In honor of the trending #GOMO (Going Out More Often) and to help defend against #FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), it’s mid-September and Zozobra and Fiestas are over, and you might think that the summer is winding down and fall is the time when you curl up and anticipate shorter days and colder weather. But, think twice, because New Mexico is still getting busy with fun traditions and annual events, so don’t hibernate just yet. The aroma of roasting chiles fills the air, the leaves are turning into gold, and the weather is gorgeously crisp in the mornings and warm throughout the day. It’s the time when the sky is that particularly deep New Mexico blue. There’s so much to do during fall that it’s become the most popular time of year to visit.
Santa Fe Plaza’s Fall Colors.
These are some of the most popular and fun annual events happening in and around Santa Fe in September and October.
September 17 & 18, and 24 & 25, 2016: The High Road Studio Arts Tour. Always the last two weekends in September, folks head out along the scenic High Road to Taos to see the foliage in its autumn glory, and discover wonderfully creative art at over 40 private artist studios and galleries en-route through quaint historic villages. See this link for maps and more info.
Painting by High Road Artist: J. Chris Morel.
September 17 & 18 and October 1 & 2, 2016: The Santa Fe Artists Market adds the Cathedral Park at St. Francis Basilica, just one block from the Santa Fe Plaza, as a second popular location to its ongoing market that runs May through December. It’s usual Saturday market will also be at the Railyard. Explore beautifully creative artworks by as many as 100 local, juried artisans.
September 17 & 18, 2016: The Renaissance Fair at El Rancho De Las Golondrinas. Two days of fun events take you back in time to celebrate the history and culture of the area.
Renaissance Fair – Dressing the part of Royal Attendees.
September 21 – 25, 2016: For more than 26 years, The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta has attracted foodies from all over the globe, and those of us who just LOVE eating and drinking. Enjoy a five-day culinary adventure of events, featuring as many as 75 local top restaurants paired with up to 90 national wineries.
September 23 – 25, 2016: The Santa Fe Concorso has grown quickly in just a few years to become a national treasure of an event. It is now the Southwest’s premier gathering of more than 100 rare and exotic cars and motorcycles. This three-day celebration of mechanical motion includes many stars in the field of vehicles, and world-renowned celebrities of the racing world, and culminates with the finale Concorso on September 25th.
Concorso Prize Winners podium.
October 1 & 2, 2016: The Annual Harvest Festival at Rancho De Las Golondrinas. Gather round the historic living museum of Las Golondrinas to enjoy the rewards of harvest. Events, tours, hay rides, grape treading, wool-dyeing, food tastings and lots of fun for the family.
October 1 – 9, 2016: The Annual International Balloon Fiesta – Albuquerque. UP UP and AWAY… Join thousands of balloon admirers for early morning Mass Ascensions, and evening Balloon Glows and so much more at the World’s Premier Balloon Event, just 1 hour’s drive from Santa Fe. For the October 1, 2, 8 & 9th Mass Morning Ascensions, transportation is available from your Santa Fe location, provided by New Mexico Wine & Scenic Tours. It’s a welcome service for the early morning schedule. For $60 per person roundtrip, you’ll be picked up at your Santa Fe location, at approximately 4am, taken to the event, and by approximately 11am, returned to your point of origin. It’s a great deal and saves you the sleepy-eyed drive in the dark. Click here to book your transport. Admission to the Fiesta is $10pp.
October 19-23, 2016: The Santa Fe Independent Film Festival began in 2009 as a fringe festival that took place in a community center. By 2011 it was the biggest event of its kind in New Mexico, screening over 100 films during a 5 day Fest.
And this is just the beginning. GOMO Santa Fe! Get Out More Often and enjoy the good stuff in the world. There’s so much of it here in New Mexico, year-round!
For discounted lodging, restaurants, maps and more info, go to SantaFeSelection.com Travel Guide & Concierge.
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Happy Autumn!