New Mexico Annual Traditions

Annual, traditional events held in the New Mexico area

Sante Fe Opera

The Santa Fe Opera is known renowned worldwide for its contribution to a living art form, and for the passion, it inspires in performers and audiences alike. This occurs annually between July 1st- August 27th.

Santa Fe Spanish Market

On the Historic Santa Fe Plaza and the surrounding streets! The celebration includes festivals, music, and cultural events and hundreds of artists showcase their work. This occurs annually on July 30th-July31st.

Santa Fe Indian Market

For the past century, Santa Fe Indian Market has brought together the most gifted Native American artists from the U.S. with millions of visitors and collectors from around the world. The extended weekend of beauty and celebration ranks as the worlds largest and most highly acclaimed Native American art show and as New Mexicos largest attended annual weekend event. This takes place between August 20th- 21st.

Santa Fe Chile and Wine Fiesta

Created to market the Santa Fe restaurant community as a world-class destination, the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta will feature 90 wineries pouring tastes and 35 restaurants serving samples of their signature cuisine. The rest of the festival is filled with wine seminars, cooking demos, guest chef luncheons, a reserve tasting, a live auction, and nightly wine dinners hosted at participating Santa Fe restaurants. This occurs between September 21st-25th.

The Burning of Zozobra

The Burning of Zozobra is a unique cultural event staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe on the Friday of Labor Day weekend as an exciting and fiery finale to the last days of summer. This is always the Friday of Labor Day.

Fiestas de Santa Fe

The Santa Fe Plaza is filled with arts & crafts and food booths, and mariachis play throughout the city. Fiestas concludes with mass at the St. Francis Cathedral followed by a candlelight procession to the Cross of the Martyrs. This takes place the first weekend of Labor Day.

Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned attraction and destination for kids of all ages. For more than four decades, the first week in October brings the smell of roasting chiles and the beautiful, magical moving picture show of hot air balloons sailing silently through the crisp fall air. This occurs on the first week of October.