Spend the Holidays in Santa Fe, NM
This season, bask in the enchanting holiday atmosphere of Santa Fe! Watch the adobe buildings take on a new identity when lightly dusted with snow. The blend of Southwest charm and festive winter activities create an unforgettable experience that will tempt you to make a Santa Fe vacation number one on your holiday wishlist. Plan an exciting winter getaway and celebrate like the locals this holiday season!
Must-Try 2024 Holiday Events in Santa Fe
Christmas on the Plaza & Light Parade
December 14, 2024 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Make your way to the Espanola Plaza to celebrate the “All Aboard the Christmas Express” themed celebration. Since 1996, visitors and locals have celebrated the holidays with an electrifying light parade. Experience the authentic New Mexican way of celebrating with live music, seasonal treats from local vendors, and fun traditions and activities for the whole family.
Santa Fe Farolito Walk
December 24, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Canyon Road becomes a luminous wonderland during the Farolito Walk. Watch as thousands of farolitos, or paper bags filled with sand and votive candles, cast a golden glow along adobe walls and winding paths of the historic arts district. Local galleries and restaurants open their doors, offering warm beverages and seasonal treats, creating an unforgettable community celebration that captures the true spirit of the holidays in New Mexico.
New Year’s Eve on the Plaza
December 31, 2024 | 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Ring in 2025 in the heart of Santa Fe with our unique tradition of the rising of an illuminated Zia Symbol. This symbol honors the region’s rich cultural heritage as the Plaza awakens with the warmth of cozy bonfires, live music, and complimentary hot chocolate. Watch the fireworks light up the sky and welcome the new year with the warmth and laughter of Santa Fe locals and visitors alike.
Dances and Celebrations at Pueblos
Celebrate the holidays with dances from different Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations from Christmas Eve until the New Year’s. Observe the Ohkay Owingeh Turtle Dance and Santo Domingo Pueblo Corn Dance near the end of the month. Be sure to call before visiting to make sure times and dates haven’t changed.
Plan Winter Adventures for the Entire Family
Ski Santa Fe
Just 30 minutes from downtown Santa Fe’s historic plaza, Ski Santa Fe offers an unparalleled winter sports experience at a breathtaking base elevation of 10,350 feet. With over 660 acres of skiable terrain, 86 trails, and an annual snowfall of 225+ inches, this mountain paradise caters to all skill levels while providing stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Equipment rentals, ski school, and a cozy lodge with dining options make it perfect for both day trips and extended ski vacations.
Winter Sports in Santa Fe
When it comes to winter sports near Santa Fe, Angel Fire Resort has established itself as the region’s ultimate family winter playground. While expert skiers can challenge themselves on advanced runs, families particularly appreciate the resort’s well-maintained tubing hills and extensive network of snowmobiling trails. The addition of ice skating and cross-country skiing trails makes Angel Fire an ideal destination for extended winter vacations, offering enough variety to keep visitors engaged for days on end.
Explore the Highlight of Santa Fe’s Culinary Scene in the Winter
Make Holiday Dinner Reservations
Dip away from the Farolito Walk and enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner at The Compound. This year, the menu showcases both holiday classics and innovative cuisine, featuring standouts like the Butter Poached Lobster Tails served atop Carnaroli rice risotto with buttered leek confit, and the traditional Buche de Noel, featuring dark chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, and delicate meringue mushrooms. At $165 per person, this culinary celebration offers the perfect finale to your evening of wandering Santa Fe’s luminaria-lit streets.
For reservations, please call (505) 982-4353. Special children’s menu available for guests under 12 at $40 per person.
Enjoy the Chocolate Trail Throughout Downtown Santa Fe
When winter chills sweep through Santa Fe’s historic streets, locals know the perfect way to warm up – following the city’s artisanal hot chocolate trail. At Kakawa Chocolate House, you’ll discover ancient-recipe chocolate elixirs that transform your typical hot chocolate experience into something extraordinary. These rich, warming drinks are crafted from historical recipes that blend traditional spices with fine chocolate. Just steps from the Plaza, Sweet Santa Fe carries on a 40-year chocolate-making legacy, offering their own unique spin on hot chocolate alongside handcrafted confections. Each cup tells a story of Santa Fe’s unique relationship with chocolate, making it the perfect complement to a crisp winter day of exploring the City Different.
Stay in “The City Different” with Casas De Santa Fe
Make your holiday plans truly special by planning your stay with Casas De Santa Fe. As you look through our vast inventory, you’ll find authentic adobe homes and luxury condos just minutes away from the Plaza. Prepare a holiday meal for the family in a fully equipped kitchen and then warm up by the copy Kiva fireplace. Casas De Santa Fe makes it easy to plan the perfect holiday getaway on your time. If you’re bringing the whole family to explore the Magic of Santa Fe, get more space for your money by renting one of our homes that are perfect for large groups. Need to stay longer? Browse our monthly rentals to spend Christmas and the New Year in a new scenery. Plan your stay now, before the rest of our winter dates fill up!