As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. Winter is upon us and holiday festivities are right around the corner. Come celebrate a season like no other in a place like no other: New Mexico, your Land of Enchantment.
Michael Cerletti
Move over fall, winter is here. New Mexico’s ski season is cranking up, and excitement is in the air.
High altitudes, coupled with New Mexico’s light, fluffy snow and brilliant sunshine, create some of the finest ski conditions in the West. There is no reason to spend an extra five or six long hours in the car heading further north to stand in long lift lines when you could already be skiing New Mexico’s incredible ski slopes.
Make your reservations now. Come ski and ride the Winter Sun.
Holiday traditions sparkle at New Mexico State Parks as farolitos light up walkways, beaches and riverfronts in parks from Raton to Deming. Hot cocoa, caroling, holiday bells and luminaria await visitors seeking a festive return to old-fashioned customs or modern-day star gazing.
Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Carlsbad celebrates Holidays with the Animals, 1- 3 p.m., December 12, when children make holiday cards and treats for their favorite Living Desert animals. The event is free, but regular admission fees apply or each visitor may donate a new book, toy, or nonperishable food item to be distributed to local charities. Call 575-887-5516 for details.
The Gustave Baumann marionettes have entertained generations of Santa Feans every Christmas since 1935 and they will do so again this year on Sunday (December 20, 2009), 1 to 4 p.m., in the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe.
Originally intended to amuse their daughter Anne in their home, Baumann's marionettes quickly became well-known in the Santa Fe community and performances were soon offered annually.
The puppets used today are exact replicas of the originals on view in the Museum's second floor gallery exhibition, "Pulling String: The Marionettes and Art of Gustave Baumann."
One of the most highly respected festivals in the wine industry, the annual Taos Winter Wine Festival is January 20-25, 2010.
The Festival has evolved into one of the premier wine events in the in the region. Drawing more than 3,000 wine enthusiasts, the festival is filled with spectacular wine and food events throughout Taos Ski Valley and the Town of Taos, where restaurants host wine dinners and chefs pair dishes that compliment the wines they are featuring. Daily seminars give the participants an opportunity to meet and interact with the winemakers and vineyard owners on a personal basis.
"Skier, wine connoisseur or gourmet, the Taos Winter Wine Festival has something for everyone," said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. "Perhaps best of all, during the day you can ski Taos, where the conditions are nearly perfect."
Carlsbad Caverns National Park will celebrate the holiday season by offering special tours in addition to the regular schedule.
The most popular of these is the Rock of Ages Tour on Saturday (December 19) and Sunday (December 27), 5 to 6:30 p.m. Limited to 60 people. Fees are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 4-15. Children under age 4 are not allowed. Park Rangers will lead the group by lantern light through the Big Room and provide a black out experience reminiscent of the Rock of Ages Ceremony as it was conducted on guided tours during the 1930s and 40s. Also, the tour will be visited by historical characters from Carlsbad Cavern’s past.
Celebrate the beauty of Taos and ring in the holiday season with the annual Lighting of Ledoux Street off Taos Plaza on Saturday (December 12), 5-7:30 p.m.
Visit the shops, galleries, salons and museums located along one of Taos’ most picturesque streets as they throw open their doors to music, food and fun. Experience a centuries-old tradition with farolitos lining the street and luminarias burning in courtyards. This free event is sponsored in part by the Town of Taos and the members of the Ledoux Street Association.
There are holiday events that occur at all of our state monuments.
Monument grounds are lit with hundreds of flickering farolitos and thousands of Christmas lights. Activities start at 5:30 p.m. with Santa's Workshop, where children, assisted by a few kindly elves, make ornaments. Following are music, traditional Pueblo dancing, and Native American storytelling. Enjoy biscochitos and hot apple cider around a bonfire. Free. 505-867-5351
San José de los Jémez Mission Church and Giusewa Village shine with hundreds of traditional farolitos. Festivities include traditional Native American flute music, a Jemez Pueblo dance performance, free cookies and cider, and a visit by Santa Claus. Free. 800-426-7850
Be a part of the annual candlelight procession of Las Posadas as it moves around the Santa Fe Plaza and into the Palace courtyard. Stay for caroling, cookies, and refreshments. Free. 505-476-5100
Click for a complete list of events at the state monuments...
Canyon Road Christmas Eve Walk (Santa Fe) - Walk up Santa Fe's Canyon Road, stopping off at bonfires to catch a bit of warmth and perhaps sing a few carols. Businesses and friends along the way offer hot cider, hot chocolate and posole (a traditional Christmas stew).
Christmas in Madrid (Madrid) - Christmas in Madrid started in the 1920s, when Madrid was a mining town run by Oscar Huber. The whole town would decorate homes and businesses with more than 100,000 lights and create a winter wonderland filled with decorations and blinking lights at the ballpark. That tradition continues today with lights and a Christmas Parade.
Las Posadas (statewide) - Under the glow of colored lights strung in trees on the Santa Fe Plaza, several hundred spectators cradled candles Sunday as they watched an annual re-enactment of a story on which the Christian faith is founded.
Las Cruces is perfect for your next getaway. Enter the "Escape to the Crossroads Getaway" and be our guest.
This package includes a two night stay at Meson de Mesilla, New Mexico’s finest boutique hotel; dining at Meson de Mesilla, La Posta de Mesilla, and the Texas Roadhouse; and lunch at the Sunset Grill at Sonoma Ranch.
Activities include two treatments at the Fountain of Youth Day Spa; two rounds of golf with cart at the Sonoma Ranch Golf Course; two rounds of golf with cart at the New Mexico State University Golf Course; admission for two to the Rio Grande Theater; a walking tour of Old Mesilla with La Morena Walking Tours; complimentary day passes at White Sands National Monument; and one new sled and wax at the White Sands Trading Company.
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December 2009 Events
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Train Rides, Chama – cumbrestoltec.com
Christmas in Madrid, 12/6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 – visitmadridnm.com
12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day, Pojoaque Pueblo – indianpueblo.org
Riverglow, Farmington – 800-448-1240
Floating Lights Parade, Elephant Butte – elephantchamberofcommerce.com
Navajo Nativity, Farmington – 800-448-1240
20 New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque – newmexicobowl.com
Farolito/Luminaria Tours, Santa Fe & Albuquerque – newmexico.org
Lighting of Luminaria, Carrizozo – townofcarrizzo.org
Christmas Carols & Luminarias, Old Mesilla – 575-524-3262
24-28 Dances at various pueblos – indianpueblo.org
28-29 Santa Fe Spanish Market – www.spanishcolonial.org
31 New Year’s Eve Dances at various pueblos – indianpueblo.org
Torchlight Parades at various ski areas – skinewmexico.com