The sparkle of freshly fallen snow, the glow of farolitos and the fragrance of biscochitos baking and piñon logs burning are welcome signs that the holiday season is here in Santa Fe County. For centuries, farolitos (paper lanterns) have lit the rooftops of adobe homes and lined the streets and driveways, while bisochitos have long reigned as the holiday cookie in northern New Mexico. It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without a stroll on historic Canyon Road, singing carols along the way. On New Year’s Eve, the Santa Fe Plaza is the place to be, welcoming the new year as the Zia symbol rises into the midnight sky. These cherished traditions, and many others, are unique to our region. Each year, they bring us all together to celebrate the magic and enchantment of the season. We hope you’ll join us!
Day-Trippin’on Route 66
Gear up for an adventurous Route 66 road trip through Santa Fe County in 2026, the year of the fabled highway’s Centennial Celebration. The original 1926 alignment, called the Santa Fe Loop, leads to the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Soak up vibes from the Route 66 heyday with a burger and old-fashioned milk shake at the Plaza Café’s soda fountain. Browse Route 66 souvenirs in the Five & Dime General Store. Take the Santa Fe Loop down Cerrillos Road, where the retro 1936 El Rey Court and The Mystic Santa Fe, housed in a former 1950s motel, are hip spots, having been renovated with 21st-century amenities. At the eastern end of the Santa Fe Loop, Route 66 runs past the treasured Pecos National Historical Park, with ancient ruins from one of the Southwest’s largest pueblos and remnants of an 18th-century Spanish mission church. Look for the park’s wagon wheel ruts that date to the 19th-century Santa Fe Trail, which Route 66 parallels along the Santa Fe Loop.
For a unique experience on the Mother Road, stay at the Bobcat Inn, located on the original alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe County. The bed and breakfast-style inn offers authentic vibes to travelers tracing the fabled highway with its Route 66-themed room. Accented with the highway’s iconic emblems, maps and more, the themed room reminds guests that the original Mother Road runs just outside their door. Set on 10 peaceful acres on the eastern outskirts of Santa Fe, The Bobcat Inn welcomes weary motorists with scenic trails to hike and inviting outdoor spaces for admiring the views. Other themed rooms include the Santa Fe, Fiesta, Eldorado, and Turquoise Trail Rooms. After one of the inn’s hearty breakfasts such as blue corn pancakes or a breakfast casserole, you’ll be ready to hit the road.
Get your kicks on Route 66 in 2026, and celebrate the historic highway’s history, heritage and vibrant roadside culture. Download the Visit Widget app from the mobile version of our website to get itineraries and events, and to map out your entire trip.
Festive Foods
In northern New Mexico, gathering around the table with family and friends for traditional holiday meals has long been one of the season’s best-loved traditions. A typical feast includes tamales—corn husks often filled with pork and red chile and tied into neat bundles, like little gifts, to be steamed. Posole and green chile stew are also holiday staples, and biscochitos are a holiday classic. The official state cookie of New Mexico, biscochitos are flavored with anise and dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Savor some of our beloved holiday dishes at Gabriel’s of Santa Fe, a popular restaurant serving classic and modern Mexican and Southwestern cuisine in a festive ambiance. The menu includes tamales filled with corn and poblano chile and topped with red or green chile. Of course, ordering “Christmas,” a combo of red and green chile, is the apt choice of topping for the holidays. Gabriel’s also serves a hearty green chile stew with pork and potatoes, pork posole, and carne adovada. The flan makes a perfect dessert for the season, a rich and creamy baked custard that’s topped with a layer of soft caramel.
“The Road of the Canyon”
Lined with nearly 100 fine art galleries, the celebrated Canyon Road is the original heart of the art scene in Santa Fe, which is one of the largest art markets in the country. In the early 1900s, when the Santa Fe art colony formed, artists from around the world were charmed by the old adobe homes and farms. They built houses and studios in the neighborhood and by the 1940s, Canyon Road was bustling with artists working in old barns, sheds and houses. Today, art of every kind fills Canyon Road galleries, alleys, gardens, and courtyards.
On Christmas Eve, after dusk, thousands of revelers from near and far walk along Canyon Road to admire the magical glow of farolitos, warm up by luminarias (small bonfires), sing carols and rejoice in holiday cheer. The annual Christmas Eve Farolito Walk on Canyon Road has been one of our holiday delights for decades.
Ski & Spa
Head down any one of Ski Santa Fe’s powdery trails from the 12,075-foot summit, beneath endless turquoise skies, and you’ll see why this family-friendly ski area is one of the top ski destinations in the Southwest. From its gorgeous glade runs to magnificent mogul courses and breathtaking mountain views, this ski area delights everyone—skier and snowboarder, novice to expert. With 225 inches of average annual snowfall and 87 runs, along with a top notch ski school that includes lessons for little ones, Ski Santa Fe is a hot spot for winter fun. It typically operates from Thanksgiving Day through late March/early April.
