Most locals will tell you that fall is the best time to be in Santa Fe County. Warm sunlit days and cool starry nights provide the perfect backdrop to autumn adventures, from a road trip into the Old West to colorful art studio tours, and a day in the historic mining town of Cerrillos. Plug into paradise at a tranquil spa resort that offers unique activities and mouth-watering cuisine. Once you’ve experienced the magic of fall in Santa Fe County, you won’t want to leave.
Road Trippin’ to the Old West
Need a pair of cowboy boots with a styling hat to match? How about a saddle and some chaps? Then hightail it to the Fall Western Market at the historic Mortenson Movie Ranch, where you can shop ‛til the cows come home. Browse Western clothing, jewelry and other one-of-a-kind pieces sold by artisans from New Mexico and around the country. Enjoy carriage rides, chuckwagon cooking and live music. Meet Clyde the Buffalo, the ranch’s famous 2,000-pound American bison/movie star who’s appeared in Yellowstone and other productions. It all takes place on Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and is free to the public.
Colorful Studio Tours
Fall artist studio tours are a wonderful way to discover the rich and diverse art scene in Santa Fe County. From unique jewelry, pottery, wearable art, and paintings to a world of other media, artists take inspiration from the landscape and culture to express unlimited creativity.
The stunning scenery along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway showcases nature’s artwork, rivaling the beauty of the art showcased on the annual Turquoise Trail Studio Tour. View work by painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelers, ceramicists and a host of other artists from Santa Fe, Cerrillos, Madrid and Cedar Crest. The tour is held on two consecutive weekends.
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20; September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The historic village of Galisteo is home to world-renowned artists who open their studios for the annual Galisteo Studio Tour, held when cottonwoods on the Galisteo River turn a brilliant shade of gold. Fiber arts, painting, pottery and traditional New Mexico art are just a few of the works you’ll see as you explore this picturesque village.
Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 34th Annual Eldorado Studio Tour, New Mexico’s largest and longest-running studio tour, features the work of more than 100 artists. Meet painters, ceramicists, jewelers, and other masters of their craft in their creative spaces and purchase original works directly from them.
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Day in Cerrillos
The winding desert trails at Cerrillos Hills State Park lead through hills formed by volcano remnants 30 million years ago. Five miles of interpretive trails trace the area’s longtime mining history, including turquoise and lead mines established by ancient Native Americans and silver mines opened later by Spanish colonists. With stunning views of surrounding mountains, the park is a great place for hiking, mountain biking, birding and picnicking.
After exploring the park, head to nearby Black Bird Saloon for outrageously good burgers and other great grub. Housed in an Old West saloon that dates to the 1880s, the laid-back atmosphere features crooked doors and uneven wood floors. Then shop the Mercantile at Cerrillos Station for unique gifts. More than a dozen vendors offer antiques, art, pottery, Guatemalan clothing, vintage and new books and other items. At the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum in the Casa Grande Trading Post, the collection of artifacts, equipment, tools, and other objects reveal what life was like during the mineral mining eras of Cerrillos.
Spa Sanctuary
Sink into bliss at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, a tranquil oasis of spring-fed thermal pools surrounded by dramatic mountains and sweeping vistas. After a relaxing soak, enjoy a rejuvenating massage such as the Ojo Glow, which will cleanse and moisturize the face using artisan beauty products, herbal-soaked towels and desert botanicals. Take a stroll on the property’s peaceful walking trails and admire the golden leaves and other fall foliage on the property. Unwind with daily yoga sessions. When hunger hits, the resort’s Blue Heron Restaurant provides flavorful, seasonal cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Whether you dine overlooking the pond or at an outdoor waterside table (during warm-weather months), you’ll enjoy the view as much as the excellent food at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort’s Blue Heron Restaurant. Start with a hearty green chile stew or coconut curry soup, then try the quinoa-stuffed roasted chile poblano served with cashew queso; local bison short ribs; or Ojo fish tacos with mahi mahi or shrimp. Dishes often feature fresh ingredients from Ojo Caliente Farm, located up north by Ojo’s sister spa, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
For a little puppy love, visit the resort’s Puppy Patch and play with some sweet, furry friends. The foster puppies are provided by Española Humane and if you find they’re irresistible, they’re also adoptable. Spend time feeding and cuddling Silkie chickens, in the outdoor coop next door to the Puppy Patch. Spending time with these furry and feathered friends can boost your health, by lowering stress and raising your happiness level.
Exciting Fall Events
Fiery Flamenco
Acclaimed flamenco dancer La Emi of EmiArteFlamenco presents Amor, Quejío y Vuelo (Love, Lament, Flight), which traces a woman’s journey from heartbreak to ultimate self-discovery, through flamenco song, dance and guitar. The evening brings to vivid life the hauntingly beautiful art form of flamenco that originated in Spain more than 300 years ago.
Inn and Spa at Loretto
September 24 through October 4, 2026; Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sunday matinee
Get Your Kicks
Rev up your engines for the Route 66 Centennial at the Santa Fe Railyard. This celebration of the 100th anniversary of one of America’s most iconic highways features classic cars and motorcycles, live music and DJs, Native dancers, an Art Walk, cooking demos, Route 66 flicks at Sky Cinema and much more fun for the entire family.
Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Up, Up and Away
Some 500 colorful hot air balloons fill New Mexico’s beautiful bluebird skies during the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Thousands of balloon enthusiasts travel from around the world to Balloon Fiesta Park for the world’s most photographed event. Special shapes such as Darth Vader, Smokey the Bear and a family of bumblebees always wow the crowd, along with Dawn Patrols, Mass Ascensions, Evening Glows and other balloon fun.
Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 11, 2026
The round-trip ABQ Balloon Fiesta Shuttle takes fiesta-goers from Santa Fe to Balloon Fiesta Park and back again. For departure times and locations and to purchase tickets, click the link:
A Bountiful Harvest
Celebrate the harvest at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, an acclaimed living history museum that brings New Mexico’s Spanish Colonial and Territorial periods to life with costumed docents and historic buildings. Voted one of the best harvest festivals in the country by readers of USA Today, the museum’s annual Harvest Festival features a pumpkin patch, hay rides and exciting hands-on family fun such as tortilla making, ristra stringing, and creating corn husk art. Food and live music are also part of this beloved fall tradition.
Oktober Fun
The Santa Fe Brewing Company presents Oktoberfest in New Mexico style with the 6th Annual Oktoberfiesta. Festivities include costume contests, live music, local food trucks, and more than 60 artists and vendors. Kids can paint pumpkins and visit a petting zoo while adults can sample seasonal fall beer releases and the classic Oktoberfest Märzen lager.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
(Please drink responsibly and choose a designated driver.)
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Make your way to Santa Fe County for glorious fall adventures! We can’t wait to see you. For more information, visit SantaFeNMTrue.com and be sure to follow us on social media.