Looking for a way to enjoy New Mexico’s iconic farolitos, biscochitos and tamales this holiday season? Then check out some of the following events:
ALBUQUERQUE
Dec. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Historic Old Town | Free
It’s Albuquerque’s favorite way to kick-off the holiday season. Score holiday specials at the shops throughout Old Town, have a photo-op with Santa, and behold the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Dec. 5 | Nob Hill | 5:15 p.m. | Free
Kick-off the holiday season with one of Albuquerque’s most beloved holiday traditions: the Annual Twinkle Light Parade. Dozens of floats, marching bands, fire trucks and local businesses and organizations, adorned with more than 300,000 lights, parade through Nob Hill. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa to stay warm.
50th Annual ABQ RIDE Luminaria Tour
Dec. 24 | Times vary | Albuquerque Convention Center | $1.70-$3
Enjoy a New Mexican Christmas Eve tradition without worrying about driving, parking and traffic. ABQ RIDE will take you through neighborhoods filled with luminarias and Christmas lights in Old Town, the Albuquerque Country Club and other locales dressed for the holidays.
LAS VEGAS
Dec. 5 | Dusk | 1700 Grande Ave. | Free
Holiday cheer is electrified in a stunning parade of floats and cars adorned with Christmas lights. A contest will be held for the best float.
SANTA FE
Dec. 13 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Santa Fe Plaza | Free
Las Posadas is a traditional Spanish folk play that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a room on Christmas Eve. It’s an interactive play that allows spectators to follow the action as it happens around the Santa Fe Plaza. Stay for carols, cookies and refreshments in the Palace Courtyard.
Dec. 24 | Dusk | Canyon Road | Free
Small, sand-filled, paper bags illuminated with votive candles line the historic neighborhood streets and adobe walls. The crowd has gotten larger in recent years, so attendees are advised to leave strollers and four-legged family members safely at home.
Christmas Eve in the Santa Fe Plaza
Dec. 24 | Evening | Santa Fe Plaza | Free
Bundle up and stroll the streets of downtown Santa Fe. Trees will be glittering with lights and sidewalks and rooftops will be lined with farolitos. The plaza will be bustling with the sounds of carolers and the smells of cider and biscochitos. Walk to the top of the Cross of the Martyrs to view the entire city as it teems with bonfires and lights.
Noche Buena, the “Midnight Mass of the Rooster”
Dec. 24 | 12:00 a.m. (Dec. 25) | Basilica Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi | Free
A midnight mass that incorporates a folk story about the animals who cared for baby Jesus on the night of his birth, namely an elderly rooster who flew to the manger’s highest point and sang the news of baby Jesus’ birth.
Fire and Ice’s New Year Extravaganza
Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Eldorado Hotel | $400 per person or $3,500 for a table of ten
The most extravagant New Year’s Eve party in Santa Fe. It includes a champagne and cocktail reception, five-star dinner, live music, photo ops, magicians, fortune tellers and much more. Guests who wish to stay the night at the hotel will get 20% of the room rate. Shuttle service from the San Francisco Street parking garage will be available.
What are your plans for the 2015 holiday season? I’d love to know. Tell me about them in the comments section below.