Annual Events & Festivals

Las Cruces is rich in vibrant and seasonal events that celebrate the community’s diverse interests and culture. Check out a few of the annual outings you may want to attend on your next visit! Before making the trip, make sure to verify the event information. Please check for updates and a full list of daily events.

Spring

Las Cruces International Film Fest Giancarlo Esposito 2023Las Cruces International Film Festival

The best in independent cinema gather to attend workshops and panels, with celebrity appearances and VIP experiences.

www.lascrucesfilmfest.com

¡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. 

http://visitlascruces.com 

Cowboy Days

This family-friendly event includes cowboy demonstrations, music, food, and activities that celebrate the state’s ranching traditions.

http://www.frhm.org

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. 

www.bataanmarch.com

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.

lcspacefestival.com 

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.

http://lavinawinery.com

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Historic Mesilla

A traditional Mexican fiesta experience with live entertainment, music, food, and dancing on the Historic Mesilla Plaza.

https://www.mesillanm.gov

 

Summer

Blazin’ Brew Fest

The New Mexico Brewer’s Guild hosts a beer festival featuring live music, food, games, demonstrations and more.

www.nmbeer.org

New Mexico Wine Festival Las CrucesHarvest wine fest 2022 couple

Held Memorial Day weekend, visitors can sample wine from multiple New Mexico wineries while enjoying live entertainment and local vendors.

https://nmwine.com/nm-winefestival-lascruces

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.

www.lascruces.gov 

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.

www.lascruces.gov 

Fall 

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.

https://nmwine.com/nm-winefestival-lascruces

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.

https://hatchchilefestival.org/

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.

https://franciscanartfestival.org

Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta in Historic MesillaFranciscan fine arts fest 2022

Historic Mesilla commemorates Mexico’s independence with a celebration on the plaza. Enjoy folklorico dancing, mariachi music, food, shopping and activities.

https://www.mesillanm.gov

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.

http://lavinawinery.com

Zoot Suit Pachanga & Car Show

The Mesquite Historic District’s annual event embraces the style and culture of the 30s and 40s, with live music, car show, bike show, best dressed contests and more.

Mesquite Historic District on Facebook

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.

www.mesillavalleymaze.com

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.

www.launionmaze.com

SalsaFest

Try local salsas, live entertainment, food, vendors, dancing and more.

https://downtownlascruces.org/

Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo

A reflection of the region’s rich farming history, the fair highlights a midway, auction, livestock show, cowboy rodeo, live music, food, vendors and carnival.

snmstatefairgrounds.net

Mesilla Jazz Happening in Historic Mesilla

Free, live jazz music throughout Historic Mesilla.

https://www.mesillanm.gov/

Zombie Walk

Participants dress as zombies and walk downtown Main Street. Live entertainment, vendors, food and music.

https://downtownlascruces.org/

Dia de Los Muertos in Historic Mesilla

The multi-day celebration of life includes a display of homemade altars on the plaza, live entertainment, candlelight procession, food, shopping and more.

https://www.mesillanm.gov

 

Winter

Renaissance ArtsFaireRenaissance Arts Faire procession

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.

http://daarts.org

Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference

An entertainment and learning experience, including workshops taught by renowned mariachi performers and educators, a student showcase and Mariachi Spectacular concert with international headliners.

www.lascrucesmariachi.org

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.

www.frhm.org

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.

www.lascruces.gov 

Mesilla Christmas Tree Lighting in Historic Mesilla

Annual tree lighting on the Historic Mesilla Plaza with live entertainment and vendors.

https://www.mesillanm.gov

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.

https://downtownlascruces.org/