Country Inn and Suites Albuquerque Airport

Albuquerque Events & Entertainment

Events

January

New Year's Day. There is a transfer of canes to new officials and various dances at most pueblos. For example, Turtle Dance at Taos Pueblo (no photography allowed). 800/793-4955 for more information.

Winter Wine Festival, Taos Ski Valley. Mid-January. A variety of wine offerings and food tastings prepared by local chefs. 505/776-2291 for details.

¡Magnifico! Albuquerque Festival of the Arts. This celebration features various visual and performing arts events held throughout the year. For a schedule of all events, call tel. 505/242-8244.

February

Feb. 2: Candelaria Day Celebration, Picuris Pueblo. This celebration involves the presentation many traditional dances. 505/587-2519 for more information.

March

National Fiery Foods/Barbecue Show. Early March. An opportunity to taste the hottest and some milder flavors too. A trade show that attracts 10,000 visitors who taste sauces, salsas, candies, honeys, chips, pestos, nuts, jams, jellies, snacks, and more, and watch cooking demonstrations. Albuquerque Convention Center. For information call 505/873-8680.

Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival. Second week of March. A juried show featuring 200 artists and craftspeople from around the country takes place at the State Fairgrounds. 505/292-7457 for more information.

April

Easter Weekend Celebration. There are dances at most pueblos. Celebrations include Masses, parades, Corn Dances, and other dances, such as the Bow and Arrow Dance at Nambe. Call 800/793-4955 for information.

Easter Sunday Celebration, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque. Traditional dances are performed by Native Americans. The Easter Bunny attends and holds an egg hunt. 505/843-7270.

American Indian Week, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque. This week celebrates Native American traditions and culture. For dates and information, call 505/843-7270.

Gathering of Nations Powwow, Late April, University Arena, Albuquerque. At this event, you can see dance competitions, arts-and-crafts exhibitions, and Miss Indian World contest. 505/836-2810.

May

Memorial Day Weekend

New Mexico Wine and Chile Festival

The Rio Grande Valley is the only location in the world where Green Chile is grown. This is truly the flavor of the Southwest. At the chili festivals, devotees pay tribute to this highly addictive, extremely healthful vegetable.

Cinco de Mayo Fiestas, statewide. The restoration of the Mexican republic (from French occupation during 1863-67) is celebrated the first weekend in May in, among other places, Las Cruces at Old Mesilla Plaza (800/FIESTAS or 505/524-8521); and Truth or Consequences (800/831-9487 or 505/894-3536).

June

Rodeo de Santa Fe. Mid-June. At the rodeo grounds (3237 Rodeo Rd., off Cerrillos Road). This four-day event features a Western parade, a rodeo dance, and five rodeo performances. It attracts hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls from all over the Southwest who compete for a sizable purse in such events as Brahma bull and bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, trick riding, and clown and animal acts.

San Antonio Feast Day. June 13. Enjoy Corn Dances at many of the pueblos. For information, call 505/843-7270.

New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair, the last full weekend in June. The fair is held at the State Fairgrounds. A tradition for over 40 years, this juried show offers work from more than 200 New Mexico artisans, accompanied by nonstop entertainment for the whole family. For information, call 505/884-9043.

July

Santa Fe Opera. The world-class Santa Fe Opera season runs from the beginning of July to the end of August. Call 505/986-5955 for more information.

Santa Fe Wine Festival at Rancho de las Golondrinas. early July. Live entertainment and wine tastings presided over by hosts dressed in period clothing. Call tel. 505/892-4178.

Fourth of July Celebrations. Parades, fireworks, and various other events are held .

August

The Indian Market, Santa Fe. Third weekend in August. This is the largest all-Native American market in the country. About 1,000 artisans display their baskets and blankets, jewelry, pottery, woodcarvings, rugs, sand paintings, and sculptures at rows of booths. Sales are brisk. Costumed tribal dancing and crafts demonstrations are scheduled in the afternoon. 505/983-5220.

September

Labor Day weekend: Hatch Chile Festival.

New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo, The Fair and Rodeo, which last 17 days starting in early September, are held at the State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. Advance tickets can be ordered by calling tel. 505/265-1791. One of America's top state fairs, it features pari-mutuel horse racing, a nationally acclaimed rodeo, entertainment by top country artists, Native American and Spanish villages, the requisite midway livestock shows, and arts and crafts.

Mexican Independence Day. A parade and dances take place on the weekend closest to September 16 in Las Cruces at Old Mesilla Plaza (tel. 800/FIESTAS or 505/541-2444) and Carlsbad at San Jose Plaza (tel. 800/221-1224 or 505/887-6516), with a rodeo as well in Carlsbad.

