Catch the creative spirit of New Mexico at celebrations and events that engage the senses, treat the tastebuds, and make Fall fun.

See August out with a Charles Ross exhibition in Taos and the Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe. In September head to the NM State Fair, then back to Santa Fe for the Wine and Chile Fiesta. Celebrate music and the arts in Taos at the beginning of October, and be blown away by Albuquerque’s spectacular balloon festival.

 

Special Events in New Mexico: Worth the Detour

Charles Ross: Mansions of the Zodiac
To September 7, 2025, Taos

This exhibition, inspired by sunlight, starlight, time, and planetary motion, opens as Ross nears completion of his earth/sky work, Star Axis, a monumental sculpture, and naked eye observatory on the eastern plains of New Mexico.

Burning of Zozobra
August 29, 2025, Santa Fe

101st Annual: Out with the glooms – this traditional burning of a 50-foot marionette to farewell bad energy was begun by Will Shuster in 1924. Every year a Zozobra or ‘Old Man Gloom’ is built from wire, and shredded paper, then stuffed with ‘glooms’, unwanted written messages to burn.

New Mexico State Fair
September 4-14, 2025, Albuquerque

87th Annual: Wynnona kicks off this year’s blockbuster event celebrating New Mexico’s food, farming, agriculture, culture, and creativity. Complete with rodeos, races, comedy, sideshows, music, and other entertainment.

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
September 24-28, 2025, Santa Fe

34th Annual: Wine and chile, what’s not to love? Five-day festival showcasing the city’s outstanding food and regional wine with Santa Fe restaurants and chefs at its big heart, and a dynamic schedule of tastings, talks, classes and tours.

Taos Fall Arts Festival
Dates TBA, 2025, Taos

Not-for-profit visual arts show, celebrating Taos County artists across a diverse range of mediums, cultures, traditions, and ages.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
October 4-12, 2025, Albuquerque

53rd Annual: Painted Skies, Endless Wonder – October is a glorious month in NM as Fall brings blue skies, cooler mornings, and the hundreds of colorful balloons of this fabulous annual spectacular. Also: skydiving, night glows, drone shows, dawn patrols, and the creative “Special Shape Rodeo.”  See our itinerary to help you plan.

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
October 31- November 2, 2025, Taos

42nd Annual: Morning mass acensions are spectacular against the backdrop of high country colors in Fall. Live music Saturday evening, food, coffee, arts and crafts vendors, and trick or treat balloon glow after dark on Saturday. Also tethered balloon rides for local school kids.

Dia de Los Muertos Marigold Parade
October 24 – November 2 2025, Albuquerque

Themed traditional annual procession and celebration in the Old Twon Albuquerque, held on the first Sunday of November to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Festival of the Cranes
December 3-7 2025, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, ‘Around New Mexico’

36th Annual: Takes place during crane migrations and this year co-hosted by the City of Socorro, this event includes refuge tours, birding and photography workshops, local tours, hikes geology, and art workshops. Also keynote speakers.

 

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Full Calendars of Events

New Mexico

• Albuquerque
  • (Pair your travel with Albuquerque itineraries from Slow Down See More)
• Santa Fe
  • (Pair your travel with Santa Fe itineraries from Slow Down See More)
• Taos
  • (Pair your travel with Taos itineraries from Slow Down See More)