Spring warmth has taken hold, flowers are in bloom across The City Different, and the calendar is filled with special events—it must be May in Santa Fe! Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start to summer—is near and now is the time to begin planning a getaway to Santa Fe. Here are 10 May events in Santa Fe to include in your vacation plans.
Native Fashion Weeks, May 7–11
In its second year, SWAIA Native Fashion Week is partnering with longstanding Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week to celebrate Indigenous designers featuring their work at runway shows, pop-shops, parties, and a fashion symposium. SNFW aims to make Santa Fe the premier destination for Indigenous fashion by providing a platform to showcase the creative and innovative talent of designers and fashion artists from across North America.
In its first year, Native Fashion Week Santa Fe ((May 8–11) launches in locations around the Railyard Arts District, helmed by fashionista Amber Dawn Bear Robe, the name behind all Indigenous fashion events in Santa Fe over the last 12 years. With a new and veteran lineup of Indigenous designers and creatives, such as Orlando Dugi, Jennifer Lamont, and Penny Singer expect runway excitement, films, panels, after parties, trunk show, mixers, music, and more, held at various sites throughout the Railyard District.
The Santa Fe Margarita Trail Turns 9 on May 5!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the 9th anniversary of the Santa Fe Margarita Trail on Monday, May 5 at your choice of 50 participating restaurants and bars, offering a participating margarita, on the trail! For ease and excitement, use the Santa Fe Margarita Trail app, available on Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iPhone). The app includes an interactive map, tracks your collection of virtual stamps, and sends notifications of progress towards earning rewards. Similar to the original paper Passport, which you can pick up at all Santa Fe Visitors Centers, the app provides Margarita Trail participating location descriptions, the recipe for each featured margarita, and a $1 discount (BONUS!) on each margarita purchased. And check out the following bennies. This is a club you want to join!
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5 Stamps = Margarita Trail T-shirt
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10 Stamps = Provisional Member to the Margarita Society for 1 year
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15 Stamps = Full Member to the Margarita Society (invitations to special events, seminars, tastings)
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20 Stamps = Signed copy of Recipes for Margarita Cocktails
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30 Stamps = Margarita Bartender Kit
For some great background, read our blog, Fascinating Tequila and Margarita Origin Stories or check out the Top 8 Spots on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail.
12th Annual Canyon Road Spring Art Festival, May 10
The Canyon Road gallery scene comes alive on Saturday, May 10 for the Canyon Road Spring Art Festival, as dozens of artists display their work and demonstrate their techniques in every imaginable medium as a part of a “paint out” or demonstration-style event on the iconic art road. Collectors will have the rare opportunity to meet artists and ask questions during a daylong festival. Individual galleries feature rich programs of complimentary special events, art tours, artist demonstrations, and more at myriad locations along the road.
Santa Fe International Literary Festival, May 16–18
World-renowned authors and thinkers join passionate readers at the 4th annual Santa Fe International Literary Festival, May 16–18, to create meaning and embrace community and explore issues at a time of extraordinary change—in politics, race, immigration, the environment, and more—as well as simply escape into great stories.
The lineup is literally full of literati: Michael Pollan, Amy Tan, Terry Tempest Williams, Michael Cunningham, Heather Cox Richardson, Miranda July, and more!
Join for the entire weekend, which includes large and small lectures and conversations, tastings with celebrated culinary folk, evening receptions, live music, walks & talks, and more. Kickoff is Friday evening, with National Book Award winner, Pulitzer Prize finalist Percival Everett.
Santa Fe Century, May 16–18
Do you love distance riding and the camaraderie of fellow cycling enthusiasts and fans? Then plan your visit during one of the most popular cycling events in Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Century, May 16–18. Riders of all ages and abilities are invited to participate along a variety of routes, ranging from 20 to 106 miles, both Saturday and Sunday, that include the historic Turquoise Trail and the old mining towns of Madrid and Golden, as well as terrain with striking scenery, including the Ortiz Mountains, the Galisteo Basin, and Rowe Mesa. There's truly something for everyone, including kids, with timed and untimed rides on gravel and road terrain. Did we mention outstanding food stops along the way? The start and finish is at the ever-popular and convenient Railyard Park.
Native Elements Art Festival & Market, May 21–26
A celebration of Native land, plants, and people, the Native Elements Art Festival + Market replaces the long-standing Native Treasures Market and kicks off to the 2025 Santa Fe art season. The celebration begins May 21 with a Grand Opening Celebration at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden with music, food, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and a chance to mingle with featured artists. The recipient of the newly established “Native Elements Distinguished Achievement Award” will be announced that evening. After a reception and VIP Market on Friday, May 23rd, the event continues Saturday and Sunday with the work of approximately 180 Native artists at the Community Convention Center.
Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild, May 24–26
(Photo courtesy Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild)
The Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild juried show, celebrating 25 years, takes place Memorial Day weekend May 24–26. Artists and craftspeople come from both Santa Fe and serene villages throughout our scenic countryside to sell their work in this show, including jewelry, metal, glass, painting, weaving, photography, leather, textiles, pottery, and more. It's conveniently near the historic Plaza at the leafy Cathedral Park.
New Mexico Cocktail Week, May 31–June 8
Kicking off New Mexico Cocktail Week, Cocktails & Culture Festival darling Taco Wars, where fab local chefs and equally audacious mixologists do their best work and you vote, is a hot ticket, so get yours early! There are so many more ways to pay homage to the mighty cocktail that cajoles our inner curmudgeon and tickles our perspective. Additional Santa Fe events include Cocktails & Culture Festival's May 31 and June 1 events!
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