In August, Santa Fe continues to celebrate not only its heritage, but its values of artistic expression, inclusivity, and diversity. As you weave your way through several traditions important to the cultural fabric, you will be constantly reminded of the majestic and enriched beauty of The City Different. Here are several can't-miss events!
6th Annual Santa Fe Beer and Food Festival
August 10 & 11, 2024
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Just a 20-minute drive, Santa Fe's living history museum, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, hosts yet another enriching community event on its 200-acre property, once an official paraje or rest stop for travelers on the Camino Real. At the 2-day Santa Fe Beer and Food Festival, taste local eats and brews, and experience music and fun for the whole family.
Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show
August 9–12, 2024
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
Set in the beautiful LEED-certified Santa Fe Community Convention Center is a collection of American Indian and international tribal art not found anywhere else in the world at the Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show (August 9–12), a Santa Fe tradition for more than 45 years. Handpicked by more than 95 experts, discover paintings, sculpture, fine art, furniture, fashion, jewelry, textiles, and tribal, folk, American Indian, African, and Asian art from around the world. You are bound to leave with something very unique!
Santa Fe Indian Market Weekend
August 16–18, 2024
Historic Plaza, Santa Fe Community Convention Center, Railyard Park
At the 102nd Annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and most prestigious juried intertribal fine art market in the world, celebrate Native arts and culture for five straight days. One thousand of the “best of the best” Native artists from 200 Nations in the US and Canada come to Santa Fe to showcase their art in 10 juried mediums, including pottery, basketry, jewelry, painting, sculpture, wood carvings, and textiles. Plan to attend the Saturday and Sunday markets (free entry) on the Plaza to meet the artists, shop, and enjoy the free live entertainment. Also consider attending other events, some of which are ticketed—the Best of Show Ceremony & Luncheon, sneak peeks, a Gala, a live auction, art previews, panels, live performances, and more. Our 9 Must-Have Experiences blog outlines what to do and our Indigenous Fashion blog offers history on the ever-popular Indigenous Fashion Show, celebrating its 11th year! Another exciting happening is the Free Indian Market, showcasing nearly 600 Native artists in grassy Federal Park. Also consider the IndigenousWays Festival, showcasing legendary Indigenous performers, including a cappella groups, storytellers, and fashion designers at the Railyard Park from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, August 16. Workshops and activities, too.
32nd Annual Zia Regional Rodeo
August 24 & 25, 2024
Rodeo de Santa Fe Grounds
The New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association, whose mission is to foster the western lifestyle within the gay community, celebrates more than 30 years of gay rodeo in New Mexico with exciting animal-friendly breakaway calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, flag race, pole bending, steer riding, and other rough stock events. Also, there's the highly entertaining, hilarious, and unpredictable Wild Drag Race (wigs, dresses, an uncooperative steer), which you have to see to believe! Cowgirls and cowboys compete in the same events! Come on out to the Zia Regional Rodeo, the second-largest LGBTQ event in Santa Fe and a great fundraiser for many state charitable organizations!
Shakespeare in the Garden & Sunset Concert Series
Throughout August 2024
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Through Sunday, August 18, you'll have the opportunity to see Twelfth Night or What You Will during Shakespeare in the Garden, Thursdays to Sundays. Produced by Santa Fe Classic Theater, this production is even more lively performed in the Ojos y Manos: Eyes and Hands amphitheater. And the Sunset Concert Series continues with two August evenings, featuring Vicente Griego and David Starr. Tickets are required for both series. Consider arriving in advance to walk the gardens and/or enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
Santa Fe Summer Scene
Through August 29, 2024
Venues throughout Santa Fe
Shiny Ribs at SWAN Park (Photo by Adrift A Dream Photography)
FREE music and movies continue through the entire month of August! Lensic 360 presents Santa Fe Summer Scene 2024! The outdoor concerts—ranging from rock and country, to Native American and jazz, to mariachi and folk—are absolutely free for all to enjoy at Santa Fe Plaza, Railyard Plaza, SWAN Park, and Reunity Resources through August 28. And the free flicks, shown at the grassy Railyard and SWAN parks, light up the evenings!
More Music: Chamber Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Performance Santa Fe
through August 2024
Venues throughout Santa Fe
Photo credit: Curtis Brown Photography
Come on out for the 51st season of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, where you'll hear the likes of Handel, Dvorak, Bartók, and Mahler performed by distinguished musicians and emerging talent through August 19. And through August 24, celebrate the 67th season of the Santa Fe Opera, one of America’s premier opera festivals. With five new productions (La Traviata, Don Giovanni, The Righteous, Der Rosenkavalier, and The Elixir of Love) and not a bad seat in the house, the Santa Fe Opera is a sure bet for a memorable experience in The City Different. August 4 and 11, Performance Santa Fe continues with the Festival of Song at the Scottish Rite Temple.
100TH Burning of Zozobra!
August 30, 2024
Fort Marcy Park
It's the 100th Burning of Zozobra, a unique cultural event that takes place the Friday of Labor Day weekend at the green and lush Fort Marcy Park, just steps from downtown Santa Fe. The wailing, mythical creation is the legacy of local artist Will Shuster, who could likely not have imagined that the original 6-foot effigy he burned in his backyard in 1924 would become a 50-foot marionette and an annual source of community release and rallying.
Filled with paper "glooms"—expressed regrets and fears, divorce papers, speeding tickets, photos—by young people and adults alike, Zozobra is unable to cast a spell of darkness over Santa Fe for long. You watch and groove from a spot on the Fort Marcy Park grass as he burns in a musical, ritualistic, orchestrated ceremony, and with him, all woes—until at least the following year! Read more via our blog.
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe has managed the pageantry since 1964, and the proceeds support area children's programs. More information, including tickets, merchandise, how and where to submit your gloom at Burn Zozobra.
Try your luck at winning two free tickets to the 100th Burning of Zozobra by taking our fun quiz that gives you just a bit of history of Old Man Gloom and illuminates the version with which you most vibe!
312TH Fiesta de Santa Fe
August 31–September 8, 2024
Historic Plaza
If there’s one tradition that captures the spirit of Santa Fe, it’s the annual celebration, Fiesta de Santa Fe. This event is the longest continuously running celebration in the US! With the Burning of Zozobra, the Mariachi Extravaganza, concerts, culturally rich music performances and food booths, beloved and time-honored parades—Desfile de Los Niños (aka, The Pet Parade) and Desfile de la Gente (aka Historical/Hysterical Parade)—as well as arts and crafts markets, and more, Fiesta de Santa Fe embraces The City Different's complex past and present and is a feast for all of the senses.
Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.