October

Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival, Albuquerque. First and second weekend in October. 505/292-7457. This event features artists and craftspeople from around the country.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. second week in October. The world's largest balloon rally, this nine-day festival brings together more than 750 colorful balloons and includes races and contests. There are mass ascensions at sunrise, "balloon glows" in the evening, and balloon rides for those desiring a little lift. Various special events are staged all week. 800/733-9918

November

Weems Artfest, A 3-day weekend in early November. State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque. Approximately 260 artisans, who work in mixed media, come from throughout the world to attend this fair. It's one of the top 100 arts-and-crafts fairs in the country. For details, call 505/293-6133.

December

Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta, Tortugas, near Las Cruces. Pilgrimage to Tortugas Mountain and torchlight descent, followed by mass and traditional Hispanic dances. December 10 to 12. Call 505/526-8171 for more information.

Sundown Torchlight Procession of the Virgin. Vespers at San Juan, Picuris, Tesuque, Nambé, and Taos Pueblos; Matachine Dances at Taos Pueblo; and Buffalo Dances at Nambé Pueblo. December 24. For more information, call 800/793-4955 or 505/852-4265.

Matachines Dances and Other Dances. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, many pueblos celebrate with dances. The Matachines Dances take place at Picuris and San Juan Pueblos on Christmas morning. Contact 505/852-5265 for dance schedules for these and other pueblos.

Albuquerque Destination Overview

Albuquerque, a remarkably beautiful oasis in the high desert, offers an exciting array of activities for all ages and interests. Whether its mountain biking or hiking, golfing or skiing, touring one of Albuquerque’s vineyards or browsing museums, galleries, and shops, there is a vast range of choices for any visitor. The city is gracefully spread out across an elevated valley along the banks of the Rio Grande River, with the Sandia Mountains rising beyond and to the east. It is in the center of New Mexico, approximately 240 miles north of the Mexican border and 55 miles southwest of Santa Fe. Discover Albuquerque’s colorful past when you explore Historic Old Town, where the Villa of Albuquerque was founded in 1706.

Within walking distance are several museums, including the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. There are also hundreds of shops, boutiques, and art galleries to enjoy. As you stroll down Central Avenue in Old Town, you will find yourself on historic Route 66, which once seemed much larger in its role as the connector between Chicago and Los Angeles. Some landmarks still remain. Revel in Albuquerque’s present, as you watch hundreds of hot air balloons ascending into blue skies during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest, most photographed balloon event.

Hikers will find that Albuquerque has some excellent and very challenging trails in the Sandia Mountains, as well as less strenuous routes west of town through Petroglyph National Monument. Looking for the ultimate hiking experience? Taking the beautiful 7 mile long, La Luz Trail to the top of the Sandias is the answer. The trail passes through high desert and pine forest, and offers spectacular views of Albuquerque, the West Mesa and the mountain ranges beyond. There are also gentle hiking trails in the 270 acre Rio Grande Nature Center, 4 miles northwest of downtown.

Trails wind through meadows and groves, and pass the habitats of local wildlife. There are also several trails in the Albert G. Simms Park, which both hikers and mountain bikers enjoy. It is possible to leave downtown and be on the slopes at the Sandia Peak Ski Area in less than an hour. There you will find 26 downhill skiing runs for a range of abilities, and the cross-country skiing attraction of the Sandia Crest National Skiing Byway.

Sandia Peak is easily accessed via the Tramway or Highways 14 and 536. In the summer, mountain bikers can travel on Sandia Peak's chairlifts with their bikes for some extreme downhill cycling. The Sandia Lakes Recreation Area, just 10 miles north of Albuquerque, has three lakes well stocked with trout and bass. About a dozen companies offer hot-air balloon rides. Spanish priests began growing grapes and making wine in the mid-17th century, and local wine production experienced a revival in the 1960s that continues to the present day.

There are now several vineyards in or near the city that offer tastings and tours. Three of New Mexico’s native American pueblos are in the Albuquerque vicinity. Hand crafted pottery, arts and crafts, and fresh baked goods are offered at the markets within the pueblos. Albuquerque combines a unique blend of multi-culturalism, natural beauty, treasured historic attractions, spectacular climate (with four distinct, though temperate, seasons), museums, galleries, fine food, and great shopping. The city offers a variety of dining options ranging from restaurants and cafes with a quaint and casual atmosphere to the elegant ambiance of fine dining.

Spend an unforgettable holiday in a land rich with the blend of Native American, Mexican, Spanish and Western cultural traditions. Visit and experience Albuquerque.

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