New Mexico’s art, culture and the great outdoors

Every aspect of travel in New Mexico is defined by culture and adventure.

It’s a surprisingly eclectic state just waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re exploring art galleries, tasting local cuisine, participating in an event or tradition, or spending time outdoors. It’s all happening here in 2025.

Route 66

Route 66 Centennial (Tucumcari, New Mexico to Gallup, New Mexico): Cruising Route 66 is a quintessential Americana experience. With 465 miles, the Land of Enchantment hosts more of the historic route than any other state. In 1926, the iconic, 2,400-mile “Mother Road” was born, connecting roads from Chicago through New Mexico to Los Angeles. In New Mexico, celebrations ahead of the 2026 centennial will kick off in 2025 with special events, nostalgic stays in hip, newly renovated vintage roadside motels, and a massive effort to restore the route’s beloved neon signs.

Route 66 Festival @ Santa Fe Railyard: A three-day centennial celebration of The Mother Road on October 10–12 including a beer and Americana music festival, pop-up food diner, antique car show and vintage souvenir market. The festivity kicks off on Friday night with a fundraising gala like no other. Give back to the farming community through the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute with barbeque, local wine and beer, live music, dancing and barnyard games.

TourABQ is offering Route 66 Speakeasy tours to celebrate the centennial. Hop aboard the ABQ Trolley Co. and cruise to three different speakeasies, each with its own unique charm.

Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill Albuquerque (on Central Avenue) will occur twice during the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations — July 2025 and July 2026. This exciting annual event celebrates the iconic Mother Road with a spectacular blend of music, food, art and fun.

The new West Central Route 66 Visitor Center, scheduled to open in summer 2025, adds an exciting stop for road trippers and neon sign enthusiasts. A collaborative effort between Bernalillo County, the City of Albuquerque and local stakeholders, the recently built 21,000-square-foot, $13.1 million West Central Route 66 Visitor Center includes a banquet/event hall, outdoor amphitheater, Route 66 museum, taproom and gift shop. The outdoor market areas, including the parking lot, will be utilized for a makeshift drive-in theater, car shows, artisan pop-ups and other outdoor events.

Anniversaries 

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum (Albuquerque): The world’s premier balloon museum facility dedicated to the art, culture, science, history, sport and spectacle of ballooning will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025 and is planning a renovation to include an outdoor playground and children’s exhibit. The milestone will be celebrated throughout the year with exciting new additions, including a theater showcasing films about global ballooning and the museum’s history, as well as the debut of an immersive exhibit, 20 Years of Joy, exploring the museum’s past, present, and future. During Balloon Fiesta 2025, the museum will host a variety of special events, including STEAM Night: The Art of Ballooning and the Lift Your Spirits Craft Cocktail Festival, offering views of Balloon Fiesta Park. Returning by popular demand, VR Balloon Rides will also be available daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Heritage Inspirations (Santa Fe, Taos, Chaco Canyon, and Albuquerque): 2025 is the 10th Anniversary of woman-led immersive tour operator, Heritage Inspirations. Heritage Inspirations ethos is centered around “traveling for good” and giving visitors a deeper sense of place. Plus: New Day Tour of Acoma Pueblo Day Tour + Chaco Canyon: Join Heritage Inspirations and experience the full Pueblo story, from both modernity and ancestral Puebloan cultures.

Cocktails and Culture Festival (Santa Fe): 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of New Mexico’s first and only mixology festival weekend featuring chefs and spirits from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and beyond. The weekend opens with Taco Wars on Friday, May 30 at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, and is followed by two days of tastings, seminars, and fun events. The festival then leads into New Mexico Cocktail Week (May 31 – June 8). This features bars and restaurants around the state.

Edelweiss Lodge & Spa (Taos Ski Valley): Celebrating 20 years of high-alpine, ski-in/ski-out excellence, Edelweiss Lodge & Spa offers luxury lodging and dining inspired by founder Dadou Mayer. The lodge also hosts the Taos Opera Institute’s summer concert series in its outdoor courtyard.

