Far more Albuquerque events take place than we can possibly list on our website—fairs and festivals, concerts, Broadway shows, cultural dances and lectures. However, we can detail a few of the upcoming events in Albuquerque and especially in Old Town. Also listed below are some of the major events during the year in Albuquerque and Santa Fe; websites are provided when possible.

For more details on Albuquerque events, visit the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau or the City of Albuquerque.

Upcoming events

now thru October 21: Blue Winds Dancing: The Whitecloud Collection of Native American Art at the Albuquerque Museum: An exhibition of more than 300 objects from the Whitecloud Collection of Native American Art. The artifcts, collected over the past 40 years by Dr. Thomas St. Germain Whitecloud III and his wife Mercedes Bordelon Whitecloud, focuses mainly on textiles and baskets. The exhibit offers a diverse look at the arts of Native North Americans.

September 9-23: New Mexico State Fair Rodeo, livestock and agriculture exhibits, quilts and woodworking, concerts and amusement rides—everything you expect from a state fair! The New Mexico State Fair also boasts an African Pavilion, Villa Hispana and Indian Village that reflect our rich cultural diversity.

September 26: Full Moon Ghost Tour of Old Town (10 p.m.-midnight) (reservations required: 505-246-TOUR): Discover the darker side of Old Town by the light of the full moon! The popular Ghost Tour of Old Town held at a spooky late night time with bonus legends & lore surrounding the moon and superstitions. The Ghosts of wild saloons, roaring dance halls, illicit opium dens and private gambling tables (and the lynchings, hangings and gunfights which often accompanied the activity of these establishments) are detailed during our 90-minute Full Moon haunted adventures.

September 29: Rocky Mountain Barbershop Harmony Society Convention The art of barbershop singing is bigger than you'd think: the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America includes approximately 2000 quartets, 825 choruses and more than 32,000 members in the US & Canada. Rocky Mountain District Convention 2007 in Albuquerque!

October 21-28: 41st U.S.National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show Approximately 2,000 horses from the United States and Canada. The U.S. Nationals ranks as the most prestigious North American championship in the Arabian show horse industry. World-class shopping, elaborate barn parties, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to get up close to some of America’s most famous Arabian horses await you.

November 9-11: Weems International Artfest (spectacular!) Weems International Artfest, celebrating 25 years. The Annual Arts and Crafts Show has become New Mexico’s standard for TOP Arts and Crafts show in the country. The event showcases over 270 artisans from 20 states, as well as England and Wales.

November 15-18: Western Music Association International Festival Concerts & performer showcases, annual awards presentations, Western Swing dance, tribute to Gene Autry, vendor show, workshops & Cowboy Church.

November 24: Twinkle Light Parade A night parade showcasing over 100 entries all decked out in festive holiday lighting in Downtown Albuquerque. The Parade will end at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden where the after festivities will continue under the Big Top, in the west parking lot.

December 7: Old Town Holiday Stroll Live entertainment, dancers, family activities, Santa Claus on hand and the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Plaza Don Luis.

December 1-31: River of Lights Rio Grande Botanic Garden visitors can enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show. Each year's show unveils a number of ingenious new sculptures and stunning displays designed and constructed by Albuquerque BioPark artists and craftsmen.

December 24: Luminaria Tour in Old Town and around Albuquerque. The glowing brown sacks that adorn Albuquerque walkways, churches and homes each holiday season are called luminarias and date back more than 300 years. The New Mexican tradition began when the Spanish villages along the Rio Grande displayed the unique and easy to make Christmas lanterns, called luminarias to welcome the Christ child into the world.

Major events through the year

March