7 of the Best Fall Festivities in Santa Fe

New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment and for good reason. From its vast, serene deserts to its tall mountain peaks, there are endless adventures at every turn. During the autumn months, the need to wind down from summer activities only increases. Santa Fe prides itself on good weather and aims to support a host of different events. Here is a list of 7 of the Best Fall Festivities in Santa Fe.

1. Santa Fe Indigenous Peoples Day

This exciting and important three-day event is hosted every year in Santa Fe. As a tribute to the ancestors that claimed the land in Santa Fe, there is an abundance of fun and education at this event. The main goal is for the community to remember and honor the valued Native American neighbors.
From Saturday, October 12th through Monday, October 14th at the Downtown Santa Fe Historic Plaza, you can enjoy performances and stories like the Buffalo Dance Group, Youth Hoop Dancers, storytelling of the Indigenous History of O’gah Po’oge, and more! Visitors from all over the world come and experience this rich culture.

2. Santa Fe Independent Film Festival

One of the most premier events in New Mexico is the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. This event brings you over 100 different films from all walks of life and genres. The Santa Fe Independent Film Festival's purpose is to advance independent, cutting edge, and innovative cinema. For five days, you can enjoy the excellence of filmmaking brought to you by the community.

The festival begins October 16th and goes through October 20th at various venues in downtown Santa Fe. Tickets first went on sale on September 25th, but you can still purchase tickets and enjoy films from over 70 countries and 2019’s top foreign films. This film festival prides itself on being the most thought-provoking independent film event from all over the globe, so you want to put this on your list!

3. Halloween West Coast Swing Dance

Dance the night away and learn to step to the beat. The Halloween West Coast Swing Dance will be volunteering time to teach you to swing dance with a partner. Costumes are highly encouraged but not required! Located at the Dance Station in Santa Fe, on October 25th, this event will surely get you in the spirits for Halloween. Intro to West Coast Swing will begin at 7 pm and the West Coast Swing Dance will follow at 8 pm. This is perfect if you seek a unique Halloween experience.

4. Carlos Gilbert Halloween Carnival

This exciting public event is fun for the whole family! This spooky activity takes place on Saturday, October 26th, from 12 pm to 5 pm at Carlos Gilbert Blackhawks Elementary School in Santa Fe. The school will feature ghoulish entertainment such as a hunted house, costume contest, sweet and savory food, photo booth, jugglers, magicians and so much more! Your kids will have a great time. Don’t leave without getting your face painted and entering one of the many cash and basket raffles.

You can purchase a carnival wristband for $25 which will gain you unlimited access to most games and attractions. It does exclude the photo booth, restaurant walk, face painting, balloon twisting, raffles, meltdown, and other food. Another great option for kids is the Meltdown wristband for $15 which gets you unlimited turns. Whether you are coming to play games or to win prizes, you can rest assured you and your family will have a spooky time.

5. Eldorado Arts & Crafts Association

For the past 29 years, this band of local artists has come together to showcase amazing work. The annual Fall Art Show is held in a single venue - St. John’s Methodist Church at 1200 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe. With more than 150 artists, this venue allows the association to expand with a larger audience. The Eldorado Studio Tour is one of the largest in the region and features a variety of media pieces from talented artists.

The fall showcase will be held Friday, November 1st, 2019 from 1 pm-7 pm and Saturday, November 2, 2019, from 9 am-4 pm.

6. New Mexico Combination Plate

New Mexico is known for its chile and this event is no exception. The only thing you will need to be prepared for is deciding between red or green. Spoiler alert, you need to get both! Join the Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe in Santa Fe on November 15th, 2019 from 6-9 pm. Participate in the delicious fun as your senses are enveloped in blue corn chile rellenos, chili con queso, carne ardovado, green chile chicken enchiladas, green rice, and drunken pintos. If that is not enough to satisfy your cravings, there is more. The featured desserts are sopaipillas and a frozen ancho peanut butter pie! November is a cool month in Santa Fe so heat up your insides and attend this event.

7. Ski Santa Fe

A hot commodity in a snowy environment, Ski Santa Fe is the place to be when you want to have a fun-filled day. The tentative opening day is scheduled for November 28th, 2019 and will close April 5th, 2020. The office opens at 8 am and lifts open promptly at 9 am. You can check their website at skisantafe.com before you head up the mountain. Stop in at the To Temoff’s Bar for a quick bite. The park features a freestyle terrain, lifts, training, and a sports shop. This is a great weekend getaway to conclude Fall.




Santa Fe is rich in culture and strives to be a place for all members of a family to enjoy. Maximize your fall activities by walking through an art tour, watching innovative films, attending a Halloween dance or carnival, and eating the finest food while you head up the mountain to ski. No matter the adventure you seek, Santa Fe will not disappoint.