After a day on the slopes, what could be better than a relaxing and rejuvenating session in a world-class spa? On the road back to town from Ski Santa Fe, stop at the Japanese-inspired Ten Thousand Waves for a serene hot tub soak beneath the pines and a signature Japanese shiatsu massage to relieve tired muscles. At the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, unwind with a blissful full-body massage that includes a grounding foot scrub and a nourishing warm oil head rub. At the tranquil Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, soak in hot spring-fed pools then enjoy renewed energy from a hot stone massage.
Events of the Season
Sugar Skulls and Marigolds
Strolling mariachi musicians, colorful masks, decorative skulls, community ofrendas (altars) and hundreds of marigold strands are all part of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a festive celebration of loved ones who have passed on. This family-friendly two-day celebration blends ancient tradition with contemporary flair and includes glow-in-the-dark face painting booths so celebrants can shine in the evening candlelight parade. Food trucks serve Mexican cuisine and an array of bands take the Plaza Bandstand stage to dance away the sorrows of loss.
Friday, October 31, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, November 1, noon to 10 p.m. on the Santa Fe Plaza
The Holiday Express
Christmas comes to life on a magical adventure-themed ride on Sky Railway. The train departs from and returns to the Lamy Depot, where Santa’s elves have created a winter wonderland. Sip hot cocoa and listen to Mrs. Claus as she tells the story of how Christmas in New Mexico was saved by Santa and Pablito Dragon. Santa himself greets passengers at the journey’s end.
Starts Friday, November 28 and runs through Wednesday, December 24; view calendar for full schedule and times.
Winter SWAIA Indian Market
Meet renowned Indigenous artists of traditional and contemporary jewelry, pottery, textiles and other one-of-kind pieces at the 20th Annual Winter SWAIA Indian Market. Learn about the story behind each piece and how it was made as you get to know the artists. Find gifts for everyone one your list, as well as a few for you.
Saturday November 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Winter Spanish Market
The Annual Winter Spanish Market is brimming with one-of-a-kind pieces, from carved wooden saints (santos) to colcha embroidery, pottery, tinwork, and many other traditional art forms. The artists work with Spanish Colonial traditions and are happy to share their skills and stories with you.
Saturday, December 6, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, December 7, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Trees of Joy
Embrace the joyous spirit of the season during the 12th Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Once the tree is unveiled, it’s time for holiday cookies, spiced hot chocolate and apple cider.
Friday, December 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe invites guests to its holiday market on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring a pop-up Sip & Shop event where visitors can explore the signature Four Seasons retail collection for unique holiday gifts while enjoying festive drinks and treats.
As night falls, The Farolito Tree Lighting at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection – Santa Fe fills the air with the merry glow of farolitos. Enjoy live music, seasonal drinks and small bites inspired by local flavors.
Friday, December 12, 6 p.m.
Arrive early to shop for handcrafted gifts for family and friends at the Bishop Lodge’s Holiday Market. Each treasure is made by a local artisan.
Friday, December 12, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Route 66 Market
Get your kicks, and holiday gifts, at Tumbleroot Brewery’s First Sunday Route 66 Market. The popular brewery and distillery joins the Route 66 celebration with a monthly art market featuring pottery and jewelry made by local artists. Enjoy a seasonal craft cocktail while you’re there. For the month of November: the First Sunday Market will be held on a Saturday!
Saturday, November 1st, noon to 4 p.m.
(Be sure to drink responsibly and always have a designated driver.)
A New Year
Ring in 2026 in Santa Fe style, at the annual New Year’s Eve On The Plaza celebration. Stay warm with piñon bonfires and hot chocolate and enjoy biscochitos and live music as you get ready to welcome the new year. At midnight, a handcrafted Zia symbol rises up into a sky aglow with fireworks.
Holiday Biscochitos
This is a classic Christmas cookie that can be made year-round, as many New Mexicans do. The recipe is from The Maverick Cookbook: Iconic Recipes and Tales From New Mexico, by Lynn Cline.
1 cup lard, chilled
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon anise seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup brandy, whiskey or sweet wine
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
Preheat the oven to 375 ° F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream the lard and sugar together using an electric beater in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, anise and vanilla.
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl. Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture, add the brandy or other liquor and mix into a stiff dough.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. Using a fleur-de-lis or other shape of cookie cutter, cut out the cookies. You can also cut the dough into 2 to 3-inch circles.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and dip the top of each cookie into the mixture. Place on
the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
(Makes about 6 dozen)