There are TONS of fun festivals and events not just here in Albuquerque, but throughout New Mexico.  Keep an eye out on this column to see what's happening.  After all--not every adventure needs a plane ticket!

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The following event list was kindly provided by Mark Aspelin, The New Mexico Travel Guy.

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September 2025

• September 13, 2025: The 43rd Annual Pie Festival (Pie Town). The Annual Pie Festival in Pie Town, New Mexico, is a beloved celebration of homemade pies, small-town charm, and community spirit. Held every September, the festival features pie-baking contests, a pie-eating competition, live music, and family-friendly activities. Visitors from all over come to sample a variety of pies and enjoy a quintessentially American experience in the heart of New Mexico’s scenic landscape. To learn more about Pie Town, here’s an article I wrote about the Pie Town and the festival.

• September 26–28, 2025: Four Corners Balloon Rally (Farmington). The Four Corners Balloon Rally is a three-day celebration featuring morning hot air balloon ascensions and evening balloon glows. Morning launches are scheduled at Lake Farmington and Piedra Vista High School, while evening glows will illuminate San Juan College and Downtown Farmington. The event also includes food vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities. Admission is free. More details here.​

October 2025

• October 3–4, 2025: Southwest Apple & Chile Fest (Farmington). Held in Historic Downtown Farmington, the Southwest Apple & Chile Fest celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage with a family-friendly festival. The event kicks off on Friday with the Maker’s Market and Art Walk, featuring local artists and live music. Saturday brings the “Chile in October” cook-off along Main Street, where attendees can sample various chile dishes, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in voting for their favorites. The festival is free to attend, with a $20 wristband available for unlimited chile tastings and voting. More details at farmingtonnm.org/events/southwest-apple-fest.

• October 4, 2025: Road Apple Rally (Farmington). The Road Apple Rally is the longest-running mountain bike race in the U.S., challenging riders on Farmington’s desert trails. This annual event attracts cyclists of all levels for a day of competition and outdoor fun. More details here.​

• October 4 – 12, 2025: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Albuquerque). The largest hot air balloon event in the world, with hundreds of balloons filling the sky each morning, evening glows, and live entertainment. Here’s a link to the Balloon Fiesta event website.

• October 18, 2025: Trinity Site Open House (White Sands Missile Range). The Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was tested in 1945, opens to the public just one day in 2025, on October 18th. Visitors can tour Ground Zero, view historical photographs, and visit the McDonald Ranch House, where the bomb’s plutonium core was assembled. The Trinity Site Open House offers a unique opportunity to explore a pivotal location in world history.

November 2025

• November 1, 2025: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration (Mesilla / Las Cruces). Día de los Muertos is a vibrant celebration that honors departed loved ones through art, music, and cultural traditions. The event features art exhibits, live musical performances, community altars, and a local vendors marketplace. Families can also enjoy children’s crafts and a play area, making it a meaningful occasion for all ages. To learn more, you can visit the Las Cruces Dia De Los Muertos website.

December 2025

• Late November – December 30, 2025: River of Lights (Albuquerque). Take a leisurely walk along our 1.6-mile trail, where you’ll encounter over 700 unique, hand-crafted light displays. Along the way, catch sight of animated and 3D sculptures, all brought to life by millions of sparkling lights. It’s New Mexico’s top pick for a walk-through holiday light show, and it just might become yours too. Here’s an article that I wrote about the River of Lights event to give you an idea of what to expect, and here’s the River of Lights event website.

• December 3 – 7, 2025: Festival of the Cranes (San Antonio, NM). Held annually at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico, the Festival of Cranes celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes and other birds. It features tours, workshops, and other activities for bird nerds like me. I also wrote a blog post about San Antonio and the Festival of Cranes.

• Early December 2025 (Final Date TBD): Old Town Holiday Stroll (Albuquerque). Enjoy holiday shopping, live music, and the grand lighting of the Christmas tree in the heart of Albuquerque’s historic Old Town.

• Early December 2025 (Final Date TBD): Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade (Ruidoso). The Festival of Lights Parade in Ruidoso is a cherished event that gathers friends and family for an evening of sparkling lights and community spirit. Following the parade, the celebration continues at the After Party in Wingfield Park. Here’s a link to the Ruidoso Festival of Lights event website.

• Early December 2025 (Final Date TBD): Las Posadas on the Plaza (Santa Fe). Las Posadas, a cherished tradition celebrated globally, depicts Mary and Joseph’s quest for lodging before Jesus’ birth. This year marks the 48th annual presentation of this historic Hispanic event, brought to life by local volunteers and participants from various northern New Mexico communities. The candle-lit procession kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe Plaza, wrapping up with festive carols and merriment. The History Museum will close at 3 p.m. to get ready for this complimentary public gathering. Arrive at the Plaza by 5:00 p.m. to prepare your candles.

• December 24, 2025: Canyon Road Farolito Walk (Santa Fe). On Christmas Eve, Santa Fe’s historic Canyon Road is illuminated with farolitos (small paper lanterns), creating a magical atmosphere as visitors stroll through the art district. The event begins at sunset on Canyon Road in Santa Fe.

• December 25, 2025: Luminaria Ski and Snowshoe at Enchanted Forest (Red River). Imagine spending the evening of Christmas Day (December 25th) on a short cross-country ski / snowshoe trail loop that is lit up by luminarias or farolitos. It’s supposed to be an amazing experience. Reservations available for 6pm or 8pm. Here’s a link to Enchanted Forest website for more info.

• December 31, 2025: Taos New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade (Taos). Ring in the New Year with a torchlight parade at Taos Ski Valley, where skiers carry torches down the mountain, followed by fireworks.

• Pueblo Feast Days and Dances (various locations in NM). Many of New Mexico’s pueblos host traditional dances and feasts during December, especially around Christmas. These events are rich in Native American culture and are open to respectful visitors. Be sure to contact the pueblo in advance to confirm event details and visitor protocols.

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​​All Things Santa Fe:  This handy website shows you what's happening in Santa Fe every day!  So when you're in the mood for a short trip north to the City Different, check out what's happening: https://www.santafe.org/visiting-santa-fe/calendar/

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Likewise, for All Things Albuquerque, check out this website: https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/abq365/events/

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