell Ice Cream. Find more fun with other food vendors, carnival games, and entertainment, including a DJ and a foam party. Admission is free, with optional tasting passes available for just $5 in advance. Get passes at fireice.com.

Union County Burger Brawl, Clayton

Prepare your taste buds for the best patties in town at the Union County Burger Brawl on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. Watch local restaurants go head-to-head to see who has the best burger in the county. The winner isn’t determined by a panel of judges, but by you. The quest to find the best burger takes place at the Clayton Civic Center, where attendees sample contenders and vote based on flavor, creativity, and presentation. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.