Community events scheduled across Albuquerque and New Mexico for New Year’s
Dozens of holiday festivals, light displays and public celebrations will take place across New Mexico from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Communities statewide have arranged family gatherings, outdoor hikes and countdown parties to ring in the start of 2026.
Albuquerque Celebrations and Festivals
Winter Wonderland NM runs from Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 at EXPO NM. The event features a drive-thru section, walking tours of Villa Hispana and Indian Village, live actors and interactive lights. More details appear at winterwonderlandnm.com/events.
The River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden runs Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 from 5 to 10 p.m. General admission tickets cost $21, and youth tickets cost $12. A low-sensory night follows on Jan. 2.
Sawmill Market hosts its daily holiday experience from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31. On Dec. 27, North Texas plays San Diego State in the 20th annual Isleta New Mexico Bowl. The football matchup starts at 3:45 p.m. inside University Stadium.
Albuquerque facilities host multiple early gatherings on Dec. 31. Denise Gard hosts story time with two dogs during a free balloon museum event from 10 a.m. to noon. Sawmill Market offers music from DJ Kevin Kennedy from 4 to 7 p.m.
Explora holds its Noon Year’s Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with 2,026 balloons dropped at noon. Admission is $11 for non-member adults, $7 for children, and $8 for seniors and students. The Albuquerque Museum offers games and dance music by DJ Binks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Late festivities on Dec. 31 include the Nob Hill Chile Drop at the Hotel Zazz from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Albuquerque New Year’s Eve 2026 Bar Crawl begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
Statewide Gatherings and Outdoor Activities
The Santa Fe Botanical Garden presents La Luz de las Noches from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31. General adult tickets cost $29.95, while youth tickets cost $9.95. Red River Ski & Summer Area will host a free torchlight parade and fireworks at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Taos Ski Valley offers a free torchlight parade at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, followed by the Annual Snow Ball. The Santa Fe Depot runs a two-hour party train into the desert that returns at 9:45 p.m. The Raton Regional Aquatic Center partners with Colfax County DWI for a $5 swim party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Los Alamos hosts an ice rink skate party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Downtown Las Cruces will drop a giant glowing chile pepper during a free celebration starting at 6 p.m. Guests guess whether the chile is red or green.
New Mexico State Parks organizes free guided hikes across multiple parks on Jan. 1. Pedestrians can walk Elephant Butte Dam in Truth or Consequences from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lake Maloya at Sugarite Canyon State Park in Raton holds a polar plunge from 1 to 3 p.m. for $20.
New Mexico State Parks manages protected outdoor land and recreation areas across the state. Public agencies often organize seasonal events to bring local residents together safely during major holiday periods.
Tickets and entry instructions for these events remain accessible through individual host organization websites.
