Winter Season Celebrations Have Arrived

If you can’t get excited about the upcoming winter season and all it has to offer, then you are new to New Mexico. Listed below are few of the bigger events, but don’t let apparent gaps in the calendar stop you from making plans. Chances are there is an annual celebration in your little corner of New Mexico.

Call around or check www.newmexico.org/events.

Las Cruces Museum of Art Features Out-of-this-World Art through January 12, 2012
Drawn from works in the archives of the NASA and the National Air and Space Museum, NASA/ART 50 years of Exploration promises to be out of this world. Just like astronauts constantly probing into the unknown, some of the country’s leading artists, who have contributed to the NASA Art Program since it was established in 1958, offer their renditions of the inspiration they’ve gleaned from rocket launches, moon landings, and planetary landscapes and explosions in this Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition.
(575) 541-2137 or www.las-cruces.org/museums

Winter Spanish Market December 2-4
Hispanic artists will display their folksy artwork at the 23rd annual Winter Spanish Market at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center December 2-4, 2011. An outgrowth of the summer’s Traditional Spanish Market, Winter Market begins with WinterNite (tickets: $40, $25 for members of Spanish Colonial Arts Society) December 2 with music, food and artists on hand. The general Market (free entry) resumes in the Center 8 a.m.–5 p.m. December 3 with an offsite Christmas Holiday Home Tour; and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. December 4 in the Center with a Traditional Christmas Tea at the Hotel St. Francis (tickets $40 each for tour and tea, $75 for both).
(505) 982-2226 or www.spanishcolonial.org

Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in Farmington December 17
Jump into some warm clothes, grab your binoculars, and join fellow birder watchers at the Riverside Nature Center in Farmington for the 43rd annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, 8: 30 a.m.–4 p.m. December 17, 2011, Bird watchers can count while hiking up to five miles along the Animas River or count back at the Center at bird feeders. Past sightings include bald eagles, multiple species of hawks, waterfowl, and sparrows, as well as woodpeckers, chickadees and finches. The Center also offers binoculars and identification guides, and weekly bird-identification courses. The cost is a $5 donation to the National Audubon Society.
(505) 325-8619

A Classical Holiday Encore in Taos December 17-18
The Taos Chamber Music Group returns with a selection of music from the 18th and 19th centuries in the Arthur Bell Auditorium at the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos December 17-18, 2011. Show times are 7:30 p.m. December 17 and 4 p.m. December 18. Musicians include Mark Rush (violin), Elena Sopoci (violin/viola), Dana Winograd (cello), Patrick Neher (double bass), and Nancy Laupheimer (flute), performing Mozart’s Trio, Beethoven’s String Trio, Haydn’s Trio, Rossini’s Sonata a Quattro No. 3, and Devienne’s Flute Quartet. Tickets are $20 adults, $12 ages 15 and younger.
(575) 758-0150 or www.taoschambermusicgroup.org

Angel Fire Resort Torchlight Parades December 24 and 31
Because there will be no visible moon rising in the sky on Christmas Eve this year, the dark sky will from a perfect backdrop for the Christmas Eve torchlight parade and the New Year’s Eve torchlight parade and fireworks. Watch or participate in the parade as torches light the way for Santa and Mrs. Claus as fireworks on the mountainside slopes trumpet their grand entrance. Nighttime skiing and also follows the event on New Year’s Eve.
(800) 633-7463 or www.angelfireresort.com

Snowshoe into New Year at Valles Caldera December 31
Ring in the New Year with cross-country skiing an/or snowshoeing under the stars at the Fire and Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration, 6 p.m.–1 a.m., at the Valles Caldera National Preserve west of Los Alamos December 31, 2011. Along with complimentary hot beverages and a variety of other refreshments, participants will benefit from campfires at three locations, and enjoy a fireworks show (providing there is enough snow on the ground). The cost is $25 adult, $20 seniors, $15 youth (ages 6–15) and free for children ages 5 and younger.
(505) 661-3333 or www.vallescaldera.gov

Celebrate a Traditional New Mexico Christmas

New Mexico State Monuments Light the Way

The state's monuments tell a unique story about New Mexico's history and culture. In December three illuminate the season in their distinctive way celebrating the state's rich traditions.

CHRISTMAS AT KUAUA
Coronado State Monument, Bernalillo, NM
Sunday, December 4, 5–8:30 p.m.
So close to Albuquerque yet a place rooted in pre-history, holiday visitors will get into the spirit with an evening designed for family fun. Hundreds of flickering luminarias and thousands of Christmas lights cast their welcoming glow around the Coronado State Monument. Activities start at 5:30 p.m. with Santa’s Workshop: children, assisted by a few kindly elves, will have an opportunity to make their own Christmas tree ornament. At 6:30 p.m. the Friends of Coronado State Monument will sponsor a program of music, traditional Pueblo dancing, and Native American storytelling, with free refreshments. There is no better way to celebrate the season than a large bonfire to warm chilly hands (weather permitting), eat biscochitos, and drink hot apple cider. For more information the public may call 505-867-5351. Free Admission.

