Las Cruces, New Mexico Events
With so many great events in Las Cruces, New Mexico year-round, there is never a shortage of things to do in Las Cruces. Check out the calendar of events below that highlight the featured events that occur in the Las Cruces local area throughout the year.
Azul Ultra Lounge
There's always something special happening at the most sophisticated nightclub in Las Cruces.
- Monday-Friday 5-7pm Happy Hour Specials at Azul, special food and drink menu prices
- Friday-Saturdays enjoy live acoustic music and special sushi stations from 6-9pm on and after 9pm dance to the vibes of hot local and guest DJs at Southern New Mexico's hottest nightclub. Find details about the happenings and action at Azul visit www.facebook.com/AzulUltraLounge
January
Las Cruces Jam Session (January-February)
- This two-month long event focuses on the art and culture of jazz. The festival showcases multi-media exhibits, concerts, public galleries, and educational outreach programs to students of all ages. Branigan Cultural Center, 501 North Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 575-541-2154 www.lcjazz.org
Annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally
- Over 90 unique and colorful balloons fill the skies over the Mesilla Valley. Food vendors and activities. Brown Farm Field, north of town, east of El Camino Real and southeast of Armstrong Rd. Free admission. For more information call 575-526-7528. www.mvbr.com
February
Annual for the Love of Art Month
- In the heart of Mesilla Plaza and Community Center, this celebration includes a book fair, storytelling, and of course, many artists showing off their exhibitions. A city-wide celebration that anyone can participate in! Various Locations – City-Wide in Las Cruces, NM 575-521-3838 love-of-art@comcast.net
March
Cowboy Days
- Hosted at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, this two-day event includes activities for the whole family like musical performances and horseback rides. 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, NM 575-522-1232 http://www.nmcowboydays.com/
Annual Bataan Death March
- This memorial march takes place in the White Sands Missile Range. It is held in honor of the people who unselfishly defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico 575-678-1134 www.bataanmarch.com
April
Trinity Site Open House
- Trinity Site is home to the first atomic bomb explosion on earth! Located at White Sands Missile Range, this open house gives guests a preview to Ground Zero as well as the ranch house where the first plutonium bomb core was tested. Open on the first Saturday of the month only. White Sands Missile Range, Stallion Gate off Highway 380, Alamogordo, NM 575-678-1134 www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity
Border Book Festival
- An event that brings together authors from around the world along with a myriad of live performance, delicious food, and, of course, lots of reading! Various Locations, Las Cruces, NM 575- 523-3988 www.borderbookfestival.org
La Viña Blues & Jazz Thing
- A full weekend of lively music and great wine hosted at New Mexico's oldest winery: La Viña Winery. La Viña Winery, 4201 S. Highway 28, La Union/Anthony, NM 575-882-7632 www.nmwine.com
May
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
- A traditional Mexican festival to honor Mexico's second revolution. The event is accompanied by delicious Mexican delicacies and dancing throughout the historic Mesilla Plaza. Old Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla, NM 575-524-3262 www.oldmesilla.org
Blessing of the Field
- Formerly known as La Fiesta de San Ysidro, this event celebrates New Mexico's 3,000 year-old farming heritage. The celebration includes farming demonstrations along with mariachi music and many other fun-filled events. New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces, NM 575-522-4100 www.frhm.org
- A wine festival hosted at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds where guests can sample wine from wineries throughout New Mexico along with enjoying live entertainment. 575-522-1232 www.nmwine.com
Southern New Mexico Wine Festival
June
Annual Raft the Rio Grande Race and Festival at the River
- An exhilarating competition where participants construct rafts out of recycled materials to vie for prizes. Participants and spectators have equal amounts of fun, making it an event suitable for the entire family. Rio Grande River at West Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 575-522-5552 www.wildmesquite.org/events/Raft-the-Rio
Serra Club Antique and Collectible Show and Sale
- For more than 20 years, antique collectors flock to this festival to both peruse and purchase rare vintage items. St Genevieve's Parish Hall, 1025 E. Las Cruces Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 575-526-8624
Antique Treasure's Day
- The one day a year where visitors get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of New Mexico's Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Guests are privy to tours given by a museum curator who guide them into the museum's enormous collection's storage room that holds over 9,000 artifacts. New Mexico Farm and Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces, NM 575-522-4100 www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org
Annual La Casa Girls' Night Out
- An event catered to women of all ages where they can indulge in massages, makeovers, manicures, and more! The proceeds from the event go to La Casa, a domestic violence service provider. 575- 522-1232 www.lcgirlsnightout.com
July
July 4th Annual Country Picnic and Open House
- Hosted at La Viña Winery, this is a perfect event to celebrate the fourth of July with your entire family. Just bring your own picnic and there will be plenty of music, sport activities and food for purchase. 4201 S. Hwy 28., La Union, NM 88021, 575-882-7632 http://www.lavinawinery.com
