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Christmas in Santa Fe 2024

The Biggest and Best Christmas Guide to Santa Fe and Surrounding Areas

Last updated: November 22, 2024

Welcome to the perfect holiday guide for Santa Fe! Find all the top festive events and attractions right here. From Santa Fe die-hards to casual visitors, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.

One of the highlights of Santa Fe's holiday season is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk, where locals and visitors stroll along Canyon Road, enjoying the glow of thousands of farolitos lighting the way. Another popular event is the Winter Spanish Market, showcasing traditional folk art and crafts perfect for holiday gift-giving. And don't forget New Year's Eve on the Plaza, a lively gathering featuring music and fireworks to ring in the new year. Be sure to check out the rest of the page for more festive happenings.

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Santa Fe Holiday Light Displays

Canyon Road Farolito Walk

What to Expect
A dazzling display of lanterns along a historic art district.
Description
The Canyon Road Farolito Walk transforms Santa Fe's iconic Canyon Road into a breathtaking scene illuminated by thousands of paper lanterns. Strolling along this picturesque art district, visitors can appreciate the warm glow of farolitos, indulge in seasonal treats from local vendors, and enjoy live music performances. Artists and galleries open their doors, adding to the community spirit of this cherished evening.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Canyon Road Farolito Walk
Tags : farolitos, Santa Fe, holiday lights, community event, lantern walk

Christmas Tree Lighting on the Plaza

What to Expect
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by vintage fire truck.
Description
The City of Santa Fe's annual Holiday Tree Lighting on the Plaza transforms the historic Santa Fe Plaza into a dazzling display of lights and music, featuring live entertainment, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and festive treats.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Christmas Tree Lighting on the Plaza
Tags : Santa Fe Plaza, holiday lights, live entertainment, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, cookies

Santa Fe Holiday Markets and Shopping

Winter Spanish Market

What to Expect
Unique local art and traditional New Mexican music and food.
Description
The Winter Spanish Market in Santa Fe features traditional New Mexican art, including santos, jewelry, weaving, and pottery. Enjoy local music and cuisine while shopping for unique pieces of artistic history.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Winter Spanish Market
Tags : Winter Spanish Market, Santa Fe, New Mexican art, local music, local cuisine

Santa Fe Holiday Shows and Entertainment

Entreflamenco Christmas Season

What to Expect
Intimate dinner theater setting with Flamenco performances.
Description
Entreflamenco Christmas Season offers an intimate dinner theater setting where you can witness the passion and thrill of Flamenco dancing. The event features holiday performances by the accomplished Entreflamenco dance company, providing a unique Spanish cabaret experience.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Entreflamenco Christmas Season
Tags : Flamenco, Christmas, Santa Fe, Spanish Cabaret

The Nutcracker

What to Expect
World-class ballet performance with diverse cultural elements.
Description
Usher in the holiday season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Join Clara on a festive carousel trip around the world and celebrate the holidays with ballet, flamenco, Chinese ribbon dance, and circus artists. New York City Ballet stars Brittany Pollack and Robert Fairchild join a stellar cast of performers from around the country.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : The Nutcracker
Tags : The Nutcracker, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, holiday ballet, New York City Ballet, festive performances

Santa Fe Symphony & Chorus: Sounds of the Season

What to Expect
Family-friendly winter concert with youth orchestra collaboration.
Description
The Santa Fe Symphony & Chorus presents Sounds of the Season, a festive concert featuring winter favorites under the baton of Maestro Guillermo Figueroa, with a special guest conductor appearance by Laurie Rossi. The event includes a side-by-side performance with the Santa Fe Symphony Youth Symphony Orchestra and a special appearance by this year’s senior division winner of The Symphony’s 2024 Concerto Competition.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Santa Fe Symphony & Chorus: Sounds of the Season
Tags : Santa Fe Symphony, Sounds of the Season, winter concert, family event, youth orchestra

Las Posadas

What to Expect
Procesión iluminada por velas en el centro histórico de Santa Fe.
Description
Las Posadas on the Plaza es una celebración histórica hispana que recrea la búsqueda de María y José por un lugar de refugio antes del nacimiento de Jesús.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Las Posadas
Tags : Posadas, celebración hispana, Santa Fe, procesión iluminada.

Santa Fe Desert Chorale: Candlelight Carols

What to Expect
High-quality video recording of the concert available for viewing at home.
Description
Join the Santa Fe Desert Chorale for their annual Candlelight Carols, featuring 24 of the best ensemble singers in the nation. This year's program, A Glimpse of Snow and Evergreen, honors the beauty of our winter mountain landscape and the traditions we keep at this special time of the year.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Santa Fe Desert Chorale: Candlelight Carols
Tags : Santa Fe Desert Chorale, holiday concert, choral music, winter program

Open House at the New Mexico History Museum and Museum of Art

What to Expect
Holiday marionette performances with Teatro Duende and the Baumann replica marionettes.
Description
The New Mexico Museum of Art celebrates the holiday season with its annual Holiday Open House, featuring an organ concert with Santa Fe Pro Musica, holiday crafts, performances by The Santa Fe Symphony Jazz Project, and beloved holiday marionette shows with Teatro Duende and the Baumann replica marionettes.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Open House at the New Mexico History Museum and Museum of Art
Tags : Holiday crafts, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Teatro Duende, marionette performances, holiday events

Santa Fe Other Holiday Activities

Christmas Eve Farolito Walk

What to Expect
Thousands of farolitos light up the streets of Santa Fe in a heartwarming tradition.
Description
The Christmas Eve Farolito Walk transforms Santa Fe’s historic streets into a stunning pathway illuminated by thousands of farolitos. As visitors stroll through the city, they are surrounded by the warm glow of candle-lit bags, enhancing the beauty of the adobe architecture. This cherished tradition features local music, festive refreshments, and a joyful atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season.
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : Christmas Eve Farolito Walk
Tags : Farolitos, Santa Fe, Holiday Tradition, Candlelight Walk, Christmas Eve

New Year’s Eve on the Plaza

What to Expect
Unique Zia symbol rising at midnight with fireworks display
Description
Ring in the New Year in Santa Fe, NM, with a FREE, fun, festive party as The City Different says ¡Adios to 2023 at the 9th Annual New Year's Eve on the Santa Fe Plaza. The free festivities begin at 8 pm with the Plaza warmed by stationary heaters and cozy piñon bonfires scenting the night air. Heat up the night with live music from Santa Fe's favorite bands. The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe will provide free hot chocolate and biscochitos, New Mexico’s official state cookie while supplies last. Around 11:45 pm, Mayor Alan Webber and city officials will invite the crowd to count down to a peaceful, prosperous new year. In recognition of Santa Fe’s status as #TheCityDifferent, nothing will drop. When the countdown ends, a colorful Zia symbol hand-crafted by a traditional local artisan will rise at the stroke of midnight. The Zia will rise against a backdrop of sparkling fireworks launched from Santa Fe's most historic hotel, La Fonda on the Plaza. The night sky will be alight with a blaze of colors as we welcome the New Year to Santa Fe, America's oldest capital city, with the age-old songs, Auld Lang Syne and Las Mañanitas, sung in a spirit of unity to say ¡Bienvenidos to 2024ǃ
Where
Santa Fe | More Info : New Year’s Eve on the Plaza
Tags : New Year's Eve, Santa Fe Plaza, live music, free hot chocolate, biscochitos, Zia symbol, fireworks