You may want to plan a trip to Santa Fe for the holidays. The city's charm and tradition is vibrant during the holiday season with evergreens and lights draped throughout the city, adobe buildings frosted with snow, mountains gleaming white and the smell of local piñon wood filling the air. Santa Fe’s annual events and traditions, ranging from Farolitos lining the Plaza and a candlelight procession on Christmas Eve to a traditional Spanish outdoor play and Native American ceremonial dances, create a festive mood in the air throughout Santa Fe.
Below is a sampling of holiday celebrations taking place throughout Santa Fe in the coming months:
Winter Spanish Market
Taking place December 3-4, the Winter Spanish Market showcases traditional Spanish colonial arts and has expanded this year by adding several new events. Luncheon with the Artists on Wednesday, November 30 is an opportunity to enjoy lunch with a Spanish Market artist and learn more about them and their work; tickets are available for $60. The market will open at the Santa Fe Convention Center for the first time on Friday night, December 2, from 6:00 to 9:00 with the WinterNite party, featuring food and music along with the artists selling their work. The market runs for two full days December 3 and 4 and features pieces by 100 Hispanic artists. Other highlights of the weekend include a Holiday Home Tour and a Traditional Christmas Tea at the Hotel Saint Francis. For more information, visit www.spanishcolonial.org.
Christmas at the Palace
On December 9, Santa Fe celebrates New Mexico’s Hispanic, Native American and Anglo traditions in the stately building that is the oldest seat of government in the United States, the Palace of the Governors. This is a free event with hot cider, music, entertainment and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For more information, visit www.nmhistorymuseum.org.
Holiday Music in Santa Fe
The holiday season in Santa Fe is full of local concerts, including New Mexico Pro Coro, Musica da Camera, Santa Fe Concert Association, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble and more. Check the calendar at www.santafe.org for times and locations.
Las Posadas
The traditional Spanish play, taking place on December 11, depicts the search by Mary and Joseph for a room on Christmas Eve. The play is held outdoors and begins with a candlelight procession at the Palace of the Governors. All guests are invited to participate and follow the journey around the Plaza area. For more information, visit www.nmhistorymuseum.org.
Feast of Guadalupe at Pojoaque Pueblo
The Feast of Guadalupe at Pojoaque Pueblo, taking place December 12, honors the patroness of the Americas and of Pojoaque Pueblo and includes ceremonial dances. For more information, call 505-455-3549.
Farolitos
On Christmas Eve there are farolitos, candles in paper bags, everywhere. These humble materials are transformed into thousands of glowing amber lights that line streets, sidewalks, steps, roofs and even hang from trees. There are more than 1,000 of them outlining the Plaza at sunset and they can also be found at the Cross of the Martyrs and in downtown neighborhoods. Some call farolitos, luminarias which, in Santa Fe, are small bonfires that provide a warm respite on a cold evening walk. For more information, visit www.santafe.org.
Noche Buena
Midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi commemorates a folk story about the animals in the manger on the night of Christ’s birth. They were dismayed, so the story goes, that no humans had come to see the child, so an old rooster flew to a high place and announced the birth of the Messiah for all to hear. For more information, visit www.santafe.org.
Native American Dances
Many ceremonial dances are held at the Native American pueblos near Santa Fe during the holiday season that are both a renewal of culture and a religious expression. Featuring elaborate traditional garments, the winter dances often honor animals, such as the deer dance at Taos Pueblo. Dances generally take place around Christmas and New Year’s and usually happen on set days, but not at set times. Be prepared to wait patiently. It is important to remember that dances are religious in nature and to behave respectfully. Checking ahead is advised. For more information, visit www.indianpueblo.org.
Santa Fe Winter Fiesta
Celebrate everything Santa Fe has to offer during the winter with 10 days of special activities, January 27- February 5, 2012, during the second annual Santa Fe Winter Fiesta. Daily events, nightly parties, and saving specials are all planned in town while alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing will be featured in the nearby Rockies. For more information, visit www.santafe.org
Information courtesy: Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau
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