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 Festival
The best in independent cinema gather to attend workshops and panels, with celebrity appearances and VIP experiences.
¡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.
Cowboy Days
This family-friendly event includes cowboy demonstrations, music, food, and activities that celebrate the state’s ranching traditions.
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.
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.
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.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Historic Mesilla
A traditional Mexican fiesta experience with live entertainment, music, food, and dancing on the Historic Mesilla Plaza.
Summer
Blazin’ Brew Fest
The New Mexico Brewer’s Guild hosts a beer festival featuring live music, food, games, demonstrations and more.
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.
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.
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.
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 Mesilla
Historic Mesilla commemorates Mexico’s independence with a celebration on the plaza. Enjoy folklorico dancing, mariachi music, food, shopping and activities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Winter
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mesilla Christmas Tree Lighting in Historic Mesilla
Annual tree lighting on the Historic Mesilla Plaza with live entertainment and vendors.
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.
