Fun things to do in New Mexico

A curated list of the best upcoming events in New Mexico.

Green Chile U-Pick

FREE! Through October Bring the family to Big Jim Farms to pick the freshest, most perfect green pods for chiles rellenos. In late September and into October, red chile for enchiladas or posole is abundant, and you can learn how to string your own multicolored ristra during weekend classes. This popular U-pick garden also offers tomatoes, melons, squash, and sunflowers late summer into fall, and pumpkin patch activity begins in October. Los Ranchos.

White Sands Moonlight Hikes

Through November Leave your flashlight in the car on monthly ranger-led tour of sand dunes that shimmer under the full moon. Rangers discuss plants and animals, astronomy, and history along the Dune Life Trail. The hike is limited to 50 participants. Tickets are made available two months before the day of the tour and often sell out within minutes. $8 plus park entrance fee ($25 per vehicle). White Sands National Park.

“Butterflies and Bees: The Power of Pollinators”

Summer Step into the flurry of pure color at the Butterfly House in the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and suddenly you’re among hundreds of butterflies, native bees that don’t sting, and fig beetles. Ask questions at the education table and learn about the role of pollinators in our food supply. This exhibit typically opens for the season in late May. Botanic Garden admission, $10 for adults (for New Mexico residents). Albuquerque.

Empty Bowls Event Fights Hunger

October 18 The Potters Guild of Las Cruces and local ceramicists have been working for months to create the 1,500 bowls they will donate to the nonprofit group Empty Bowls. This fundraiser generated $42,000 for the Las Cruces El Calditio Soup Kitchen last year. At St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, diners savor a variety of yummy soups—Indian, vegetable, pasta, and local favorites posole and menudo—donated by local restaurants. The meal includes a handmade bowl to take home. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Tickets, $25. Las Cruces.

Jemez Mountain Trail Sale

FREE! October 19–20 Autumn scenery is spectacular along the 163-mile-long Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. Motorists traveling from San Ysidro to La Cueva on State Highway 4 and then on to Cuba on Highway 126 are invited to dozens of yard sales Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find everything from appliances and kids’ clothing to Indigenous artwork and plenty of Pueblo food served beside the highways or in community clusters. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway.

Hauntings in Hobbs

October 25–26, October 30–November 2 Prepare to be scared as you enter “Underworld,” the title of this year’s annual haunted house (otherwise known as the Hobbs Community Playhouse) created and inhabited by gruesome creatures (aka the Community Players of Hobbs and community kids). The city also offers a free carnival featuring games, booths, and contests on October 26 at Lea County Events Center. 7:30–11 p.m. Haunted house admission, $15. Hobbs.

New Mexico Enchantment Run

November 2 Runners competing in 15K, 10K, or 5K runs will relish the crisp autumn air and surrounding North Valley Bosque scenery. The race supports RunFit, an organization that provides running opportunities for kids before or after school. All routes begin next to Reginald Chavez Elementary School. Races end at Bike In Coffee at Old Town Farm, where refreshments and entertainment accompany award presentations. Registration starts at $20. Albuquerque.

Balloons and Tunes Festival

FREE! November 1–3 Head to Artesia’s Eagle Draw Park, where about 25 hot air balloons launch for two stunning mass ascensions at dawn during this annual festival. Tunes accompany Friday night’s Balloons, Bands, and Brews party during a balloon glow or “candlestick” event, when balloonists don’t inflate their craft but instead light up the night with flames from their burners. Entertainment includes regional musicians joined by the Artesia High School marching band. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Artesia.

Veterans Day Car Show

FREE! November 9 At least 75 cars—rows of vintage, muscle, and classic models—compete for awards in 15 categories. Check out the rides and talk with owners from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Albert J. Lyon Event Center, where a swap meet will take place. Also popular are homemade goodies at the bake sale. Funds raised here benefit veteran organizations. Truth or Consequences.

Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Holiday Festival

November 29–December 1 Browse pottery, jewelry, folk art, textiles, and paintings offered by 185 artists, and come away with that one-of-a-kind gift for loved ones or for yourself. Black Friday shopping spills into the next two days, and for many Albuquerque families, this festival at Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds is an annual destination. Nonstop musical entertainment runs from pianists to Latin beats, and the variety of food sampling is tempting. Children gravitate to the Kids’ Creation Area for animal balloons, face painting, and crafts. One-day pass, $10; three-day pass, $15. Children 12 and under attend free. Albuquerque.

Snow Play

December–February Just minutes from Santa Fe, sledding thrills await at Hyde Memorial State Park, especially after a good snowfall. Families flock to the three sled and tubing hills that are former ski runs, located behind Hyde Park Lodge. One slope is gentle, while two are steeper and can become icy on older snow. Sledders must haul their own equipment up before the quick trip down. The area is also popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Day use, $5. Santa Fe.

Happy Arte Hour

FREE! December 5 The National Hispanic Cultural Center invites adults (21 and older) to nurture their creativity. They tackle varied projects themed on a current exhibition and often taught by one of the artists featured in that show. Classes are described as an opportunity for like-minded people to connect. Snacks, beer, and wine are available for purchase. Register online so that organizers will have enough materials for all budding artists. Donations to cover expenses are welcome. Albuquerque.

Evening of Light  

FREE! December 6 Join Aztec residents for this winter tradition and tour Aztec Ruins National Monument, where hundreds of luminarias cast light on the well-preserved, 900-year-old walls of the Aztec West Great House. Glowing paper bags dot walkways and multistory ruins of layered rock that once housed 400 rooms and 30 ceremonial kivas built by people of the Chacoan culture. Staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions during the Aztec Ruins Evening of Light. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Aztec.

Nob Hill’s Twinkle Light Parade

FREE! December 7 This annual event literally sparkles with holiday cheer as floats, cars, and even people flicker with Christmas lights in a parade down Central Avenue that stretches from Washington Street to Girard Boulevard. Anyone, from businesses to dance teams, is welcome to join the annual Twinkle Light Parade (registration required). Crowds begin lining up well before the 5:15 p.m. start time to view the creative use of lights in motion. Awards are distributed for best display in several categories. Albuquerque.  

Festival of the Cranes

December 11–15 Spaces fill quickly for the festival’s 75 classes and workshops, so don’t delay in reserving your spot. Join experts at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge who conduct workshops in wildlife photography, bird identification, and crane behavior, and lead hikes and tours. Classes start at $15; entry fees to the wildlife refuge are waived. Socorro.

Christmas Eve on the Plaza

FREE! December 24 More than 3,000 luminarias cast their candlelit ambience along the streets and plaza of Mesilla, creating a magical setting each Christmas Eve. Luminarias are lit at 4:30 p.m. and glow late into the night. Visitors cluster in the plaza from 5 to 7 p.m. to sing Christmas carols and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies on the chilly evening. Kids are delighted to see Santa Claus arrive in his red jeep, and parents snap photos to create memories of the night. Mesilla.

City of Rocks State Park

Visualize streets and buildings in this 1-square-mile metropolis of volcanic rocks that formed almost 35 million years ago. Wide trails weave around weirdly shaped boulders, oak trees, and wildflowers to camping and picnic sites. Fall days are generally warm, but watch out for snakes. For camping, reservations are required. $5 per vehicle. Faywood.

Discover Ancient Cliff Dwellings

FREE! Ongoing Climb back in time to where the disappeared Mogollon people lived from 1276–1300. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument interprets that life and how natural caves were utilized to construct multigenerational living spaces. A moderately difficult loop trail leads to the remaining structures, with a few good photo stops for those who don’t want to hike the entire steep, 1-mile loop. Schedules of ranger-led tours are listed online; the well-stocked visitor center offers video introduction and books. End of Highway 15 north of Gila Hot Springs.

Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape Tour

Hop aboard a narrated bus tour into the red hills and cliffs that inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe during her stays at Ghost Ranch. There are three stops along the way, where you can walk beside the peaks and landforms that dominate her paintings. You’ll also see the outside of her small adobe house at the 21,000-acre Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center, 15 miles north of Abiquiu. Tour tickets include a day pass and entrance to two museums. Adults, $39. Abiquiú.

Hit the Slopes

Ongoing With nine ski areas sprinkled throughout the state, there’s probably one within easy driving distance of your home. Depending on the weather, ski season is underway at easier, family-friendly terrain (perfect for learning) and the serious vertical descents at Taos Ski Valley. Over 80 trails and nighttime skiing are offered at Angel Fire and Sierra Blanca. Albuquerque skiers ride the tram to their nearby slopes. Ski prices vary. New Mexico.

King’s Palace Tour at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Ongoing While any trip to this underground wonderland is rewarding, join an intimate tour of the ornate King’s Palace, the deepest portion of the cave open to the public, which most visitors never see. A ranger points out the variety of formations—draperies, helictites, columns, and soda straws—on a 1-mile trek through four chambers. Experience absolute darkness when lights are momentarily extinguished. Tickets, $8, in addition to park entrance fee. Carlsbad.

Kit Carson House and Museum

Ongoing Explore the life and living quarters of New Mexico’s famous frontiersman during a walk-through of his four-room Taos home, which is almost 200 years old. Kit Carson and his large family lived in the thick-walled adobe from 1843 to 1866, and the museum is now filled with period artifacts and a few personal possessions. A short biography video examines the life of this trapper, guide, soldier, and Indian agent. Tickets, $10. Taos.

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

Get acquainted with the zoo’s 40 resident critters, which include a Mexican wolf, a black bear, a bobcat, mule deer, pronghorn, bison, and prairie dogs, along with a variety of snakes at this park featuring mostly Chihuahuan Desert animals. Hundreds of native plant species populate the botanical gardens along the scenic 1.3-mile trail. Parking, $5. Carlsbad.

Magdalena Historic Walking Tour

FREE! Ongoing Traveling through the quaint town of Magdalena is fascinating, as the old buildings, train station, warehouses, and hotels depict a thriving community born in more prosperous days. Most of the buildings date to the early 1900s, when the town bustled with cowboys, pioneers, and miners. Magdalena became a shipping hub for cattle, sheep, and ore when a railroad spur connected with Socorro. A detailed brochure of the structures and their histories is available at Magdalena businesses or online. Magdalena.

Monday Bird Walks

First Monday of each month Grab binoculars and join a local Audubon Society walk to identify and learn about bird species at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park. You’ll likely spot a roadrunner, New Mexico’s state bird, along with curve-billed thrashers, pyrrhuloxias, ladder-backed woodpeckers, cactus wrens, verdins, and hummingbirds. Join the group at 8 a.m. at the park’s exhibit hall, where displays explain the Rio Grande’s history, geology, plants, and animals. $5 per car. Mesilla.

Mineral Museum

FREE! From glittering crystals and geodes to New Mexico’s own gold, silver, and turquoise, this extensive collection of Southwest and worldwide minerals rocks! Check out fluorescent samples in the ultraviolet room, and learn about meteors’ galactic origins. Make an appointment to have your own treasure identified or email its photo to staff. New Mexico Tech campus, Socorro.

New Mexico Museum of Space History

Explore outer space without leaving the planet at this futuristic museum filled with rockets, space science, flight gear, and a section called “Living and Working in Space,” where you can learn what it’s like to be an astronaut. Start at the top floor, where an expansive view of White Sands unfolds. Catch a show at the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. Admission, $6–$8. Alamogordo.

New Mexico Wildlife Center

Drop by this wildlife rehab center and prepare to be inspired by dedicated staff who treat 650–900 injured and orphaned animals annually. All ages are welcome to view some of the 120 species and visit ambassador animals for daily presentations. Closed Mondays. Adults, $5. Española.

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument

FREE! Ongoing While visitors won’t see dinosaur footprints, which are mostly removed and on display at Albuquerque and Las Cruces museums, guests can wander up Prehistoric Trackways National Monument’s steep arroyos to find Paleozoic fossils from millions of years ago among the rock. Motorized travel allowed on designated roads only. Las Cruces.

