Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 Turn your eyes to the skies. 

Look to the true-blue New Mexico sky for a weekend of community, hot-air balloons, and fun during the Rio Grande Sky Fiesta at the Los Luceros Historic Site, near Alcalde. “This event is very intimate, friendly, and welcoming,” says Eric Vasquez, executive director of Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, who calls Los Luceros “the most beautiful site that you will launch balloons from,” with its prime location on the bosque along the Río Grande north of Española.

On Saturday at 7 a.m., watch as 25 hot-air balloons ascend into the sky, followed by paragliding demonstrations, remote-control balloons, and more, all happening in the heavens above. Meanwhile, on the ground, the fiesta centers around everything local, including a classic car show and costumed trick or treating on the historic grounds while the cottonwoods glow orange. Live entertainment from Northern Revolution starts at 4 p.m. in the special music Sky Tent.

Learn about the history of the grounds, the 250-year-old hacienda, and the vibrant landscape during a spooky ghost tour. After working up an appetite, explore local food trucks for delicious meals and wine and beer from Santa Fe Brewing Company and El Alamo Winery. End the day with the soft illuminations of colorful tethered balloons during the balloon glow at 6 p.m. On Sunday, balloons ascend at 7:15 a.m. to close the fest. For ticket information, visit riograndeskyfiesta.com.

2 Trick or treat yourself to a happy early Halloween.

Boo at the Zoo, Albuquerque 

Experience a day of tricks, treats, and beasts during Boo at the Zoo at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Dress up in your most stylish, scary, or iconic costumes to trick or treat around the park throughout the day, and venture through bewitching educational activities, a craft station, spooky games, and more. The event includes delicious food and refreshments, with all proceeds benefiting the New Mexico BioPark Society and directly supporting the park. Festivities go from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Boo Bash, Hobbs 

Prepare to BOO-gie all night long during the Boo Bash at the Teen Center in Hobbs. Starting at 5 p.m., guests of all ages can participate in trick or treating as well as a spooktacular costume contest. Iconic Halloween hits are played throughout the evening, so get on the dance floor in your finest costume and show off your best moves. This year, the Boo Bash is accompanied by Runyan Ranches’ Petting Zoo, inviting all guests to pet, feed, and vote for the best animal costume. 

Fort Stanton Trick or Treat Trail 

End your week with a frightful evening of ghouls, screams, and tasty treats this Saturday at the Fort Stanton Trick or Treat Trail. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., costume up to trick or treat with community groups and local businesses along the Fort Stanton Historic Site’s grand old parade grounds. Once you acquire your bag of treats, venture to the historic—and atmospheric—buildings for an escape room and a hair-raising haunted house. This event is free for all to embrace the Halloween spirit. 

La Catrina Festival, Las Vegas

Head to the country’s original Las Vegas for the fourth annual La Catrina Festival, including a parade, entertainment, vendors, art, music, food, ofrendas, and a memorial run. A dog costume contest, plus free microchipping and pet mugshots, kicks off at noon, while a parade from Carnegie Park to Plaza Park happens at 1 p.m., and live music starts at 2. Most of the action is centered around Plaza Park, with community ofrendas on view in the Historic Plaza Hotel Ballroom. The festival celebrates and honors those who have passed with a fun community celebration.

Governor’s Fall Fest, Santa Fe 

As Michelle Lujan Grisham completes her final term as New Mexico’s governor, celebrate with her one last time during the Governor’s Fall Fest on Saturday. From noon to 5 p.m. at the Governor’s Residence in Santa Fe, join Gov. Lujan Grisham for the biggest and brightest Fall Fest to date. Enjoy an afternoon of endless fun, including carnival games and prizes, delicious food, arts and crafts, raffles, a petting zoo, plus educational activities including free tennis, music, and fishing lessons as well as fire truck demonstrations. Live performances happen all afternoon. 

Halloween Carnival at San Juan College, Farmington 

Experience the transition of San Juan College’s Learning Plaza into a carnival of scares, treats, and games this Saturday at the Halloween Carnival at San Juan College in Farmington. From noon to 5 p.m., explore more than 25 booths providing candy and sweet treats as well as carnival-style games with spooky prizes. Put on your most creative costume for the highly anticipated costume contest. The event is free for all to attend, but booths require tickets that can be purchased onsite. 

3 Cycle the unique landscapes of Burque. 

Get in your Halloween costume and cycle through Albuquerque’s most scenic landscapes during the Day of Tread this Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday morning, endure the Bosque Boneshaker Gravel Grinder, with five course options of different lengths to accommodate everyone from beginners to professional cyclists. Begin the ride in the Sawmill District near Old Town to admire the historic neighborhoods of the museum district. Shortly after, riders go from an urban landscape to the high desert, eventually looping back to Old Town. The ride is filled with entertainment that includes live music, plus themed recharge stations along the routes. On Sunday, rides of varying lengths start at 8:15 a.m., before a 10 a.m. 4K Community Fun Walk through the Museum District, Tiguex Park, and Old Town, and an 11 a.m. afterparty with a costume contest. To register for the event, visit dayofthetread.com.

4 Listen to the undead. 

As the New Mexico sky turns into a beautiful mix of colors as the sun sets, ghosts appear at every corner of El Rancho de las Golondrinas to tell their stories at the annual Spirits of New Mexico event. From 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the historic ranch and museum is transformed into a spooky village with a frightfully fun vibe consisting of live entertainment, 18 artisan vendors, several food trucks, and delicious New Mexico Hard Cider on tap. 

As the sun goes down, the spirits come out. Explore the grounds and experience new heights of history and storytelling while enjoying regional campfire stories and toasting marshmallows for s’mores. Get your tickets for a ghoulish night at golondrinas.org.

5 Shoot for the moon. 

This weekend, watch the moonlight glisten across gypsum dunes at Full Moon Night at White Sands National Park. On Sunday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., celebrate the cultural heritage of White Sands through a special presenter in honor of National Fossil Day, Ranger David Bustos, who will give a presentation on the famous fossilized footprints found at the park. The park does not provide refreshments or seating, so be sure to bring chairs and coolers for a comfortable and relaxing evening under the soft moonlight.