It’s finally here, folks! Today begins Fiesta de Santa Fe, a two-week celebration of the city’s 1692 reconconquest. It is one of Santa Fe’s most eagerly anticipated traditions, and for good reason. There’s so much to do and see (and of course, eat!), and there is fun for the whole family.
To help you make the most of Fiestas this year, below is a complete calendar of events, courtesy of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council.
We will definitely see you there!
FRI. SEPTEMBER 2
Burning of Zozobra
Fort Marcy Park | Gates open at 3pm, official events begin at 7pm | Purchase tickets
Fiestas kick off with the ceremonial burning of Zozobra, a 50-foot marionette made of muslin and shredded paper. The demise of the puppet, whose name is Spanish for “the gloomy one,” represents the banishment of all the misery and misfortune of the year to come. It’s a boisterous event as Zozobra goes down amid fireworks, dances, and other pageantry.
SAT. SEPTEMBER 3
Fiesta Fine Arts and Crafts Market
Santa Fe Plaza | 9 am – September 5 @ 5pm | Free event
The distinctive open-air arts and crafts market features treasures from booths that line the plaza. Select from unique hand fashioned jewelry, pottery, chic clothing, stylish leather, paintings, photography, handsome wood products, hand blown glass, and countless other items.
Mariachi Extravagaza featuring Mariachi Las Coronelas
Santa Fe Opera | 7:30pm – 10pm | Purchase tickets
Swirling dresses, stamping feet and ringing trumpets welcome participants to a passionate musical experience of traditional, contemporary and classical tastes. The piñon studded hills at The Santa Fe Opera set the stage for an extraordinary sunset and the joyous sound of internationally known award-winning artists.
TUE. SEPTEMBER 6
Fiestecita
Sweeney Ballroom/Convention Center | 6:30pm – 9:30pm
No information available. Check here for updates.
WED. SEPTEMBER 7
Concierto de Mariachi Matinee (10am and 2pm shows)
Lensic Performing Arts Center | Purchase tickets (10am) | Purchase tickets (2pm)
Participants enjoy a concert featuring performances from well-known mariachi groups, dancers and alumni of The Santa Fe Fiesta Council’s Youth Mariachi Workshop. Immediately after the concerts participants are provided refreshments and biscochitos. These concerts sell out quickly, buy your tickets early.
FRI. SEPTEMBER 9
Pregón de La Fiesta
Rosario Chapel | 6am | Free event
The faithful of Santa Fe gather to complete the promise made by Governor Don Diego de Vargas in September of 1692 upon his arrival in Santa Fe. The Mayor of Santa Fe issues the formal proclamation declaring the start of the annual festivity.
Food Booths
Santa Fe Plaza | 9am – September 11 @ 5pm | Free admission
Food is a staple of Fiesta weekend. Enjoy chicharrón burritos, green chile cheese burgers, fried bread, corn-on-the-cob, candied apples and more on the plaza.
Fiesta Fine Arts and Crafts Market
Santa Fe Plaza | 9am – September 11 @ 5pm | Free admission
The open-air arts and crafts market features treasures from booths that line the historic plaza. Select from unique hand fashioned jewelry, pottery, chic clothing, stylish leather, paintings, photography, handsome wood products, hand blown glass, and countless other items.
Bandstand on the Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza Gazebo | 10am – 10pm | Free event | View the performer lineup
The Plaza is transformed to a concert venue all of fiesta weekend featuring New Mexico’s most popular artists. Whether it is historic dances by Pueblo Indians, feather and gilded Aztec dancers, vibrant costumes by Mexican folklorico dancers, or the ritual drama performed by Matachine dances, each convey the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico.
City, County and State Official Opening of Fiesta
Santa Fe Plaza | 2pm | Free event
Join state, city, and county dignitaries at the commencement of the weekend’s activities.
Entrada de Don Diego De Vargas
Santa Fe Plaza | 2pm | Free event
Witness a live re-enactment of General Don Diego de Vargas, his Cuadrilla and his American Indian allies, resettling Santa Fe, as they did in 1692. The performance illustrates the true meaning behind Fiesta de Santa Fe, which is based on a promise made to Nuestra Senora de La Paz, La Conquistadora, the Marian figure enshrined in Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
SAT. SEPTEMBER 10
Pet Parade
Santa Fe Plaza | 9am | Free event
Santa Fe’s four-legged residents strut their stuff through the streets of downtown Santa Fe during Desfile de Los Niños (Pet Parade), one of Fiestas’ most beloved events. About 2,000 children, and their furry companions, don costumes and participate in the parade. It culminates in an awards ceremony on the plaza.
Bandstand on the Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza Gazebo | 10:45am – 10pm | Free event | View the performer lineup
The Plaza is transformed to a concert venue all of fiesta weekend featuring New Mexico’s most popular artists. Whether it is historic dances by Pueblo Indians, feather and gilded Aztec dancers, vibrant costumes by Mexican folklorico dancers, or the ritual drama performed by Matachine dances, each convey the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico.
Gran Baile featuring Cuarenta y Cinco
Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W Marcy St. | 7:30pm | $20.00 per person
The Gran Baile de la Fiesta has been a much-loved tradition for over a century. Held in honor of the Fiesta royalty, the Gran Baile attire is intricate, historical, and extremely colorful. Music by Cuarenta y Cinco Doors Open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Information Booth and at the Entertainment Bandstand at the Gazebo on the Plaza.
SUN. SEPTEMBER 11
Solemn Procession
Palace of the Governors, 105 W Palace Ave. | 9:30am – 10am | Free event
Procession will travel from the Palace of the Governors to the Cathedral Basilica. Retrace the footsteps of New Mexico’s ancestors as they process with the image of the La Conquistadora from the oldest capital building in the United States—the Palace of the Governors, constructed in 1607—to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi for a pontifical mass.
Pontifical Mass
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Pl. | 10am – 11:15am | Free event, seating is limited
A celebration of the Eucharist officiated by the archbishop of Santa Fe, Rev. Michael J. Sheehan. The mass is infused with beautiful traditional music, dance prayer by Native American community members, mariachis, and the individuals portraying Don Diego de Vargas, his Cuadrilla and the Royal Court.
Bandstand on the Plaza
Santa Fe Plaza Gazebo | 11am – 5:30pm | Free event | View the performer lineup
The Plaza is transformed to a concert venue all of fiesta weekend featuring New Mexico’s most popular artists. Whether it is historic dances by Pueblo Indians, feather and gilded Aztec dancers, vibrant costumes by Mexican folklorico dancers, or the ritual drama performed by Matachine dances, each convey the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico.
Desfile de la Gente (Historical Parade)
Santa Fe Plaza | 1pm – 3pm | Free event
The Desfile de la Fiesta is a popular event that features local marching bands, mariachi, sports teams, queens, floats, and politicians of every color. Dubbed the historical/hysterical parade, anything goes during this lively procession.
Closing Ceremonies
Santa Fe Plaza Gazebo | 5:15pm – 5:30pm | Free event
Closing ceremonies will be at the Santa Fe Plaza at the Plaza Gazebo.
Mass of Thanksgiving and Candlelight Procession
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Pl. | 7pm – 9pm | Free Event
Perhaps the most visually stunning event is the final event of the Fiesta. A candlelight procession follows a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Hundreds of participants make their way from the cathedral through the historic downtown streets, up the hill to the Cross of the Martyrs, where luminarias light the way for participants.