Top 10 Festivals In New Mexico, USA

1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

A nine-day event in Albuquerque that features balloon-filled skies and exciting balloon rodeos, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a great event no one should miss. Each day will be a surprise, as artists, entertainers, and big companies show up to the event. There will be grand displays of fireworks, photography competitions, hot air balloon contests, and all kinds of live performances. Those who come will surely enjoy the fun and engaging vibe that this festival has to offer.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Address: 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, United States

Website: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Takes place: October

2. Fiestas de Santa Fe

Held every second week of September, Fiestas de Santa Fe is an event celebrating multiple cultures, including Hispanic and Native American culture. The festival starts with the Novena masses and the procession of La Conquistadora to Rosario Chapel. Then, the event will proceed to the burning of Zozobra, a 15-meter-tall (50-feet) marionette that represents the people’s hardships and sorrows over the past year. A three-day celebration then follows, which is composed of a parade, thanksgiving masses, and the fiesta ball. Throughout the event, booths are set up throughout the area, with vendors selling all kinds of items ranging from arts and crafts to food and clothing.

Fiestas de Santa Fe

Address: 4400 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States

Website: Fiestas de Santa Fe

Takes place: September

3. Roswell UFO Festival

In July 1947, an unidentified flying object crashed on a ranch to the north of Roswell. The object was claimed by the Roswell Army Air Field to be a flying dish, furthering humanity’s curiosity on aliens and UFOs. Whether you are interested in aliens and extraterrestrial beings or just looking for a fun and unique event, Roswell UFO Festival is an event you will enjoy. The festival will be composed of the annual “alien chase”, a concert, an alien costume contest, car shows, and a light parade. Vendors will be able to sell all kinds of merch on their respective booths.

Roswell UFO Festival

Address: Main Street Roswell, 403 N. Richardson, Roswell, NM 88201

Website: Roswell UFO Festival

Takes place: July

4. Festival of the Cranes

Festival of the Cranes celebrates the cranes as they return to their winter home. The event is known to be one of the top wildlife events in North America. People who are interested in birds, other wild animals, and photography will surely enjoy the event. The festival will be hosting over 134 events in just four days. These include photography contests, multiple live performances, workshops, and special tours that will lead visitors to places that were previously not accessible.

Festival of the Cranes

Address: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, San Antonio, New Mexico, United States

Takes place: November

Website: Festival of the Cranes

5. Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

With over 36 years of history, Gathering of Nations is the biggest Pow Wow event in the country. It aims to bring together different tribes and celebrate and share each other’s cultures. This is a great way to learn about different tribes, cultures, and traditions. The event features 36 dance categories, a variety of singers, a parade, drumming competitions, and a Miss Indian World pageant. All throughout the event, visitors can check out the Indian Traders Market, where all kinds of goods are sold, including indigenous arts and crafts.

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

Address: Expo New Mexico; 300 San Pedro NE; Albuquerque, NM 87108

Website: Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

Takes place: April

6. Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Featuring over 160 artists from different countries, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is a massive event where artists can showcase and sell their works of art. People who are interested in the arts and want to learn new things will surely enjoy this festival. It aims to create opportunities for folk artists worldwide and also to celebrate folk art and traditions. One of the reasons why many people enjoy this is due to the sense of community that is felt throughout the event.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Address: 620 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States

Website: Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Takes place: July

7. Albuquerque River of Lights

Albuquerque River of Lights is a magnificent lights events held in the streets of Albuquerque. Enjoy millions of glowing lights meticulously arranged to form all kinds of amazing shapes and images. The festival features around 600 unique light displays, animated 3D sculptures, and a beautiful botanical garden where more lights are displayed. If you want to skip the line and view the displays with your kids, tickets for Magic Hour are also available for those who want to get first peek at the arrangements.

Albuquerque River of Lights

Address: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States

Website: Albuquerque River of Lights

Takes place: November to December

8. Hatch Chile Festival

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Celebrating the chili harvest of New Mexico, Hatch Chile Festival is a fun event where anybody looking for a fun event and good food should visit. The event attracts more than 30,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest chili events in America. Various activities are held at the festival, including Squeezie Chile Raffle, corn hole team tournament, and various live performances. There are also vendors selling local crafts, food, and of course, chili.

Hatch Chile Festival

Address: Hatch, NM 87937, United States

Website: Hatch Chile Festival

Takes place: September

9. Fiestas de Taos

Fiestas de Taos is an event held annually to celebrate and preserve over four centuries of culture and tradition of the people of Taos. To avoid confusion, the festival has four different names: Las Fiestas de Taos, Las Fiestas de don Fernando de Taos, Las Fiestas de Santiago y Santana, and Las Fiestas de la Gente. The event is composed of the selection of the Fiestas Queen, who is chosen from the locals, plus the procession of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, two parades, a variety of feasts, and all kinds of mini-programs and performances.

Fiestas de Taos

Address: Taos, NM, USA

Website: Fiestas de Taos

Takes Place: July

10. Silver City CLAY Festival

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Silver City Clay Festival is an annual event in New Mexico that celebrates and aims to give importance to the arts. The event has several hands-on workshops, tours, lectures, exhibitions, and booths where you will meet local artists and all kinds of personalities, as well as many like-minded people. The festival is great for artists, educators, families, youth groups, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and basically anyone interested in exploring clay art, its many forms, and learning about its history.

Silver City CLAY Festival

Address: 201 N Hudson St, Silver City, NM 88061, United States

Website: Silver City CLAY Festival

Takes Place: July

Festivals that will make your visit more memorable

New Mexico is a place rich in culture and tradition, featuring great places to visit and things to do. They are the host of many big events that are not only popular locally but also oversees. They have all kinds of events suitable for everyone. If you are planning to visit New Mexico in the near future, it may be a good idea to visit one or a couple of their festivals, as these events are what really make a place stand out. Plus, think of all the things you’ll learn and the new friends and acquaintances you’ll be making.