It's holiday time, Las Cruces! Let our guide show you all the best seasonal activities. Whether you're a familiar face in Las Cruces or a new visitor, our guide shows you the best holiday activities.
One must-see event is the Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting, where the community gathers to illuminate the magnificent tree and enjoy festive performances. For a unique cultural experience, attend Noche de Luminarias, a beautiful display of over 6,000 luminarias that light up the NMSU campus, creating a magical evening stroll. And Christmas Eve Carols at the Plaza is something you definitely don't want to miss, with joyful singing and holiday spirit filling the air. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Las Cruces
- Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting
- Noche de Luminarias
- Christmas Carriage Rides
- Las Cruces Holiday Craft Fair
- Las Cruces Nutcracker Ballet
- WinterFest
- Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Las Cruces Holiday Light Displays
Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-wide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Las Cruces ushers in the holiday season with a grand illumination of its city Christmas tree. The towering evergreen, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, stands as a beacon of community spirit in the heart of downtown. Local choirs and bands perform seasonal favorites, filling the air with joyous melodies. Children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, who makes a special appearance to help flip the switch. This annual tradition, dating back several decades, has become a cherished moment for generations of Las Cruces families to come together and celebrate the start of the festive season.
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Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting
Noche de Luminarias
What to Expect:
Thousands of candlelit paper lanterns illuminate the NMSU campus
Description:
New Mexico State University's campus glows with the soft light of thousands of luminarias on a crisp December evening. This beloved tradition, known as Noche de Luminarias, transforms the university grounds into a breathtaking display of warmth and community. Students and volunteers carefully place and light each paper lantern by hand, creating intricate patterns along walkways and buildings. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated pathways, enjoying hot chocolate and the sounds of mariachi bands. The event traces its roots to the Spanish colonial era, when small bonfires guided people to midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
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Las Cruces Holiday Markets and Shopping
Las Cruces Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcases unique, locally-made gifts and crafts
Description:
Local artisans and craftspeople converge at the Las Cruces Holiday Craft Fair, offering a treasure trove of unique, handmade gifts. The event spotlights the rich artistic traditions of southern New Mexico, from intricate Native American jewelry to vibrant Mexican-inspired textiles. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, gaining insight into the skill and dedication behind each piece. The aroma of fresh-baked treats and spiced cider wafts through the air as shoppers browse. This fair not only provides one-of-a-kind holiday shopping but also supports the local creative community, a tradition that has bolstered the area's economy for generations.
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Las Cruces Holiday Giving Opportunities
Toys for Tots Toy Drive
What to Expect:
Community-wide effort to ensure every child receives a gift
Description:
The Las Cruces Toys for Tots Toy Drive rallies the entire community in a spirited effort to brighten the holidays for local children in need. Fire stations, businesses, and community centers across the city serve as collection points, filling with new, unwrapped toys. Local volunteers, including many active and retired Marines, dedicate countless hours to sorting and distributing the gifts. The drive often features special events like motorcycle runs and charity sports matches to boost donations. This initiative, part of a national program started in 1947, has become a cornerstone of Las Cruces' holiday giving, reflecting the city's strong sense of community and commitment to its youngest residents.
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Las Cruces Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Las Cruces Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Incorporates local cultural elements into the classic ballet
Description:
The Las Cruces Nutcracker Ballet infuses the beloved holiday classic with unique southwestern flair. Local dancers bring the story to life, incorporating elements of traditional New Mexican dance alongside classical ballet. The production features custom-designed sets that reflect the region's adobe architecture and desert landscapes. Keep an eye out for special appearances by folklórico dancers and even a few chile pepper-inspired characters. This innovative interpretation of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece has become a cherished annual tradition, blending the city's rich cultural heritage with the timeless magic of The Nutcracker.
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Las Cruces Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Carriage Rides
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage tours through historic downtown
Description:
Clip-clop through the streets of downtown Las Cruces in a horse-drawn carriage, experiencing the city's holiday decorations from a unique perspective. These elegant rides offer a glimpse into the past, reminiscent of the area's early days as a frontier settlement. Blankets are provided to keep you cozy as you admire the twinkling lights and festive storefronts. Your knowledgeable driver shares tales of local history and holiday traditions as you pass by landmarks like the Rio Grande Theatre and the Branigan Cultural Center. This charming experience allows you to step back in time while creating new holiday memories.
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WinterFest
What to Expect:
Combines winter activities with desert climate experiences
Description:
WinterFest in Las Cruces offers a unique blend of winter fun in a desert setting. Ice skating under the warm New Mexico sun provides a surreal experience, while artificial snow allows for sledding and snowman-building contests. Local food vendors serve up a fusion of traditional winter fare and southwestern cuisine, like green chile hot chocolate. Live music performances showcase the region's diverse cultural influences, from mariachi to country. You can try your hand at making traditional luminarias or take a guided nature walk to learn about desert plants in winter. This event celebrates the joy of the season while embracing Las Cruces' distinctive climate and culture.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Eve Carols at the Plaza (Mesilla)
What to Expect:
Traditional caroling in a historic plaza setting
Description:
Mesilla's historic plaza transforms on Christmas Eve as voices rise in harmony. Carolers gather around the gazebo, their melodies echoing off adobe walls that have stood for over 150 years. This cherished tradition brings the community together, blending English and Spanish carols in a nod to the region's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can join in the singing or simply bask in the glow of farolitos lining the plaza. The event harkens back to Mesilla's days as a 19th-century frontier town, when holiday celebrations served as a vital connection to distant homelands.
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Christmas Eve Carols at the Plaza
La Posada Celebration (Mesilla)
What to Expect:
Reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem
Description:
Mesilla's historic plaza comes alive with the La Posada celebration, a vivid reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging. Community members in period costumes process through the streets, knocking on doors and singing traditional songs in Spanish. Spectators can join the procession, carrying candles and participating in the centuries-old tradition. The event culminates in a joyous gathering at the plaza, where participants share hot chocolate and biscochitos, New Mexico's official state cookie. This deeply meaningful celebration has been a part of Mesilla's cultural fabric for generations, connecting modern-day residents with their Spanish colonial roots.