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Santa Fe Local Events
Annual Local Events in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe’s calendar brims with cultural, artistic, and culinary celebrations that draw visitors year-round. Enjoy this seasonal guide to the city’s signature events.
Local Events
Winter & Early Spring
- Canyon Road Farolito Walk – Christmas Eve tradition where the historic Canyon Road glows with thousands of farolitos (paper lanterns) and luminarias, alongside carolers, musicians, and holiday cheer. A beloved community gathering that’s as much about strolling and connecting as it is about the lights.
- Santa Fe Chile Drop – New Year’s Eve celebration on the Plaza where a giant red chile is lowered at midnight, followed by music, dancing, and fireworks. A fun, distinctly New Mexican twist on ringing in the year.
- Santa Fe Restaurant Week – Around late February, this culinary celebration invites food lovers to explore special menus across top local restaurants.
Local Events
Spring
- Santa Fe International Literary Festival – May event with acclaimed authors, discussions, and tastings.
- Native Fashion Week – May showcase of Indigenous design and style.
Local Events
Summer
- International Folk Art Market – July’s globally acclaimed artisan showcase.
- Traditional Spanish Market & Contemporary Hispanic Market – The oldest and largest juried art show of its kind in the country, Traditional Spanish Market showcases regional Hispanic heritage on the Santa Fe Plaza.
- Santa Fe Opera Season – July–August outdoor opera performances in a stunning desert setting.
- Santa Fe Indian Market – August’s premier Native American art market.
- Santa Fe Summer Scene - Santa Fe Summer Scene is a beloved and highly anticipated free outdoor entertainment series that draws movie and music lovers from across New Mexico and beyond to enjoy community celebrations featuring favorite films and performances by local, national, and international artists.
Local Events
Labor Day Weekend
- Burning of Zozobra – The Friday before Labor Day, burning “Old Man Gloom” to banish worries.
- Fiesta de Santa Fe – Parades, music, and cultural events following Zozobra.
Local Events
Fall
- Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta – September’s food and wine extravaganza.
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – Early October, just an hour south of Santa Fe, this world-famous event fills the skies with hundreds of colorful hot air balloons, making Santa Fe a perfect home base for visitors.
- Santa Fe International Film Festival – October’s showcase of independent and global cinema