As the weather heats up in Santa Fe over the summer, so do the events. Summer is when some of the most popular Santa Fe New Mexico events take place, including the famous Fiestas de Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Indian Market. Summer events like the Santa Fe Fiestas are more than just fun celebrations, though. They genuinely celebrate the diverse culture and history of this remarkable city. The annual Fiestas de Santa Fe itself is a historic celebration that dates back over 300 years, featuring traditional music, dance, and parades.
Whether you’re here to celebrate Santa Fe’s history or visit the numerous markets and Santa Fe festivals dedicated to Indigenous and folk art, summer in this vibrant city is an immersive experience into the unique confluence of cultures that makes it so special. Of course, there are far more things to do in Santa Fe than attend these festivals and events, including hiking, exploring Santa Fe museums, strolling the galleries on Canyon Road, eating out at local restaurants and food trucks, heading out to explore top destinations like Tent Rocks, Bandelier National Monument, Ghost Ranch, and so much more.
The warm months also present a perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. The diverse high desert landscape offers everything from leisurely strolls through lush gardens and quiet parks to more vigorous activities like hiking and mountain biking. All of this and more is at your fingertips when you stay with us at our top-rated Bed and Breakfast Santa Fe. There’s no place quite like our peaceful, historic Inn, nestled just steps away from the Santa Fe Capital complex. Book your stay today!
Plan Ahead for the Fiestas De Santa Fe
The Fiestas de Santa Fe (also known as the Santa Fe Fiesta) is a storied celebration steeped in history, originating more than 300 years ago in the early 18th century. The Santa Fe Fiesta celebration is one of the most popular festivals of the summer, and commemorates the peaceful reoccupation of Santa Fe by Don Diego de Vargas in 1692. The city had previously been abandoned after the Pueblo Revolt. This is an important piece of Santa Fe’s history, with the celebration evolving from a simple ceremony to a vibrant, multifaceted festival that honors the city’s diverse cultural influences.
The Fiestas de Santa Fe takes place each September and marks one of the best times of year to visit the City Different. This year’s celebration will take place from August 30 to September 7, 2025. During this exciting week, locals and visitors alike come together to participate in a historic reenactment, serving as a vivid reminder of Santa Fe’s complex past and the resulting mix of cultures present (and celebrated) in the city today.
The Santa Fe Fiestas kicks off each year with the incredibly popular burning of the Zozobra. This event takes place the night before the Fiestas de Santa Fe kicks off, which this year will be August 29. Zozobra is a giant marionette symbolizing gloom, and the destruction of this effigy symbolizes a purging of the challenges and woes of the last year, welcoming new hopes. What follows during the Fiestas de Santa Fe is a spectacle of colorful processions, traditional dances, and folk music.
The Fiestas de Santa Fe is one of the most popular Santa Fe Plaza events, and it kicks off with the Pregón de la Fiesta. Here, the city mayor and other dignitaries kick off the festivities with announcements from the balcony of the historic Palace of the Governors on the Santa Fe Plaza. This is followed by the Entrada, a dramatic reenactment of de Vargas’ peaceful reentry into the city.
The festival also includes a series of masses and processions, most notably the procession of La Conquistadora, the oldest Madonna statue in the United States. This religious procession underscores the deep spiritual roots of the event. Craft and food stalls line the streets, offering traditional New Mexican foods, fine arts and crafts, and other interesting weekend market finds. And, of course, there’s plenty of live music and entertainment throughout the Fiestas de Santa Fe. It’s easy to see why this unique celebration is one of the most popular Santa Fe festivals of the year!
Don’t Miss These Other Santa Fe Events This Summer
While the Fiestas de Santa Fe is one of the most vibrant Santa Fe events, it comes at the culmination of a fascinating series of events and festivals in Santa Fe all summer long. Summer is hot in the city, but it’s not just because of the sun. These events heat up the summer like nothing else! In fact, these unique Santa Fe events draw visitors from around the world, with a range of offerings that include traditional art fairs and innovative music performances, all of which provide a glimpse into the city’s rich historical and artistic heritage.
As you cement your summer plans, here are the top Santa Fe events to plan for this summer.
- Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. Held each July, the market is the world’s largest event of its kind, and one of the most popular Santa Fe events of the year. Artists from over 50 countries gather to display and sell their crafts.
- Santa Fe Opera. The opera season begins in June and runs through August. It is held in a venue renowned for its stunning open-air theater overlooking the high desert landscape. The performances range from classic to contemporary and are simply spectacular.
- Traditional Spanish Market. Each July, this traditional event showcases Spanish colonial art forms with hundreds of local Hispanic artists participating. It’s an opportunity to view and purchase items such as hand-carved woodwork, tinwork, and weavings, all crafted using techniques passed down through generations. There is also live music and dance that highlights the Spanish cultural influence in the region, making it one of the most loved Santa Fe events of summer.
- Santa Fe Indian Market. This market, held each August, is one of the most popular events in Santa Fe. It’s also the largest and most prestigious Native American art show in the world. It attracts thousands of artists, collectors, and enthusiasts who admire high-quality artworks, including jewelry, pottery, sculpture, textiles, paintings, and more.
- Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta. Finally, in September, join us for a food celebration that celebrates New Mexico’s unique culinary traditions. This festival attracts food and wine enthusiasts, featuring a range of wine tastings, cooking demonstrations by prominent chefs, and gourmet dinners hosted at Santa Fe’s finest restaurants. The highlight is the Grand Tasting at the Santa Fe Opera, where visitors sample exquisite dishes paired expertly with fine wines.
From the popular Fiestas de Santa Fe to any of these other Santa Fe events happening over the summer, we have an exciting and busy season in store for you. We’d love nothing more than to treat you to a quiet, fun-filled getaway in Santa Fe. Book your room at our top-rated Santa Fe Bed and Breakfast today!
