by Kyla Romero on
1 Get in the spirit.
AI-pocalypse Halloween Party, Ruidoso
The robots are invading at the AI-pocalypse Halloween Party at Downshift Hidden Tap, in Ruidoso. On Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m, the 21-and-over crowd can dress to fit in with the mechanical crowd or put on your best costume and hit the dance floor to music by DJ Vampyro. Feeling stage fright? Sip on some spooky-themed drinks and put your costume to the test during the costume contest.
Murray Monster Mash, Silver City
Head to the Murray Hotel for a frightening night of dancing, drinks, food, and prizes during the Murray Monster Mash. From 7 to 11 p.m., suit up in your spookiest or most creative costume and dance the night away to live music from Ray and the Ghastly Ghoulshines. After working up a sweat, hydrate at the cash bar and snack on food from Mick’s 33 Lounge. Feeling lucky? Enter the costume contest for a chance to win a trip for two to the original Las Vegas. Get tickets at nmmag.us/murray-mash.
Taos’s Wicked Halloween Ball
Become a part of Taos’s biggest celebration, with scares, dancing, and the freedom to let out your inner weirdo at Taos’ Wicked Halloween Ball: Sanctuary. Taos is known for big Halloween celebrations, but after the pandemic many locals felt that something was missing: a huge party, says event organizer Lauren Dana Smith. “We’d love to have an opportunity for people to celebrate and express themselves and be so creative,” says Smith.
At DALEEE KTAOS Solar Center, dress in your most creative costume and dance to high-energy music from DJ Tymer Buck. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by spooky activities and Halloween portraits done by a professional photographer. At 8 p.m., the costume contest kicks off. “We have all ages and backgrounds celebrating, dancing, and having fun together for one night, when maybe they wouldn’t ordinarily hang out,” says Smith. Throughout the night, stop by for a free Halloween makeover from Color Me Radical and find spooky-themed drinks at the Glitter Bar. “This is really a party for everybody,” says Smith. “We are an inclusive space and everybody is welcome.” Tickets can be purchased at daleeektaos.com.
2 Honor the dead.
Día de los Muertos Festival, Lincoln
Celebrate and honor loved ones this Saturday during the 12th annual Día de los Muertos Festival in historic Lincoln. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the field across the Wortley Hotel, celebrate the Day of the Dead with live music, dance performances, food and drinks, historic presentations, ofrendas, local artisan vendors, and face painting. This is a cash-only event due to unstable phone service.
Días de los Muertos, Mesilla
Gather on the historic Mesilla Plaza for four days of remembrance and celebration during Días de los Muertos, Friday through Monday. On Friday, altar set up begins at 7 a.m., art vendors open at 2 p.m., and a free screening of Book of Life begins at 7 p.m. On Saturday, enjoy live music and other performances, and admire the vibrant Marigolds and Memories Costume Stroll. On Saturday and Sunday, watch vibrant colors swirl during performances by the Grupo Valle del Sol Folklórico dancers. On the final day, gather with the community for the All Souls Day Candlelight Procession to Mesilla Cemetery. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Días de los Muertos, Las Cruces
This Sunday, come together to honor loved ones who have passed at the third annual Días de los Muertos in Las Cruces. At Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces, from 3 to 9 p.m., experience the lively atmosphere with live music from Grupo Canek and Mariachi Alma de las Cruces, venture through the vendor mercadito, attend the silent auction, and see a lowrider show. “All of the different elements that we’ve implemented bring back a certain memory with families from years ago,” says Maria Lupe Hernandez-Muñiz, founder and CEO of Powerhouse Diva, which puts on the event.
Admire the juried art exhibit contest as well as the community ofrenda contest, which offers a cash prize. “The heart of the event is within these competitions,” says Hernandez-Muñiz. “By providing cash prizes to these groups, it is our way of saying thank you for participating. We see you and your hard work.” Enjoy complimentary pan dulce and cafe de olla, while supplies last, and fuel up at food trucks and the Amaro Winery beer and wine garden. “We want to encourage people not to shy away from the conversation of death, but to embrace and cherish those memories that we did have together with them,” says Hernandez-Muñiz. Admission is free but reserving a ticket is recommended at lascrucesdiadelosmuertos.com.
Días de los Muertos in Old Town, Albuquerque
From October 30 to November 8, Días de los Muertos comes to life in Old Town. The 10-day celebration includes themed music, dance, and art, and Catrina procession, which invites participants to don their finest skull makeup and attire. Everywhere you turn presents a new symbol of life or death, including the glowing Tree of Life, ofrendas, a Catrina sculpture, and Marigold Mile—more than 15,000 feet of marigold garlands decorating Old Town. On Saturday, catch a free screening of Coco. Find a detailed schedule at visit.albuquerqueoldtown.