LIGHT AMONG THE RUINS: CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Jemez State Monument, Jemez Springs, NM
Saturday, December 10, 5–9 p.m.
With one of the most beautiful prehistoric and historic sites in the Southwest as a backdrop, the ruins of Giusewa Pueblo and San José de los Jémez Mission Church will be decorated with hundreds of traditional luminarias. The evening’s program will include traditional Native American flute music and Jémez Pueblo dancers’ performance between two illuminating bonfires, and free refreshments. The village of Jémez Springs Park holiday festivities are on the same evening with free horse-drawn wagon rides available to the Monument. For more information the public may call 575-829-3530. Free Admission.

LUMINARIA TOUR
Fort Selden State Monument, Radium Springs, NM
Saturday, December 10, 5–9 pm
History buffs will enjoy visiting with soldiers (living history re-enactors) who set up camp for this event. Warm cider will be served from their camp fires and at a chuck wagon other free refreshments may be had. Listen to stories about this long abandoned fort. More than camp fires light up the evening, enjoy the spectacle of one thousand luminarias. For more information the public may call 575-526-8911. Free Admission.

Holiday Festivals Light Up Sierra County

Sierra County celebrates the holidays, beginning Saturday (December 3) with “Christmas in the Foothills,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Hillsboro Community Center. The annual event is recognized this year as a New Mexico Centennial Event to kick off the one hundred year anniversary of the state in 2012. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the death of Nicholas Galles, an early resident and pioneer of Hillsboro, a proclamation from the NM State Senate will be read. Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels is scheduled to address visitors at 3:45 p.m. at the Hillsboro Community Center. In addition to a photo display about Galles, created by the Hillsboro Historical Society and a book signing/sale for the organization’s book, “Around Hillsboro,” highlights of Christmas in the Foothills will include an array of vendors selling specialty handcrafted gifts, Lawrence Tedrow’s Clydesdale horses and music. Hillsboro is located on State Road 152 approximately 17 miles west of I-25 at exit 63.

Downtown Truth or Consequences is holding its annual “Old Fashioned Christmas” on December 9, 6-9 p.m. The evening begins with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Evelyn Renfro Park, and includes performers, drawings, carolers and refreshments. Head east off I-25 at exit 75 from the south going through the gateway of Williamsburg right into downtown T or C or jump off exit 79 from the north.

The “Yuletide in Chloride” runs December 3-11. The historic living ghost town of only nine residents offers great holiday sales in the wonderful Monte Cristo Gift Shop & Gallery. This scenic old West mining town offers seclusion and a perfect get away excursion for the entire family. Just head west on State Road 52 and Chloride is only two miles southwest of Winston on Forest Road 226.

Other season events in the area include:

The Downtown Truth or Consequences Historic District monthly Art Hop the second Saturday of each month from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
“Festival of Lights” at Elephant Butte, a dazzling display that includes four thousand luminaries lining Lions Beach at Elephant Butte Lake State Park.
“Floating Lights Parade,” a “Make a Wish Foundation” benefit sponsored by the Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce, December 10, beginning at 5 p.m. The event features motorboats and sailboats creatively lit and decorated floating across the lake, fireworks, an RV Lighting, hayrides, bonfires, food and drink, and a community awards party at Elephant Butte Inn. No park entry fees are required.

For more information write director@sierracountynewmexico.info

17th Annual Weekend of Lights Festival
Luminaria Beach Walk &
Floating Lights Parade
December 10, 2011

Residential & Commercial Holiday Lighting Contest
& Luminaria Walk
Chamber event benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. Thousands of twinkly Christmas lights and luminarias, campfires, an abundance of free delicious food and beverages, live music, hayrides, Santa and a stunning lighted boat parade.
Sponsored by Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce.
For more information Contact Chamber Office at 575-744-4708
E-mail: info@elephantbuttechamberofcommerce.com

6:30 pm - Boat Holiday Lighting Contest & Floating Lights Parade: Boats & Sailboats decorated with Santa Claus, Frosty & Rudolph & Holiday lights at the Marina del Sur. Beautiful on the water parade with fireworks backdrop.
For more information contact Nadine Crom:
Phone: 575-744-5567
email: nadine@lagorico.com

5:00 pm - 1000's of luminaria's light the way to 25 bonfired, community sponsored campsites on the beach with posole, cocoa, s'mores & more!
6:30 pm - 6:30pm - RV Lighting Contest.
6:30pm - Floating Lights parade
9:00 pm - Community Awards Party at Elephant Butte Inn