Annual Events & Festivals
Celebrate the Seasons in The Real New Mexico
Las Cruces comes alive year-round with festivals, fiestas, and cultural celebrations you won’t want to miss. From chile cook-offs to art shows and balloon fiestas, there’s something for every traveler.
Plan Your Trip Tips
Explore can’t-miss annual events below
Check back for updates and full event details
Always confirm dates before your visit
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Fall Events
Harvest Wine Festival Las Cruces
Held Labor Day weekend, visitors can sample wine from multiple New Mexico wineries while enjoying live entertainment, take part in grape stomping and browse local vendors. Details on the Harvest Wine Fest...
Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch, NM
The Chile Capital of the World hosts a family-friendly event with a carnival, parade, vendors and live entertainment. Learn more about the Chile Festival...
Sky Fiesta
The community event features an action-packed air show that featuring pylon air racing, touted as the “world’s fastest motor sport.” The event also includes air show entertainment, exhibits, family activities and so much more! Find out more about Sky Fiesta...
Franciscan Fine Arts Festival
Set among pecan orchards at the serene Holy Cross Retreat Center, artists display and sell paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photographs, quilts, woodwork, glasswork and more. Enjoy the beloved enchilada lunch, paella, wine garden, raffle, silent auction, information booths and more. Details on the Fine Arts Fest...
Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta in Historic Mesilla
Historic Mesilla commemorates Mexico’s independence with a celebration on the plaza. Enjoy folklorico dancing, mariachi music, food, shopping and activities. Learn more about the Diez y Seis Fiesta...
La Viña Fall Wine Festival in La Union, NM
Enjoy good wine, live entertainment, food and more hosted by New Mexico’s oldest winery located in the small town of La Union. Find out more about the La Viña Fall Fest...
Mesilla Valley Maze
Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, enjoy family-fun activities, food and trek into the twists and turns of the corn field (design changes annually). Open throughout the fall season. Details on the Mesilla Valley Maze...
La Union Maze in La Union, NM
A Fall season borderland tradition with a 13-acre maze, pumpkin patch, jumping pillow, cow train and multiple attractions. Learn more about La Union Maze...
Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo
A reflection of the region’s rich farming history, the fair highlights an auction, livestock show, rodeo, live music, food, vendors and carnival. More on the the Southern NM Fair & Rodeo...
Las Cruces Space Festival
A celebration of all things aerospace, astronomical, suborbital, and light years away! The festival is celebrated in Southern New Mexico due to the area’s rich history with space and the first purpose-built commercial spaceport: Spaceport America. Find out more about the Space Fest...
@visitlascruces Be sure to get in on the maze fun before it ends. La Union Maze has plenty to offer: get lost, pick a pumpkin, slide, jump, role, and eat! It ends on Novemer 5th so be quick 🎃 #newmexico #anthonynewmexico #cornmaze #fall ♬ Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers @visitlascruces We're ready for #halloween at the #mesillavalley #cornmaze in #lascruces #newmexico - check it out! #traveltiktok #travel #tourism #visit #575 #915 ♬ Pumpkin - Omfg -
Winter Events
Renaissance ArtsFaire
Artisans gather to display and sell their artwork, put on live theater, dancing, live music and more. Also includes a beer and wine garden, children area, vendors and food all presented with a Renaissance theme. Details on the RenFaire...
HomeGrown
A New Mexico food show and gift market featuring only local and state vendors, wine tasting, and full access to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Learn more about HomeGrown...
Las Cruces Tree Lighting
Free, annual tree lighting on Plaza de Las Cruces, with live music, giveaways, refreshments, family activities, a visit from Santa and more. Find out more about the Tree Lighting...
Mesilla Christmas Tree Lighting in Historic Mesilla
Annual tree lighting on the Historic Mesilla Plaza with live entertainment and vendors. Details on Mesilla's Tree Lighting...
Las Cruces Chile Drop
A New Year’s tradition with a countdown displaying a 19-foot chrome chile with 400 feet of LED lighting over Plaza de Las Cruces. Will it turn red or green at midnight? The night features live entertainment, food and more. Learn more about the Chile Drop...
Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally
Celebrate a sky-high weekend filled with sunrise balloon ascensions, dazzling night glows, RC balloon shows, local vendors, and free, family-friendly fun for all ages. Find out more about the Balloon Rally...
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Spring Events
¡mira! Las Cruces
A free, family-friendly event highlighting the art and culture, cuisine, music and outdoor recreation that make the city and its surrounding communities one of a kind. Learn more about Mira Las Cruces!...
Las Cruces International Film Festival
The best in independent cinema gather to attend workshops and panels, with celebrity appearances and VIP experiences. Find out about the Film Fest...
Cowboy Days
This family-friendly event includes cowboy demonstrations, music, food, and activities that celebrate the state’s ranching traditions. Details on Cowboy Days...
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Memorial Death March traverses the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range and Las Cruces in a challenging trek honoring the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. Learn more about the Bataan Death March...
La Viña Spring Wine Festival in La Union, NM
A weekend of good music and good wine hosted by New Mexico’s oldest winery located in the small town of La Union. Find out more about La Viña's Spring Wine Fest...
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Historic Mesilla
A traditional Mexican fiesta experience with live entertainment, music, food, and dancing on the Historic Mesilla Plaza. Details on Mesilla's Cinco de Mayo...
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Summer Events
New Mexico Wine Festival Las Cruces
Held Memorial Day weekend, visitors can sample wine from multiple New Mexico wineries while enjoying live entertainment and local vendors. Find out more about the NM Wine Fest...
Fourth of July Electric Light Parade
A free, family-favorite event the night before July 4, the parade includes floats and cars draped in lights lining Las Cruces’ streets. Details on The Electric Light Parade...
Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks
Annual July 4 firework display hosted by the City of Las Cruces with headlining music acts and family-friendly activities. Learn more about the July 4 fireworks...