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Las Crucens love a party. We celebrate year-round. Las Cruces has very unique events. We celebrate the Frontier Days at Fort Selden, and our Mexican heritage on Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) and Diez y Seis de Septiembre (16th of September). The Hatch Chile Festival honors the Mesilla Valley as the chile capital of the world. The party continues with the nationally famous Whole Enchilada Fiesta with the making world's largest enchilada. There are wine festivals, corn mazes, and even spaceflights at the X-Prize contest. We end the year with the singing of Christmas Carols and the lighting of Luminarias that set the historic old Mesilla Plaza aglow.
BELOW IS OUR CALENDAR OF ANNUAL EXCITING EVENTS, FESTIVALS, AND FIESTAS
| I am sure you know that, like any city, it is impossible to list all of many sporting activities, many types entertainment events, or things to do going on currently. I recommend that you check the "THE PULSE" which is published every Thursday by the Las Cruces Sun News. It is available on line at http://www.lcsun-news.com/pulse or in Thursday's Newspaper. You will find virtually all forms of entertainment activities currently going on around town - places to eat, things to see and do, this week's movie schedule, and so much more - check it out. |
ATTRACTIONS IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
CALENDAR OF SPECIAL EVENTS 2009
January
17-18 Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally 
Taking place each January, over 90 unique and colorful balloons fill the skies over the Mesilla Valley. Balloon contests highlight the early lauch and flights on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and there is a Balloon Glow, on Saturday evening. There are tethered balloon rides for the public.
575 526-7528 www.mvbr.com
February
1-28 For the Love of Art Month
Las Cruces celebrates the contributions of its large, and growing arts community with exhibitions and events held throughout the city, and
historic Old Mesilla. Events at local museums, galleries, and alternative art venues provide both Las Crucens and visitors the chance to observe the talents of our many fine local artists
575 523-6403 www.daarts.org
March
14-15 Cowboy Days
 Nothing says the old west like the cowboy. The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum honors the western legend with a weekend festival complete with roping and riding demonstrations, "cowboy food", dancing and cowboy poetry.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Rd
575 522-4100 www.frhm.org
April
5 - Trinity Site Tour
 The Trinity site is where, on Monday, July 16, 1945, at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time, the first atomic bomb on earth was tested. In a caravan of cars, you can visit the site with a military escort. The site is open to the public twice a year the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October. You will visit the ranch house where scientists assembled the plutonium core, you can take a quarter-mile walk to Ground Zero, where a small obelisk marks the spot where the bomb exploded.
575 678-1134 http://www.wsmr.army.mil/
18-20 - 14 th Annual Border Book Festival
This unique festival brings together authors from around the world. Live performances, food, fun and lots of reading at the Mesilla Community Center.
2251 Calle de Santiago, the Old Mesilla Plaza, south of Las Cruces on Highway 28
575 523-3988 www.borderbookfestival.org
19-20 - Annual Frontier Days at Fort Selden, NM
Take a trip back in time with a visit to Fort Selden State Monument. The fort,  built in 1865, and for a quarter of a century, protected Las Cruces area settlers from outlaws and Apache Indians. Among the groups honored are the historically important Buffalo Soldiers, who were some of the first black soldiers after the Civil War. Today the stark adobe brick walls of the frontier post evoke a feeling of connection to the past. A visitor center at the monument offers exhibits on frontier military life during the fort's heyday, and during frontier days there are living history demonstrations of 19th century military life.
1280 Ft Selden Rd in Radium Springs, NM
575 526-8911/800 429-9488 www.nmmonuments.org
26-27 La Vina Blues & Jazz Festival
 Grab a glass of wine and enjoy a weekend of good music and good wine hosted by the oldest winery in New Mexico; La Vina Winery.
4201 S Highway 28 in La Union, NM
575 882-7632 www.lavinawinery.com
May
May 3-4 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
 A traditional Mexican Fiesta. This commemorates the Mexican army, outnumbered 2 to 1 The Battle was significant for two reasons. First, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years. Second, because this would be the last time that an army
from another continent invaded the Americas. Experience traditional Mexican music, food and dancing on the historic Mesilla Plaza.
