New Mexico Calendar of Events, Fairs and Festivals: Spring

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow: The Last Dance poster (cropped). ©

By Alison Plummer

Welcome Spring in New Mexico at celebrations, festivals, and events that engage the senses, treat the tastebuds, and make Spring fun.

In March, catch ballet in Santa Fe and the start of New Mexico’s standard and miniature fine art show, continuing through April, together with celebrations of the South West’s chocolate and coffee festival. Also in April, the Great New Mexico Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival and the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. May delivers SWAIA Native Fashion Week, the Santa Fe Literary Festival, and Taco Wars at the start of New Mexico Cocktail Week among its exciting line-up of events.

Special Events in New Mexico: Worth the Detour

American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
March 11, 2026, Santa Fe

Performing a dynamic program including classical favorites and neoclassical excerpts plus original commissions. The performance features a wide variety of styles, offering something for everyone to enjoy – from ballet newbies to lifelong fans.

Masterworks of New Mexico
March 28 to April 19, 2026, Albuquerque

28th Annual: Standard and miniature fine art show and sale as well as a program of paint-ins, pastel, acrylic, and watercolor workshops. All New Mexico artists can enter.

Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Festival
April 11-12, 2026, Albuquerque

17th Annual: Billed as the first and largest of its kind in the world, with delicious indulgences from more than 200 vendors (including small craft businesses) offering chocolate, coffee, and gourmet food with tastings, classes, and barista seminars.

Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
April 18, 2026, Albuquerque

11th Annual: Food Truck Festivals of America heads to Albuquerque with food trucks featuring NM home cooking, Asian/Southwestern Fusion food, local craft breweries, not to mention the world’s largest cotton candy. Also live music and an arts market.

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow
April 24-25, 2026, Albuquerque

43rd Annual: More than 3,000 indigenous, Native American, and Indian dancers and singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to participate annually.

Albuquerque Turkish Festival
May 2, 2026, Albuquerque

Sample delicious Turkish- Mediterranean cuisine including Shish Kebabs, Kofta, Gozleme, Baklava, Gyros, and, of course, Turkish Coffee. also featuring Whirling Dervishes on stage, cultural exhibits, and colorful Turkish arts and crafts.

SWAIA Native Fashion Week
May 8-9, 2026, Santa Fe

Showcasing the diverse creative talents of North America’s Indigenous designers as well as artists whose works blur the boundaries between fashion, art, and design. Expect a refined, curated format to deepen engagement, strengthen designer visibility, and create an intimate, storytelling-driven experience.

Santa Fe International Literary Festival
May 15-17, 2026, Santa Fe

Literary feast at this cultural crossroads, where authors and book-lovers meet to explore the issues of today, as well as escaping into stories. Authors tbc, check website.

Taco Wars
May 28, 2026, Santa Fe

11th Annual: Kicking off New Mexico Cocktail Week, chefs serve up their signature tacos at Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion, presented by The Liquid Muse.