Aspen Glow
Oct 3 · Ski Santa Fe · Past
Scenic chairlift rides on the Santa Fe Express Quad climb through the aspen groves to 11,250 feet, with the fall color laid out below. Rides run from 10 am to 3 pm on October 3 and depend on the weather.
Calendar of Events
Santa Fe, month by month.
We love sharing the events for the months and year ahead, so you can plan your trip: the markets, the music, the fiestas, and the quiet weeks in between.
Santa Fe, month by month.
October 2026
Harvest Festival
Oct 3 to 4 · El Rancho de las Golondrinas · Past
A long-running autumn day at the living-history ranch south of town, with chile ristra making, grape stomping at the old winery, a pumpkin patch, and hayrides. Live music, artisan booths, and docent tours of the historic buildings make it an easy half day.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
Oct 10 to 12 · Santa Fe Plaza · Past
Santa Fe sets aside the weekend and the Monday itself to honor the 23 Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos of New Mexico. Dances fill the Plaza on Saturday and Sunday, and Monday brings the Honoring Native Nations Powwow, hosted by the Santa Fe Indigenous Center.
Santa Fe International Film Festival
Oct 14 to 19 · The Lensic
An Academy Award-qualifying festival of new international, independent, and Indigenous films, with filmmakers in town for Q&As. This year's program includes a Lifetime Achievement Award for Pam Grier, with opening night at the Lensic.
Canyon Road Paint & Sculpt Out
Oct 17 · Canyon Road
Painters, sculptors, jewelers, and ceramicists work in public along the galleries, courtyards, and sculpture gardens of Canyon Road. It runs from 11 am to 3 pm, and visitors can talk with the artists or commission a piece directly.
Spirits of New Mexico
Oct 23 to 24 · El Rancho de las Golondrinas
After-dark evenings at the historic ranch, with ghost stories around campfires, farolito-lit paths, and candlelit adobe buildings. It runs 5 to 9 pm, and tickets are sold only in advance.
Día de los Muertos on the Plaza
Oct 30 to 31 · Santa Fe Plaza
A free, fifth-year celebration of the Mexican tradition on the Plaza, with community altars, mariachi and live music, face painting, and a candlelight parade with giant mojigangas puppets. This year adds Route 66 centennial classic cars.
November 2026
Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival
Nov 6 to 8 · Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Billed as the country's largest and oldest recycled art market, with more than 100 artists selling work made from discarded materials. Juried exhibits, a trash fashion show, and hands-on making keep it lively for a weekend afternoon.
Contemporary Clay Fair
Nov 14 to 15 · Santa Fe Woman's Club
A small, artist-run fair of regional ceramics, with functional pottery, dinnerware, and sculptural pieces from New Mexico makers. 2026 marks its 23rd year, and in past years it has run 10 am to 5 pm with free admission.
Handel’s Messiah
Nov 21 to 22 · The Lensic
The Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus perform Handel's oratorio under Guillermo Figueroa, with four guest soloists. Shows are Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm, about two and a half hours with one intermission.
Ski Santa Fe Opening Day
Nov 26 · Ski Santa Fe
Opening day at Ski Santa Fe, about 16 miles up the mountain from the Plaza, starts a season that runs into early April. The date depends on snow, so check the snow report before driving up.
Holiday Tree Lighting on the Plaza
Nov 27 · Santa Fe Plaza
The City's annual holiday lighting of the Plaza, on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In past years Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrived by vintage fire truck, with music, cocoa, and cookies before the lights come on.
SWAIA Winter Indian Market
Nov 28 to 29 · Santa Fe Community Convention Center
SWAIA's holiday market brings juried Native artists selling jewelry, pottery, textiles, painting, and sculpture. Live music, dance, and Native food vendors round out the weekend.
December 2026
Winter Spanish Market
Dec 5 to 6
The winter edition of the juried Spanish colonial art market that has run since 1926, with traditional art, music, and food. A good place for handmade gifts rooted in New Mexico history.
Carols & Lullabies
Dec 12 to 22 · Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
The Santa Fe Desert Chorale's winter concerts, with professional singers performing carols and seasonal music in the Cathedral Basilica. The full program is announced later in the fall.
La Luz de las Noches
Dec 17 to 31 · Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Thousands of lights, glowing farolitos, and wood fire pits fill the Botanical Garden on Museum Hill, now with a lit model train through the Orchard, s'mores, cookie decorating, and cozy igloos. Closed December 24 and 25. Public tickets open October 15.
Canyon Road Farolito Walk
Dec 24 · Canyon Road
On Christmas Eve, thousands of farolitos line the walls and gardens of Canyon Road, with piñon bonfires, carolers, hot chocolate, and biscochitos. Nearby streets close to cars, and it begins at sundown.
New Year’s Eve on the Plaza
Dec 31 · Santa Fe Plaza
A free gathering hosted by the Kiwanis Club for the City, with piñon bonfires, live music, and food trucks. At midnight a handcrafted Zia symbol rises and fireworks launch from La Fonda, with no ball drop.
When to come
Four seasons, honestly.
01
Spring
March to May
The miracle of nature waking up after the winter slumber. The cottonwoods leaf out along the river, the light lengthens, and the town is quiet before summer. Bring a jacket for the evenings and expect a few windy afternoons.
02
Summer
June to August
June is full of blooms, and July brings the International Folk Art Market, the largest of its kind in the world. The opera opens in early July and music fills the air, and Indian Market takes over the Plaza in August. Afternoon rain most days, cool nights on the portale. Book early.
03
Fall
September to October
Aspens turn on the ski basin road, the air smells of roasting chile, and the Balloon Fiesta fills the sky over Albuquerque for nine days in early October. The clearest light of the year.
04
Winter
November to February
Farolitos on Canyon Road at Christmas, skiing about forty minutes up the mountain, and long evenings by the firepit under the coldest, brightest stars.