Courtesy photo: Holiday Stroll at Museum of International Folk Art. Photo by Cousineau Studios.
A cultural tapestry of holiday traditions across New Mexico
By Ash Espinoza
As the first snow settles on the mountain peaks and the scent of piñon wood fills the air, New Mexico comes alive with the warmth of shared tradition. Across our vast and diverse state, from the mesas of the north to the deserts of the south, the holiday season unfolds not as a single story, but as a tapestry—woven with light, music, food, and community.
The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) honors this living heritage each year through its New Mexico Traditions series, a collection of events that celebrate the state’s extraordinary blend of cultures and customs. Spanning from October to January, the program shines a light on the people and practices that make the Land of Enchantment a place like no other.
Southern Lights: Where Heritage and Holiday Spirit Meet
In Las Cruces, the season begins with New Mexico HomeGrown at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum (November 22), an event that highlights the artistry and agriculture at the heart of the region. Visitors can browse locally made foods, crafts, and handmade gifts—each item a reflection of the land and people who made it.
A few weeks later, the museum’s grounds transform into a winter wonderland for Farm-La-La (December 10). Thousands of lights illuminate the 47-acre site, casting barns and fields in a festive glow. Families stroll through twinkling paths, sipping hot chocolate, and listening to local musicians.
Courtesy photo: Holiday Stroll at Museum of International Folk Art. Photo by Cousineau Studios.
Northern Traditions: Stories in Light and Song
The heart of New Mexico’s holiday season beats strongest in Santa Fe, where art, faith, and heritage converge in brilliant celebration.
At the New Mexico History Museum, Las Posadas on the Plaza (December 7) is one of the season’s most cherished traditions and brings community and history together in the heart of Santa Fe.
A few days later, Holidays at the Palace (December 12) transforms the historic Palace of the Governors courtyard into a haven of warmth and wonder. Families gather for carols, cocoa, and conversation with Santa Claus beneath glowing farolitos. The laughter of children and strumming of guitars echo off adobe walls that have witnessed centuries of celebration.
To the west, in the red rock canyons of Jemez Springs, Lights of Gisewa (December 12–13) offers one of New Mexico’s most breathtaking sights. Hundreds of farolitos outline the ruins of the old pueblo and the 17th-century San José de los Jémez Mission Church. Visitors enjoy Native dances, songs, and crafts while the flickering lights honor both history and resilience.
Farther east, Fort Sumner’s Winter Letters and Farolito Tour (December 6) at the Bosque Redondo Memorial invites guests into an evening of remembrance. Guided by candlelight, participants hear historical letters and Native storytelling that weave together the narratives of loss, survival, and community—powerful reminders of the many stories held within New Mexico’s soil.
Central Celebrations: Light, Art, and Community
In Albuquerque, the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) shines with Luminito (December 14)—a towering 20-foot-tall luminaria that illuminates the Plaza Mayor, symbolizing warmth, unity, and light in the darkness.
Meanwhile, in Alamogordo, the New Mexico Museum of Space History invites families to look skyward during Holiday on the Hill (December 13). Visitors explore the cosmos through live planetarium shows and stargazing, blending the wonder of discovery with the spirit of the season.
Courtesy photo: Gustave Baumann marionette, ca. 1931. Painted wood, fabric, leather, foil, brass. Gift of Jane Baumann, 1978. 1994.16.5. Photo courtesy of New Mexico Museum of Art.
Museums of Light, Creativity, and Culture
Back in Santa Fe, two beloved institutions— the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art—join forces for their Holiday Winter Stroll celebration (December 14). Visitors are welcomed with farolitos lining the pathways, Native dance performances, and hands-on holiday crafts. It’s a day that bridges cultures and generations through color, movement, and creativity.
Nearby, the New Mexico Museum of Art hosts its Holiday Open House (December 13), an afternoon filled with live music, art-making activities, and community joy. Across town, the Vladem Contemporary in the Railyard welcomes visitors to explore its galleries, where modern creativity meets the timeless warmth of the holiday spirit.
Illuminating the Heart of New Mexico
Each event tells a piece of a larger story. Together, they reflect the deep roots and enduring creativity of New Mexico’s people. The holiday season here is not just a time of celebration, it’s a season of connection.
In every corner of the state, communities gather around light to share food, laughter, and song. Traverse a path of farolitos, listen to children’s laughter beneath adobe eaves, marvel at handcrafted art, and pause to ponder the stories that shaped this land. This winter, we invite you to bundle up and step into our living heritage. New Mexico’s holidays are not just anticipated, they are experienced.
Courtesy Photo: Courtesy of New Mexico Museum of Art. Photo by Matt Underwood.
Courtesy Photo: Lights of Gisewa at Jemez Historic Site. Courtesy of NMDCA.
Ash Espinoza is public relations specialist for the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and the Office of Archaeological Studies.