Santa Fe Festivals & Events: A Year-Round Celebration of Culture

Looking for events and festivals in Santa Fe, New Mexico? As the first UNESCO Creative City in The United States, it’s no wonder that Santa Fe has a large arts, food, and culture scene. Santa Fe thrives on its rich cultural history dating back to the early 1600s when it was first incorporated as a Spanish settlement and later the country’s first capital city. There is no right or wrong time to visit and explore Santa Fe but planning your trip during a festival or event will not disappoint!

1. Santa Fe Opera

Founded in 1956, the Santa Fe Opera has conducted over 2,000 performances including 18 world premiers. The acoustics are unparalleled and have been deemed by The New Yorker as a “miracle in the desert”. Throughout its success the opera has continually brought new performers and artists to the area as well as multiple community engagement programs to make opera accessible to all the New Mexico population including 19 pueblos and 3 reservations. Be sure to check out their website to see what’s on stage and purchase your ticket.

Fun fact: New Mexico River Adventures takes the stage crew and production team out rafting near Santa Fe every summer!

2. Indian Market

One of our favorite Santa Fe events! Yearly in August Santa Fe hosts the largest juried Native American art show in the world right on The Plaza. This market sponsors over 1,000 Native artists from over a hundred Native communities throughout America and Canada to serve as a forum connecting cultural exchange through the artists’ works. Numerous events are held during the market including art gallery exhibitions, a Native fashion show, a film show as well as auctions and dancing performances.

3. The Burning of Zozobra

This unusual tradition was started in 1924 when Will Shuster first burned at 6-foot effigy to help his friend’s gloomy thoughts go up in flames. Now, almost 100 years later, this tradition is still going strong as Zozobra now towers at 50 feet tall. Zozobra means anguish, anxiety and gloom in Spanish and this character looks unlike anything you have seen before.

The burning always happens on the Friday before Labor Day in September so be sure to snag your ticket and submit your gloom (divorce papers, parking tickets etc.) to watch as they go up in flames during this exciting event.

4. Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta

If there’s one thing Santafesinos know how to do well its wine and chiles. Why not dive right into both at one of the top Santa Fe festivals of the year? New Mexico has the ideal environment to grow grapes and chiles with its sandy arid soil, warmer temperatures, cooler nights, and long growing season. What better way to showcase these delicious commodities than during this five-day event beginning at the end of September. With over 60 participating restaurants and 90 wineries you are sure to find a meal and bottle you love.

When you’re in town for this event be sure to consider New Mexico’s Premier Whitewater and Wine Tasting full-day trip. We will pick you up at your hotel or home, spend the morning whitewater rafting the Rio Grande, and then experience private tastings at local Northern New Mexico wineries with a gourmet lunch pairing.

5. Santa Fe Traditional Spanish Market

The Traditional Spanish Market floods the Santa Fe Plaza showcasing all things New Mexico every July. In addition to over 200 artists’ booths, there will be dancing, live music, food vendors, and more. This juried market ensures that the artists are rooted in the deep traditions of New Mexico and Colorado’s traditions. Admission is always free so make sure to mark your calendar to attend the oldest and largest Spanish Market in our country.

Santa Fe Events & Things To Do

New Mexico River Adventures headquarters is located a short one-hour drive north of Santa Fe and offers the perfect escape from the city after attending a festival or event! Of course, there are many more yearly and monthly events in Santa Fe so be sure to ask one of our knowledgeable guides what’s going on in the area!

Check out our specialty trips page for all of our upcoming Rio Chama whitewater rafting events. From Music, education, kids camps, and gourmet wine & food trips to sponsored brewery trips, we have multiple specialty river trips departing throughout each summer. Check them out!

To learn more about our favorite Santa Fe festivals, events, or our favorite places, please visit our Santa Fe whitewater rafting page. We feature all of our latest and greatest content to help you plan an unforgettable trip.