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society (Santa Fe): Celebrating its centennial in 2025, the Spanish Colonial Arts Society (SCAS), which owns and operates the Nuevo Mexicano Heritage Arts Museum (NMHA), has spent the past 100 years collecting, showcasing, and promoting the heritage arts of New Mexico on a global stage. Founded in 1925, SCAS acquired its first piece in 1928 and has since cultivated an unparalleled collection representing the rich artistic and cultural history of the region. The centennial celebration includes a calendar of events and the debut of 100 Years of Collecting, 100 Years of Connecting, an exhibit curated by Jana Gottshalk. The exhibit not only showcases the society’s renowned collection but also highlights the untold stories and connections behind its history. Notably, the exhibit will feature SCAS’s first acquisition, José Rafael Aragón’s Altar Screen (circa 1840), returning from its nearly century-long display at the Palace of the Governors. Other sections will explore SCAS’s founding ties to the School for Advanced Research, the Indian Arts Fund, and its role in shaping the Spanish Market and New Mexico’s cultural identity.

Rio Grande Theater (Las Cruces): 100th anniversary of the Rio Grande Theater. The oldest operating 2-story theater in the nation.

Truth or Consequences (Sierra County): In 2025, Sierra County will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the town of Hot Springs’ name change to Truth or Consequences, NM, a publicity stunt for the 1950s radio game show of the same name. The milestone will be commemorated during the Truth or Consequences Fiestas, coordinated by Main Street, in May. Truth or Consequences remains America’s most affordable spa town. This small resort town, with a year-round population of just over 8,000, offers a variety of lodging options. From larger, name-brand motels to charmingly restored spa hotels in the Historic Hot Springs and Downtown District

Art & culture

SWAIA Native Fashion Week, May 7-11, 2025 (Santa Fe): A dynamic extension of the renowned SWAIA Indian Market, this event merges haute couture with Indigenous artistry. With a vision to establish Santa Fe as the Native fashion capital of the world, SWAIA Native Fashion Week celebrates the innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of Indigenous designers on a global stage.

SITE Santa Fe International (Santa Fe): The biennial SITE Santa Fe International, formerly the SITE Santa Fe Biennial, returns in 2025 after a seven-year hiatus. Curated by Cecilia Alemani, the 12th edition will open in summer 2025 and run through early 2026. Since its inception in 1995, the exhibition has been a pioneer in international contemporary art, inspiring similar events worldwide. Known for its artist-centric approach, the International has become a cornerstone of SITE Santa Fe’s year-round programming.

Outdoors

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Cochiti Pueblo): Now open as of late 2024 after a four-year closure. Visitors are welcome to begin making reservations through Recreation.gov for their future visits. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is famous for its scenic cone-shaped formations, composed of pumice, ash, and tuff deposits from volcanic eruptions six to seven million years ago. Picnic tables, shelters, and toilets are available at the Monument. The Monument includes a National Recreational Trail for hiking only. The Trail contains two segments that provide opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, geologic observation, and plant identification.

Valles Caldera National Preserve (Los Alamos): As the gateway to three National Parks, Los Alamos invites summer travelers to discover Valles Caldera National Preserve, an International Dark Sky Park as of 2021. By day, the preserve is a haven for fishing, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. By night, it transforms into a stargazer’s paradise, with sprawling views of stars and constellations from six designated pullouts. Enhance your visit with astronomy programs, full moon hikes, and other night sky events throughout the year. View a full line-up of night sky programs here.

Elephant Butte Dam Site Historic District (Elephant Butte): The Bureau of Reclamation is set to complete significant upgrades to the Dam Site Historic District by Spring 2025. The revitalization includes newly paved roads, upgraded casitas, dark-sky-friendly lighting, and improved water utilities. These enhancements aim to preserve the district’s historic charm while providing a more comfortable and eco-conscious experience.

Trees Lake (Deming): This five-acre lake in downtown Deming is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and family-friendly activities. Ongoing development includes new trails and amenities, along with an exciting new inflatable water park for all ages.

Graze Days at Railyard Park (Santa Fe) With the use of grazing sheep and goats, Railayd Park Conservancy’s project aims to restore the Park’s 2.1 acres of native grasslands, while educating the community on the many benefits of prescribed grazing both in working and urban landscapes.

BEYOND 2025

New Mexico Wine’s 400th anniversary in 2029: Boasting the oldest wine-making region in the country, New Mexico has a surprising wine scene, with more than 50 wineries and grapes that prosper in high elevations and sandy soil. It first began in 1629, when Spanish monks secretly planted vines to grow grapes for sacramental wine. Today, local wine-makers are evolving their methods from traditional European roots.

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