575 524-3262 www.oldmesilla.org
15 - Blessing of the Fields (Formerly La Fiesta De San Isidro)
A celebration of New Mexico's 3,000-year-old farming heritage, featuring farming demonstrations mariachi music, folklorico dancers, and a blessing of the fields, all capped off with an evening dance. Join in the fun at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.
575 522-4100 www.frhm.org
25/Music in the Park Series
Free outdoor concert at 7 PM in Apodaca Park. (subject to change)
24-25 Southern New Mexico Wine Festival
Visitors can sample wine from the many New Mexico wineries as well as enjoy live entertainment and local vendors. The festival is held at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds.
575 522-1232 www.snmwinefestival.com
June
1,8,15,22,29/Music in the Park Series
Free outdoor concerts are held in Apodaca Park. (subject to change)
July
Annual 4th of July Celebrations
July 3-4 - Annual 4th of July Electric Light Parade, Celebration and Firework
Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Las Cruces  celebrates with a parade of floats decorated with electric lights. Experience live entertainment throughout the day plus a spectacular fireworks display at night. All events are free and open to the public. (575) 528-3170, (575) 541-2200. www.las-cruces.org
13,20,27/Music in the Park Series
Free outdoor concerts are held in Klein Park. (subject to change)
August
3,10,17,24,31/Music in the Park Series
Free outdoor concerts held in Young Park. (subject to change)
August 30-31 - Hatch Chile Festival
 As summer cools down, the Village of Hatch heats up. Labor Day weekend heralds the annual Hatch Chile Festival, a two-day celebration of our world-famous crop. The festival attracts over 30,000 visitors from all over the United States, including such notables as the Food Network and the BBC. Festival goers can sample famed chile recipes, watch the crowning of the chile festival queen, or toss a horseshoe in celebration of our most famous crop. The event also features chile ristra contests, artisan and food booths, and a carnival. (575) 267-5050. http://www.hatchchilefest.com
August 30 - September 1 - New Mexico Wine Harvest Festival
Celebrate New Mexico's wine harvest with grape stomping, wine tasting, live entertainment  (including up and coming country music star Tim Murphy on Sunday). Festival features arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, hourly wine seminars and a great relaxed atmosphere. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west on I-10 exit 132. 12 noon - 6 pm each day $13 adults 21 and older, under 21 free but must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. $3 discount for active duty military on Monday. (575) 522-1232. http://www.wineharvestfestival.com
September
Mesilla Valley Maze
It's the most fun you can have in a corn field, Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to look for the perfect Jack-O-Lantern, then discover the many twists and turns amazingly cut into a corn field. Saturdays and Sundays in September and October on West Picacho Avenue.
575 526-1919 http://www.mesillavalleycornmaze.com
13-14 Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta
 Mexico Celebrates Its Independence on the 16th of September.
On the church steps in the town of Dolores Hidalgo,Father Hidalgo read the Gritto de Hidalgo (or "Call of Hidalgo") in 1810, and launched the Mexican War of Independence against Spain. The struggle against Spain centered around the rights of the Criollos (or "Creoles") who were born in the New World with Spanish ancestry, but not given the privilege of those born in Europe. Join the village of Mesilla in commemorating Mexico's independence. Be sure to catch folklorico dances, mariachi music, authentic Mexican cuisine and have a really good time. The fiesta in held on Mesilla Plaza.
575 524-3262 www.oldmesilla.org and Hispanic Festivals of the Southwest
20-21 White Sands Balloon Invitational
 A collection of colorful balloons fill the air over the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument, 45 miles east of Las Cruces.
575 430-7585/800 826-0294 www.nps.gov/whsa
26-28 The Whole Enchilada Fiesta
We have a chile festival and an apple festival, why not an enchilada fiesta! For 29 years this  3-day celebration of NM traditions, people and great food. Downtown Las Cruces hosts one big street party complete with food, dancing, a parade and the making of the official (Guinness Book of World Records) world's largest enchilada! The fiesta has been recognized as one of the top 100 events in the US and the 3rd largest in NM. The Whole Enchilada Parade is the largest in NM. It is a quality family experience with crafts, a carnival, and headliner entertainment all day and evening. (575) 526-1938. www.enchiladafiesta.com.
