Save the Date

We’re not sure if it’s the heat slowly seeping out of the adobe or just the pressing throngs of tourists returning to the Plaza, but we’re itching to get out and do something. If you, too, are aiming to cure those summertime all-dressed-up-and-nowhere-to-go blues, read on for our guide to the season’s major events, festivals and more. (Don’t miss live music offerings highlighted HERE.)

JUNE

Currents New Media Festival

June 16-25

The solar-powered showcase of technological and artistic experimentation is your best option for keeping up with the latest creative uses of virtual reality, robotics, single channel video installation and more. This year’s festival takes place at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds.

Rodeo de Santa Fe

June 21-24

Speaking of the Fairgrounds, the 74th annual Rodeo de Santa Fe is set to highlight the best cowboys, cowgirls and cow-theys in the ropin’ business—no g’s on your gerunds allowed! Wonder how the cowpokes and new media folks will get along during the overlapping dates? Gates open at 5 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults; $10 for kids and seniors.

Santa Fe Pride

June 24

The 30th annual Pride on the Plaza celebration brings the glorious fashion, expert DJing (this time provided by Ultra Naté) and queer communal joy necessary to gather strength for another year of fighting to retain human rights. Festivities are free and run from 10 am to 4 pm.

Santa Fe Opera

June 30-Aug. 26

This year’s lineup of Tosca, The Flying Dutchman, Pelléas et Mélisande, Rusalka and Orfeo will have us clapping from the cheap seats while the more well-heeled fans rattle their jewelry. Don’t forget about the famous tailgating action pre-performance(s). Season runs through Aug. 26.

JULY

The Santa Fe Wine Festival

July 1-2

Sip your way through booth upon booth of wine from local vineyards while strolling the newly regraded paths of El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Adults $20, students and veterans $8.

Pancakes on the Plaza

July 4

The 45th year of classic cars and sticky syrup is back with live music, craft booths and near endless stacks of fresh pancakes. We’re not sure what the connection between breakfast foods and patriotic sentiment is, but it seems to be going strong. The full day runs from 7 am to 5 pm, but griddles cease sizzling at noon. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 on the day of the event.

International Folk Art Market

July 6-9

Folk artists from more than 50 countries bring their work to Santa Fe for the weekend, but don’t wind your way up to Museum Hill this year—the event has moved down to the Railyard Park. Check the website for parking updates and think about shelling out for early bird access. Tickets $15-$90.

Shakespeare in the Garden

July 27-Aug. 20

Santa Fe Classic Theater mounts its production of Much Ado About Nothing in the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. So, like, you should probably go see that lest love turn you into an oyster. #Puck4Prez

Best of Santa Fe Block Party

July 28

Santa Fe, SFR loves you so much, we’re bringing all our (collectively determined) favorite things together to celebrate your unique charms. Expect Best Of-winning live music, food trucks, booths and probably booze and stuff in the Santa Fe Railyard. 5-9 pm. Free.

Spanish Market

July 29-30

Now under the leadership of the Atrisco Heritage Foundation, the showcase of traditional Spanish Colonial artwork returns to the Plaza for its 71st year. Don’t forget to visit the Contemporary Hispanic Market artists highlighting new twists on tradition, either. Free.

AUGUST

Santa Fe Beer and Food Festival

August 5-6

Sorting hops from the Las Golondrinas fields in the hot sun is probably way more enjoyable when your belly’s full of fair food and local beer. Maybe wander down to the water and dip your toes after catching a historian’s talk on brewing? Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and teens, and free for kids 12 and under. Open noon-6 pm.

Indigenous Ways Festival

August 18

In addition to recurring Indigenous Ways offerings such as drumming, food trucks and Wise Fool puppets, this installment features a live performance by none other than internationally celebrated poet Joy Harjo! 5-9 pm in the Railyard Park. Free

Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival

August 18-20

Drive just north of town to Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino in Pojoaque and you’ll encounter a Native-run oasis of 350+ booths of Indigenous fine art, goods and more in the heart of Tewa country. Free.

Indian Market

August 19-20

Between the hundreds of traditional and contemporary artists featured on the Plaza by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the jaw-dropping runway looks on display at the Indigenous Fashion Show and the unaffiliated but equally jam-packed Free Indian Market at Federal Park, this is arguably Santa Fe’s most visually stunning weekend of the year. And we all know that’s saying something. 8 am-5 pm. Free.

SEPTEMBER

The Burning of Will Shuster’s Zozobra

September 1

Really though, is there any more New Mexican way to let the out-of-towners know the summer’s ending than by cremating a giant effigy of our gloom? This year’s decade theme is the aughts, so break out the apple bottom jeans. Tickets are available at burnzozobra.com.