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There’s no place in the universe that has a more beloved, and specific, local cuisine than New Mexico. In a land where the official question is “Red or green?” it’s easy to see New Mexicans take their chile seriously.
While you can enjoy delicious chile-smothered cuisine year-round, join in on the fun and celebrate our state’s favorite (and most famous) crop during these annual chile-focused events.
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is an annual five-day event that showcases the culinary artistry found in Santa Fe. Ninety national wineries come to Santa Fe to partner with 75 of Santa Fe’s top restaurants to create a five-day schedule of food and wine events including cooking demos, wine seminars, winery luncheons, and dinners.
Plenty of food, tunes, and fun is lined up and ready to go at Larry Joe Taylor’s annual “Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights.” This three-day event combines live music from Larry Joe Taylor & Friends with multiple cook-offs including the CASI “Red River” cook-off, the New Mexico State Green Chile Championship, and the Lone Star BBQ Society cook-off.
As summer cools down, the Village of Hatch heats up! Every Labor Day weekend, visitors from all over the U.S. head to Hatch for the annual Hatch Chile Festival—a celebration of their world-famous crop. Festivalgoers can enjoy chile samples, artisan wares, parades, food, carnivals, music, and more.
If you like a little warmth on your palate, head to the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show—the hottest show on Earth! Meet and greet with vendors and other fiery-food fanatics from around the world while enjoying delicious food samples, demonstrations, books, clothing, and anything related to chile at this hot annual show.
Green chile cheeseburgers can be found all across New Mexico, but Edible New Mexico’s Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown is determined to find the state’s BEST burger! Burger fanatics can taste and vote from a curated bracket of independently owned restaurants across the state and vote on their favorites. So if you think you’re up to the task of helping crown the best burger in New Mexico, this annual event is for you!
Planning an unforgettable experience in New Mexico is easy with a free New Mexico True Adventure Guide. View the guide online, or request to have one sent to you.
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