October
1-5 Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo
The Fair has something for everyone; food, music, livestock shows and a cowboy rodeo. Held at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. See the Website for information, calendar of events and entertainment schedules, find out about the rodeo, carnival, and the animals.
575 524-8602 www.snmstatefair.com
4- Trinity Site Tour
The Trinity Site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion on earth. The site is open to the public twice a year. (see April 5th for more details) Tours depart from the White Sands Missile Range.
575 678-1134 www.wsmr.army.mil
4-5 - 7th Annual Mesilla Jazz Happening
Mesilla Valley Jazz Happening will be swinging into historic Old Mesilla at the Mercado Plaza and on  the Historic Plaza. The Plazas will host free live jazz music at two venues. A special Wine Garden at each venue featuring eight New Mexico Wineries will provide wine tasting. Horse drawn wagons will offer free transportation between the Mercado and the historic plaza. Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 524-3524, (575) 524-3262, (575) 523-6700. mesilla_jazz_happening
18-19 La Vina Wine Festival
The oldest wine festival in New Mexico features food, entertainment and wine produced by New Mexico's oldest winery. Held at the La Vina Winery, 17 miles south of Las Cruces on Highway 28.
575 882-7632 www.lavinawinery.com
X Prize Cup
An event where everyone can come, experience space and be part of the next generation of  spaceflight. You can watch the next generation of space vehicles fly, talk to astronauts, see the vehicles up close, fly simulators, learn about the technology, the curriculum available at all levels of education, know about the careers available in the contemporary space industry and begin to dissolve the myth that you will never travel to space in your lifetime. Location TBA. (310) 587-3355. www.xprize.org
October 25-26 and November 2 - Dia de los Muertos
The Dia de los Muertos (November 1st, All Saints Day, and November 2nd, All Souls Day) ceremonies and customs connect the living to the dead, becoming a celebration of the past lives of relatives, friends and national heroes. It is a distinctively Mexican festival with roots in both prehistoric Indian ritual and the Roman Catholic church. Families gather at cemeteries to tend and decorate the graves of deceased relatives, leaving offerings . In expectation of visits by the spirits of the dead, they set up altars in their homes, and finally, they celebrate death, joyfully, with costume, music, dance and fireworks. Celebrate the Day of the Dead on the Plaza in Old Mesilla with lots of music and food. (575) 647-2639. See the Old Mesilla Website for the details about the holiday and the events taking place on the Plaza www.oldmesilla.org & Hispanic Festivals of the Southwest
November
1-2 Renaissance Arts Faire
Spend a weekend with Kings and Queens at the 36th Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire. Local,  state and regional artisans gather to participate in a juried art show and exhibition. Only the highest quality arts & crafts are for sale accompanied by live theater, dancing, music and food, all presented with a Renaissance theme. Young Park. (575) 523-6403. www.daarts.org
International Mariachi Conference & Concert
 A week-long educational conference culminating with one spectacular concert featuring internationally known mariachi performers. Parque Festival at Young Park features entertainment and cultural activities. New Mexico State University Pan American Center and Young Park. (575) 525-1735. www.lascrucesmariachi.org
December
Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Each December in Tortugas, there is a three-day fiesta celebrating Our Lady of  Guadalupe that has taken place in this area for more than a century. Mission Indians living in Tortugas, a village between La Mesilla and Las Cruces, began celebrating the feast day to pay homage and respect to our Blessed Mother, and to fulfill promises they have made to her throughout the year. The ceremonies in Tortugas begin on December 10 with danzantes from 6 p.m. until dawn. At dawn on December 11, the followers pilgrimage to Tortugas Mountain, where at noon they celebrate Mass then bonfires are lighted on the mountain and in the village of torgugas and the pilgrims descend the mountain in a gorgeous torchlight procession. On December 12, the official feast day, there is dancing all day. The public is welcome. For info: (575) 526-8171
24-Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza
The historic village of Old Mesilla is aglow with thousands of luminarias and caroling. Mesilla Plaza 575 524-326 www.oldmesilla.org
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