Updated on November 28, 2022, New Mexico, often envisioned as a sun-drenched summer haven, undergoes a magical transformation during the Christmas season. The state, deeply rooted in Latinx and Native American cultures, embraces the holiday with vibrant festivals, age-old traditions, and breathtaking displays of light. A quintessential symbol of Christmas in New Mexico is the ubiquitous luminaria – a humble yet captivating paper bag filled with sand and a single flickering candle. These luminarias, numbering in the thousands, illuminate streets, adorn rooftops, and line pathways, creating a warm and enchanting ambiance throughout the state. Visitors can immerse themselves in these dazzling displays in historic Old Town Albuquerque, the artistic city of Santa Fe, and the charming, culturally rich town of Taos. The Guide to Christmas in New Mexico: Activities, Events and Shopping, offers the best places to see the lights.
December in New Mexico often brings a dusting of snow to the iconic adobe structures, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. The state also offers opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. Santa Fe boasts a ski mountain just a short 30-minute drive from its central plaza, while Taos beckons with its renowned skiing slopes, easily accessible from the town center. Beyond skiing, many resorts provide a variety of winter activities, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowboarding adventures, horseback riding excursions, and exhilarating tubing runs. While the higher elevations may bring a chill, the festive lights and the palpable Christmas spirit will undoubtedly warm the hearts of all who visit. This Guide to Christmas in New Mexico: Activities, Events and Shopping should provide some insight on winter activities.
Light Your Evening With Luminarias
Christmas Eve in New Mexico is a truly special occasion, marked by the widespread display of luminarias. The main plazas of Santa Fe and Old Town Albuquerque become radiant spectacles, adorned with thousands of these flickering lights. In Santa Fe, the atmosphere is filled with festive cheer as cider is served, carols are sung, and groups embark on a traditional walk to the nearby Cross of the Martyrs park, a site that offers panoramic views of the city below. The annual Christmas Eve trek up Canyon Road in Santa Fe, a historic street lined with art galleries, is a highlight of the season. Luminarias and bonfires illuminate the way, while the galleries open their doors, often offering snacks and drinks to passersby.
Albuquerque hosts the largest luminaria display in the state. On Christmas Eve, the Old Town Plaza and the Country Club neighborhood are transformed into a sea of light, with luminarias lining the walkways that meander through the plaza and lead to the historic San Felipe de Neri Church. The church, a focal point of the community, holds a special Christmas Eve mass, adding to the spiritual significance of the occasion.
Meander Madrid
For a truly unique New Mexican Christmas experience, a visit to Madrid is highly recommended. This charming town, located about 40 minutes southwest of Santa Fe, is often considered the ultimate New Mexican Christmas destination. In the 1920s and 1930s, when Madrid was a company-run coal mining village, its Christmas light display was so spectacular that airlines would detour flights to provide passengers with an aerial view of the dazzling spectacle.
Today, Madrid continues to embrace the Christmas spirit. On Saturdays in December, the town’s unique boutiques and shops stay open late, allowing visitors to browse for gifts and souvenirs while taking in the captivating holiday lights. Madrid offers a nostalgic and enchanting atmosphere that captures the essence of Christmas in New Mexico. This is the best reason to make Madrid a stop for your Guide to Christmas in New Mexico: Activities, Events and Shopping.
See the Lights on Canyon Road
Santa Fe offers a multitude of Christmas activities and events beyond its iconic luminaria displays. Families can enjoy the annual Winter Spanish Market, a vibrant showcase of traditional Hispanic art and crafts. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, a magnificent architectural landmark, hosts a special Midnight Mass, a moving and spiritual experience. The New Mexico History Museum presents a traditional Las Posadas play, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem.
"Christmas at the Palace," an annual event held at the Palace of the Governors, combines cultural traditions and festive cheer. Families can enjoy carols, storytelling, Native American dances, and even an appearance by Santa Claus. The Palace of the Governors, a historic landmark, provides a fitting backdrop for this celebration of community and heritage.
On Christmas Eve, Canyon Road in Santa Fe comes alive with bonfires that warm the air and illuminate the adobe-lined street. People bundle up in their warmest clothing to stroll along the road, stopping in at the open galleries and restaurants for refreshments and holiday cheer. The combination of art, warmth, and festive spirit makes Canyon Road a truly special place to celebrate Christmas.
Spend Christmas on the Pecos in Carlsbad
One of New Mexico’s most impressive holiday light shows takes place every Christmas season in Carlsbad. "Christmas on the Pecos" transforms the Pecos River into a mesmerizing fairyland of twinkling lights. More than 100 local homeowners dedicate countless hours to creatively decorating their backyards and boat docks with millions of lights, creating a spectacle that delights visitors of all ages.
Boat tours, lasting approximately 40 minutes, glide along the Pecos River, offering a unique perspective on the dazzling displays. The tours operate every evening from the Pecos River Village between late November and the end of December, excluding Christmas Eve. "Christmas on the Pecos" is a true testament to the community spirit and the boundless creativity of the residents of Carlsbad.
Stroll the Albuquerque River of Lights
The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden in Albuquerque transforms into a winter wonderland throughout December with its annual "River of Lights" event. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the garden, creating a magical atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy. The event features a wide range of activities, including family entertainment, food vendors, craft booths, and even dinner with Santa and Father Time.
More than 1.5 miles of the garden’s pathways are adorned with large and small displays, all meticulously crafted to complement the holiday theme and showcase the beauty of flora and fauna. The displays incorporate light and movement, creating a captivating and immersive experience. "River of Lights" is open from late November through late December, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Discover Yuletide in Taos
Taos offers a uniquely New Mexican Christmas experience, with celebrations that reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. Candle-lit farolitos (luminarias) line the snow-draped streets in front of old adobe shopfronts and homes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. "Yuletide in Taos" encompasses the entire holiday season, highlighting the unique traditions that have been passed down through generations in the mountains of Northern New Mexico.
On Christmas Eve, Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts a stunning event that showcases the contrast between ancient traditions and modern celebrations. Massive bonfires illuminate the plaza, while the Procession of the Virgin takes place, accompanied by rifle salutes from the rooftops of the millennium-year-old adobe pueblo buildings. This inspiring pageant is a truly memorable experience.
On Christmas Day, the same plaza becomes the venue for an ancient Native American ceremonial dance honoring winter. This dance, steeped in tradition and symbolism, is a powerful expression of respect for nature and the changing seasons. Note that photography and video recording are not permitted at this event. The Guide to Christmas in New Mexico: Activities, Events and Shopping, has everything you need to start your Christmas Vacation.
