Experience the community joy this holiday season in Santa Fe! Our guide has all the festive happenings. Whether you're a native or a newcomer, our guide is your key to Santa Fe's holiday magic.
Join locals and visitors alike at the enchanting Christmas Eve Farolito Walk, where softly glowing lanterns light up the pathways, creating a heartwarming atmosphere. The Canyon Road Farolito Walk features intricate farolitos and luminarias, inviting you to stroll through the historic district's charming streets. And Las Posadas is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its traditional reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Santa Fe
- Christmas Eve Farolito Walk
- Canyon Road Farolito Walk
- Las Posadas
- Santa Fe Winter Indian Market
- GLOW - A Winter Lights Event
- Holiday Open House
- The Nutcracker Ballet
- Christmas at the Palace
- Native Treasures Holiday Market
- Santa Fe Artists Market
Santa Fe Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Eve Farolito Walk
What to Expect:
Thousands of candlelit paper lanterns lining historic adobe buildings
Description:
Thousands of flickering farolitos illuminate Santa Fe's historic streets on Christmas Eve. This cherished tradition transforms the city into a glowing tapestry of light and shadow. Stroll along Canyon Road, admiring the warm glow emanating from these handcrafted paper lanterns. The farolito walk dates back to the early 19th century, blending Spanish and Native American customs. You can create your own farolito to add to the display, joining locals in this communal celebration of light and community.
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Canyon Road Farolito Walk
What to Expect:
Art galleries and historic adobe buildings adorned with farolitos
Description:
Canyon Road bursts to life on Christmas Eve as farolitos line its winding path. This beloved Santa Fe tradition showcases the city's artistic heritage against a backdrop of softly glowing paper lanterns. Meander past centuries-old adobe structures and world-class galleries, their doors flung open in welcome. The aroma of piñon wood smoke fills the air from crackling bonfires. Canyon Road's history as an artistic haven dates back to the 1920s, making this event a true celebration of Santa Fe's cultural legacy.
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GLOW - A Winter Lights Event
What to Expect:
Immersive light installations in a botanical garden setting
Description:
GLOW transforms the Santa Fe Botanical Garden into a luminous winter spectacle. Cutting-edge light installations intertwine with the natural landscape, creating an otherworldly experience. Wander through glowing pathways, discovering artistic creations that play with color, shadow, and form. This event marries technology with nature, offering a fresh take on holiday lighting. GLOW also celebrates the winter solstice, connecting to ancient traditions of light festivals during the darkest time of year.
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Lighting of the Christmas Trees
What to Expect:
Community tree-lighting ceremony with cultural performances
Description:
Santa Fe's Lighting of the Christmas Trees unites the community in a celebration of light and diversity. This annual event illuminates the Plaza with a dazzling display of decorated trees. Cultural performances showcase the city's rich heritage, featuring traditional Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo holiday customs. The ceremony traces its roots to the early 20th century, evolving into a beloved tradition that reflects Santa Fe's multicultural identity. Join locals in singing carols as the trees burst into light, marking the official start of the holiday season.
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Lighting of the Christmas Trees
Santa Fe Holiday Markets and Shopping
Santa Fe Winter Indian Market
What to Expect:
Showcases contemporary Native American art and crafts
Description:
The Santa Fe Winter Indian Market spotlights the vibrant creativity of contemporary Native American artists. This juried show brings together talented craftspeople from across North America, offering a diverse array of pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more. Engage with artists directly, learning about their techniques and cultural inspirations. The market continues a centuries-old tradition of Native American trade in Santa Fe, adapting it for the modern era. Live performances of traditional music and dance enliven the atmosphere.
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Native Treasures Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Curated selection of high-quality Native American art
Description:
The Native Treasures Holiday Market showcases exceptional Native American art in an intimate setting. This curated event brings together some of the most talented indigenous artists from across the Southwest. Explore a diverse array of traditional and contemporary works, from intricate beadwork to innovative sculpture. Engage directly with artists, learning about their creative processes and cultural inspirations. The market continues Santa Fe's long history as a center for Native American art, dating back to the establishment of the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1922.
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Native Treasures Holiday Market
Santa Fe Artists Market
What to Expect:
Outdoor market featuring local artists in historic downtown
Description:
The Santa Fe Artists Market brings local creativity to the heart of the city. Set against the backdrop of the historic downtown, this outdoor market showcases a diverse range of artistic talents. Browse paintings, sculptures, photography, and crafts, all created by Santa Fe-based artists. The market's location near the Plaza connects it to centuries of artistic tradition in the city. Engage with creators directly, learning about their techniques and inspirations while supporting the local arts community.
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Santa Fe Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Incorporates New Mexican cultural elements into classic ballet
Description:
Santa Fe's Nutcracker Ballet infuses Tchaikovsky's classic with unique Southwestern flair. This innovative production weaves local cultural elements into the traditional story, creating a distinctly New Mexican experience. Dancers perform against backdrops inspired by the region's landscapes and architecture. The production incorporates Native American and Hispanic motifs into costumes and set design. Watch as familiar characters take on new life, blending classical ballet with the rich cultural tapestry of the American Southwest.
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Santa Fe Other Holiday Activities
Las Posadas
What to Expect:
Reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging
Description:
Las Posadas brings biblical history to life in the streets of Santa Fe. This nine-night celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph's journey, with costumed actors processing through the city. Spectators join the nightly pilgrimage, singing traditional songs and carrying candles. The event culminates at the Palace of the Governors, where refreshments await. Las Posadas has been a cherished tradition in New Mexico since the Spanish colonial era, blending religious devotion with community spirit.
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Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes access to historic Palace of the Governors
Description:
The Holiday Open House offers a rare glimpse into the heart of Santa Fe's history. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, opens its doors for an intimate celebration. Explore rooms typically closed to the public, adorned with holiday decorations reflecting New Mexico's diverse cultural heritage. Live music echoes through the centuries-old halls, bringing history to life. You can participate in traditional crafts, connecting to the rich artistic legacy of the region.
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Christmas at the Palace
What to Expect:
Recreates a 19th-century frontier Christmas celebration
Description:
Christmas at the Palace transports visitors to a 19th-century New Mexican Christmas. The Palace of the Governors comes alive with historically accurate decorations, music, and activities. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and share stories of frontier life. The scent of piñon and cider fills the air, evoking the essence of a bygone era. This event offers a glimpse into Santa Fe's colonial past, showcasing the blending of Spanish, Native American, and American traditions that shaped the region's unique holiday customs.
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Nearby Events
Christmas Day Pueblo Dances (San Ildefonso Pueblo)
What to Expect:
Traditional Native American dances performed on Christmas Day
Description:
Christmas Day Pueblo Dances at San Ildefonso Pueblo offer a profound cultural experience. These sacred dances blend Native American spirituality with Christian traditions, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange. Witness intricate footwork and vibrant regalia as dancers move to the rhythm of drums and chants. The dances take place in the pueblo's central plaza, surrounded by adobe structures that have stood for generations. This event provides a rare opportunity to observe living Native American traditions, connecting past and present in a powerful display of cultural continuity.