Events in Santa Fe
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
888.422.7277
www.balloonfiesta.com
Every year in early October, hundreds of hot air balloons in all shapes and sizes rise into the big blue sky over Albuquerque during the celebrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This 10-day festival hosts balloonists from a third of the world’s countries and is the largest ballooning event—and the most photographed event—on earth.
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Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Santa Fe Season
505.983.5591
www.aspensantafeballet.com
Founded in 1990, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a nationally recognized professional dance company. The group’s 10 classically trained dancers perform an eclectic repertoire by some of the world’s foremost choreographers every year.
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Buckaroo Ball
www.buckarooball.com
505.992.3700
The Buckaroo Ball is the largest single-event fundraiser in the state of New Mexico. The glamorous cowgirls and cowboys who attend enjoy parties, musical entertainment, dancing, outstanding food from some of Santa Fe’s finest restaurants, a home and garden tour, and a huge charity auction. Since its inception in 1994, the Buckaroo Ball has helped raised millions of dollars for at-risk children in Santa Fe County.
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Canyon Road Farolito Walk
www.santafe.org
800-777-2489
This is one of Santa Fe’s signature seasonal events. On Christmas Eve, Start at the base of Canyon Road at dusk, follow the crowds and farolitos, sip cider, sing carols, and wind your way up Canyon Road and along the charming narrow side streets.
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Fiesta de Santa Fe (Santa Fe Fiesta)
505.988.7575
www.santafefiesta.org
www.zozobra.com
The oldest continually celebrated festival in the United States, Fiesta is a favorite local event, held annually in Santa Fe since 1712. Commemorating Don Diego De Vargas’s peaceful reoccupation of the city in 1692, the celebration includes music, parades, arts and crafts festivals, and the burning of Zozobra, a giant marionette effigy, to dispel the hardships and troubles of the preceding year.
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Indian Market
505.983.5220
www.swaia.org
Every August for more than 80 years, the most gifted Native American artists in the United States have gathered in Santa Fe for Indian Market. This extended weekend is the world’s largest and most highly acclaimed show devoted exclusively to Native American arts. Artisans from across the country present their works—baskets, blankets, jewelry, pottery, woodcarvings, rugs, paintings, sculptures, and more—to thousands of visitors from around the world.
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International Folk Art Market
505.476.1166
www.folkartmarket.org
The largest international folk art market in the United States and one of Santa Fe’s signature events, the International Folk Art Market aims to create sustainability for folk art and artists worldwide. Begun in 2004, the market brings masters of folk art to Santa Fe to share their skills and sell their art. The 2006 International Folk Art Market showcased works by 100 artists and drew nearly 15,000 visitors.
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Lannan Readings and Conversations
September through May
505.986.8160
www.lannan.org/lf/programs/rc/
Annually from September to May, the Lannan Foundation presents a variety of public programs focusing on literature, cultural freedom, and indigenous community issues. The popular Readings and Conversations series brings nationally and internationally recognized poets and writers to Santa Fe to read and discuss their work at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.
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National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show (Albuquerque)
505.873.8680
www.fiery-foods.com/shows.asp
Begun in 1988, this show, open to the trade and the public, attracts more than 10,000 growers, manufacturers, buyers, retailers, and fiery-food enthusiasts every year. Everything chile-related—from super-hot sauces, vodka, tequila, popcorn, pancake mix, ice cream, and candy to clothing and books—is available here.
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Pancakes on the Plaza
505.982.2002
www.uwsfc.org/pancakes.html
Every year, the United Way of Santa Fe County hosts this community Fourth of July benefit. More than 10,000 people show up for breakfast (from 7:00 a.m. and until noon) and entertainment by big bands, flamenco dancers, opera singers, and local musicians.
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Rodeo de Santa Fe
505.471.4300
www.rodeodesantafe.org
The rodeo began in Santa Fe in 1949, and it’s now one of the top 100 in the United States. Events include barrel racing, calf roping, team roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and bull riding.
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Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
888.221.9836 or 505.983.2075
www.sfcmf.org
One of the world’s preeminent music festivals, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1972. Every year, thousands of patrons flock to enjoy the performances of distinguished musicians and emerging young talent at more than 80 concerts, recitals, master classes, youth concerts, and open rehearsals.
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Santa Fe Desert Chorale Summer Festival
505.988.2282
www.desertchorale.org
Recognized as one of the finest professional choral ensembles in the United States, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is known for its moving performances in some of Santa Fe’s most beautiful and historic sites.
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Santa Fe Farmers Market
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, April–October; indoors November–April
505.983.4098
www.santafefarmersmarket.com
Enjoy a pleasant morning stroll through Santa Fe’s impressive farmers market, one of the most widely recognized markets in the United States. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, organic meats, plants, and crafts are for sale by more than 100 vendors. One hundred percent of the produce and plants and at least 80 percent of the ingredients and materials used to make processed and craft items are grown in New Mexico.
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Santa Fe Film Festival
505.988.5225
www.santafefilmfestival.com
Since its beginnings in 2000, the Santa Fe Film Festival has provided a forum for filmmakers, critics, educators, and historians and has presented important new American and world cinema as well as works by New Mexican filmmakers.
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Santa Fe Opera
800.280.4654 or 505.986.5900
www.santafeopera.org
The Santa Fe Opera is internationally renowned for its open-air theater—located on a mesa seven miles north of town—and for outstanding performances of both old and new operas. Audiences face west, allowing them to simultaneously enjoy the natural surroundings; performances begin around sunset, giving opera-goers the opportunity to take advantage of New Mexico sunsets and the tradition of tailgate dining.
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Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
505.438.8060
www.santafewineandchile.org
A week of food and wine events designed to promote Santa Fe as a world-class culinary destination, the Wine & Chile Fiesta includes seminars, luncheons, cooking demonstrations and classes, wine tastings, a “golf scramble” with wine and food served every third hole, and winemaker dinners. Local chefs and wine experts as well as visiting vineyard representatives and chefs participate.
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Ski Santa Fe
505.982.4429; off-season: 505.983.9155; snow report: 505.983.9155
www.skisantafe.com
Nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 16 miles from the heart of town, Ski Santa Fe sits at an elevation of 10,350 feet and is among the highest ski areas in the continental United States. First-time skiers and snowboarders and seasoned veterans flock to the Santa Fe ski area for some of the southwest’s finest winter fun. The vistas atop the mountain are unsurpassed, so the chair lift is open in the fall to provide an airborne appreciation of the fall foliage.
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Spanish Market
505.982.2226
www.spanishmarket.org
Organized and produced by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society, the annual Spanish Market showcases handcrafted traditional arts by hundreds of Hispanic artists, demonstrations, music, and regional foods. The oldest and largest exhibition and sale of Spanish art in the United States, Spanish Market invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy a taste of New Mexico’s vibrant Spanish culture, both past and present.
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Taste of Santa Fe
505.982.6366, ext. 112
www.tasteofsantafe.com
This festive one-day event—benefiting the Palace of the Governors—provides an opportunity to sample appetizers, entrees, desserts, and more from many of Santa Fe’s finest chefs.
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Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market
505.670.2599 or 505.231.8536
www.tesuquepueblofleamarket.com
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, mid-March through November
More than 250 vendors offer handcrafted merchandise from the Santa Fe area and around the world. The bargain shopper will love “the Best Flea Market in America" for its jewelry, carvings, folk art, rugs, pottery, and vintage clothing.
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Be sure to visit the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website for additional information on activities and attractions in the Santa Fe area.
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