August
Annual Antiques, Collectibles, Craft Show and Sale
- An antique show hosted by the University United Methodist Women's Church where people can enjoy food, unique crafts, and a silent auction. University United Methodist Church, 2000 S. Locust Street, Las Cruces, NM 575-522-8220 www.uumclascruces.org
- Hosted at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, guests can learn about butterflies through hands on activities like arts and crafts and games. Guests also get a chance to meet gardeners and entomologists to learn even more about the mystical creatures. Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N. Jornada Road, Las Cruces, NM 575-524-3334 www.asombro.org/
September
Hatch Chile Festival
- This two-day celebration brings in over 30,000 visitors from across the nation. Festival goers can taste the coveted chile recipes, watch the crowning of the chile festival queen, or visit one of the many food booths. Hatch, New Mexico, 37 miles N. on I-25. 575-522-1232, 575-267-5483, or 575-267-5050 www.hatchchilefest.com/
Annual Frontier Days
- Held at Fort Selden State Monument, this two-day event is a great event for all age groups to come together and celebrate the lives of the civilians and soldiers that protected local residents. Fort Selden State Monument, 13 miles North of Las Cruces off of I-25 – exit 19, Las Cruces, NM 575-526-8911 www.nmmonuments.org
New Mexico Wine Harvest Wine Festival
- Celebrate New Mexico's wine harvest with grape stomping, wine tasting, live entertainment. Festival features arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, hourly wine seminars and great relaxed atmosphere. Southern New Mexico State Fairground, 12 miles west of Las Cruces, I-10 exit, 127 & 132. Call for time and entertainment schedule. 575-522-1232. www.wineharvestfestival.com
October
Trinity Site Open House
- Trinity Site is home to the first atomic bomb explosion on earth! Located at White Sands Missile Range, this open house gives guests a preview to Ground Zero as well as the ranch house where the first plutonium bomb core was tested. Open on the first Saturday of the month only. White Sands Missile Range, Stallion Gate off Highway 380, Alamogordo, NM 575-678-1134 www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity
Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo
- The fair has something for everyone; a midway, an auction, food, music, livestock shows, cowboy rodeo and live car racing. Southern New Mexico State Fairground, 12 miles west of Las Cruces, I-10 west, exit 127 or 132. 575-524-8602, www.snmstatefair.com
Mesilla Valley Maze and Pumpkin Patch
- An activity that pleases both children and parents! Located at Lyles Family Farms, families can come and enjoy the crisp fall weather while picking out the perfect Jack-O-Lantern and then taking a stroll through the famous corn maze. Lyles Family Farms, 3855 W. Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 575-526-1919 www.mesillavalleymaze.com/
November
Veterans' Day Ceremony in Old Mesilla
- The quaint town of Mesilla holds this annual festival to celebrate the lives and careers of veterans from both Mesilla and the US.
- Parque de los Veteranos, corner of Avenida de Mesilla (which is Highway 28) and Calle del Norte in Mesilla, Mesilla, NM 575-524-3262 ext. 116 www.oldmesilla.org
- A parade of volunteers that march through the streets of Las Cruces in honor of both the local and national veterans. Downtown Las Cruces, Las Cruces, NM 575-541-2000 or 575-527-7726 www.lascrucesvetday.org
- International Mariachi Student Showcase Conference & Spectacular Concert Spectacular concert featuring known mariachi performers. New Mexico State University Pan American Center, on University Avenue. 575-525-1735 www.lascrucesmariachi.org
Veterans' Day Parade – City of Las Cruces
December
Annual Holiday Open House
- A celebration hosted at White Sands National Monument where guests can tour the premises while being engulfed in live music and surrounded by delicate luminarias. White Sands National Monument, 45 miles east of Las Cruces, Highway 70, NM 575-679-2599 ext. 236 www.nps.gov/whsa
- Bring your family and come enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while thousands of luminarias glow in historic downtown Las Cruces. Downtown Las Cruces, Las Cruces, NM
575-541-2288 or 575-541-2296
City of Las Cruces' Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Held during the first Friday, come and immerse yourself in the Las Cruces community by joining locals as they light the Christmas tree downtown. This family-oriented event is hosted by the mayor. Downtown Las Cruces on the corner of Main and Picacho, Las Cruces, NM 575-541-2000 www.las-cruces.org
Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Shopping Late in Mesilla
- Come join the residents of Mesilla as they light thousands of luminarias in honor of the holiday spirit! While no pets or alcoholic beverages are allowed, the town keeps several stores open late so that guests can shop while they enjoy the lit-up plaza. Old Mesilla Plaza – south of Highway 28, Mesilla, NM 575-524-3262 ext. 116 or 117 www.oldmesilla.org
Year-Round Activities
White Sands National Monument
- Located in the heart of the Tularosa Basin, dunes surround 275 miles of desert making it not only the world's largest dunefield, but also home to hundreds of plants and animals. The national monument comes alive on ranger guided tours or full moon hikes. 45 miles east of Las Cruces, Highway 70, NM575-679-2599 ext. 230 or 575-479-6124 ext. 236 www.nps.gov/whsa
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
- This 935 acre park is not only topographically diverse but it offers some of the most breathtaking views. With the abundant wildlife prominent throughout the park, it is a perfect place for the entire family to go on a hike or picnic. 56501 N. Jornada Road, Las Cruces, NM 575-524-3334 www.asombro.org/naturepark