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area

Ongoing Sitting Bull Falls, an “oasis in the desert,” tumbles 150 feet from spring-fed pools. Water collects at the base of the waterfall and is perfect for a dip during the summer heat. It’s an easy quarter-mile hike from the parking area and covered picnic tables. The trek to the upper pools and spring, where visitors can swim, is a steep, half-mile climb. $5 per car. Closed Tuesdays. Near Carlsbad.

Smokey Bear Museum and Historical Park

Nicknamed “Hot Foot Teddy,” a small bear with burned feet was rescued from the fire-ravaged Lincoln National Forest in 1950. He became the beloved Smokey Bear, an ambassador of fire safety. His message of protecting woodlands is especially relevant today, and park exhibits explain how firefighting methods have changed over the years. Memorabilia fill the compact museum, and the grounds where Smokey is buried honor firefighters killed in action. Adults, $2. Capitan.

Splashing around Blue Hole and Park Lake

FREE! The sapphire waters of the Blue Hole attract scuba divers to explore the lake's 81-foot depth. In the summertime, they're joined by swimmers, who often cliff jump into the constant 62-degree water. Park Lake, also spring-fed, is the destination for boating, a floating obstacle course, food vendors—and Fourth of July fireworks. Parking, $10. Santa Rosa.

Star parties

Monthly At Rockhound and City of Rocks state parks, explore the night sky of Southwestern New Mexico and expand your knowledge beyond the Big Dipper. Local astronomers point out celestial bodies, then share telescopes for close-up views. Camping is available at both Rockhound and City of Rocks, which features a 14-inch telescope in its new observatory. $5 per vehicle. Deming and Faywood.

Thursdays Are Yours

FREE! Every Thursday Young children, older siblings, and adults are invited to explore the Santa Fe Children’s Museum for free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Meet Cornelius the Corn Snake and tackle a larger-than-life Lite Brite, among 35 other interactive experiences. “There’s lots of fun to be had here,” says Hannah Hausman, executive director of the nonprofit facility. Santa Fe.

Tour Athentic Shakespeare Ghost Town

Ongoing Five adobe buildings in the thirsty desert near Lordsburg represent a once-bustling town that prospered in the mid-1800s. Shakespeare’s frontier days come alive when town co-owner Dave Ochsenbine describes its former glory, when prospectors, cowboys, and outlaws hung out (and were hanged). His stories include notorious characters from Shakespeare’s past: Billy the Kid, Johnny Ringo, Sandy King, and the Clantons. Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets, $15. Lordsburg.

Trek history sculpted in bronze

FREE! Visit Artesia’s Chamber of Commerce at the old train station and pick up a brochure detailing the 11 massive bronze sculptures that line the Main Street District. In a few steps, discover three pieces depicting the town’s cowboy beginnings. Farther down, historical figures come into view, including bronzes representing the region’s oil exploration and development. Walk by the library to see Max the Bulldog and a large mural by Peter Hurd. Artesia.

Walking Tours of Historic Santa Fe

Ongoing The City Different, established in 1607, claims a vibrant past with three cultures and adobe buildings that have a history all their own. Friends of History docents are trained to recount Santa Fe’s former lives during 1.75-mile walking tours. Group and specialty tours, such as the Spies and Assassins trek that focuses on Manhattan Project espionage, are popular. Register online to reserve your spot. Tickets, $25. Santa Fe.

Zuhl Museum Spotlights Geologic Wonders

FREE! Ongoing Don’t judge the compact New Mexico State University Museum by its size. This world-class collection of minerals, petrified wood, and fossils is captivating, especially in the gallery named WOW. Learn about the sparkling geode formations, mineral-infused quartz, and petrified wood slabs at the Zuhl Museum. Discover rare fossils of a baby wooly mammoth and a towering ground sloth with enormous claws and teeth in the History of Life room. Las Cruces.