Días de los Muertos, Santa Fe
On Friday, Santa Fe’s fifth annual Día de los Muertos celebration returns to the historic Plaza for two days of music, remembrance, and community ofrendas. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with mariachi music, traditional meals, and entertainment on the bandstand, surrounded by papel picado, marigolds, and decorative skulls. On Saturday, the festivities run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with community-ofrenda decorating, strolling mariachis, free face painting, ballet folklórico, and Catrina dances. A free screening of Coco begins at 6 p.m., followed by a candlelight parade and a dance party. Friday’s musical lineup includes Rob Martinez, Tíos Míos, Flor de Toloache, and Nosotros, while Saturday night closes with Man Boy Brown featuring Raul Pacheco of Ozomatli. This year’s celebration, themed “A Trip Down the Mother Road,” also marks Route 66’s centennial. Classic cars join the marigolds, candlelight, and calaveras on the Plaza, commemorating the highway’s early route through Santa Fe.
3 See a story of resilience.
Head to the Indigo Theater in Las Vegas this Friday for the local theatrical debut of Burn, Scar. Award-winning Taos-based documentary filmmaker Hilary Bachelder (The Flag Makers and Trials of Mohammad Ali) tells the story of Mora and Rio Arriba County residents grappling with the aftermath of the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The film explores the environmental and economic trauma caused by the wildfire and the ongoing battle residents face while attempting to receive federal compensation. The film’s breathtaking cinematography captures the devastation of the burned landscape and the people who mourn it. Friday’s screening features a Q&A with Bachelder, and the film runs at the Indigo Theater through Thursday, November 5. For ticket information visit burnscarfilm.com.
4 Scare up some treats.
Boo Palooza, Farmington
This Halloween, witness the transformation of downtown Farmington into a scene of fa-boo-lous family fun at Boo Palooza. The evening includes old school carnival games and trick-or-treating at downtown shops. Attend the annual children’s costume contest at Orchard Park. The fun lasts from 4 to 6 p.m.
Los Alamos Halloweekend
In downtown Los Alamos, thousands of people gather for an evening of treats, fun costumes, and community during the Los Alamos Halloweekend and Trick-or-Treat on Mainstreet celebration. Starting at 4 p.m. along Central Avenue, businesses and organizations hand out candy and goodies to costumed children and families as the street closes to vehicles. By the end of the night, leave in high spirits and with a bag full of treats.
Nightmare at the Museums, Las Cruces
On Friday night, prepare for scares, scavenger hunts, and creepy crawlies at Nightmare at the Museums in Las Cruces. From 6 to 9 p.m., explore the haunted transformation of Devasthali and Kent Halls at New Mexico State University with a variety of spooky activities, including creepy crafts, costume contests, and a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt. Participants also have an opportunity to encounter bugs and creepy critters if they dare. All proceeds go toward NMSU museums and collections. Tickets can be purchased at nmmag.us/nightmare.
Trunk or Treat/Haunted Ghost Tour, Winston and Chloride
Prepare for a frightening night of ghost stories, haunted tours, and delicious treats at the Trunk-or-Treat and Haunted Ghost Tour in Winston and Chloride. On Halloween night at the Winston Community Center, local guides share spooky stories and unexplained happenings from the area. Don’t miss the opportunity of a firsthand encounter on ghost tours exploring sites in Winston and Chloride, including the Winston Carriage House and Winston Schoolhouse. To catch your breath from the horrors, families can participate in the trunk-or-treat and reward their bravery with haunted hot dogs. Tickets can be purchased at sierracountynewmexico.info.
5 Shop the strange and unusual.
Haunt Fest, Roswell
Celebrate Halloween with treats, costumes, and a little retail therapy at the Haunt Fest Halloween Market at the Liberty. On Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., shop from local vendors offering Halloween-themed treasures; enjoy light snacks and refreshments; let the kiddos trick-or-treat, and enter the all-ages costume contest.
Haunted Trading Post, Zuni
At the Haunted Trading Post, every turn unleashes new horrors in the basement of the ARTZ Coop Gallery. From Monday through Halloween night, all ages can explore the maze-like attraction filled with props, frightening decorations, and scare actors—many being the artists from the gallery. After living to tell the tale, visitors can shop from the gallery. The haunted house is open from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.