Thanksgiving always brings an opportunity to take a deep breath and be thankful for the wonders of the year. Here in Santa Fe, we are grateful for the scenic beauty of our mountains and the many unique experiences. From dining in our world-class restaurants to the festivities on the Plaza to the kickoff of the holiday season, Santa Fe is filled with fun. Discover what you can do during the Thanksgiving weekend in The City Different. You'll be thankful you did.

 

Let Our Santa Fe Chefs Do the Cooking


Take a cue from the locals, and let our world-renowned chefs turn your Thanksgiving into an epicurean feast. A first-class group of extremely talented and well-known Santa Fe chefs are preparing very special Thanksgiving feasts to satisfy everyone in your party! Here are a few of our restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving Day—Santacafe, Sassella, The Compound, Coyote Cafe, Dinner for Two, and SkyFire at Bishop's Lodge.

Ski the Santa Fe Way

(Photo courtesy of Ski Santa Fe)(Photo courtesy of Ski Santa Fe)

Did you know you’ll find one the best places to ski and snowboard in the Southwest right here in the Santa Fe? Ski Santa Fe is located high above The City Different, just 16 miles from the Plaza in the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest.


Weather permitting, Ski Santa Fe opens Thanksgiving day and has a wonderful range of terrain, from isolated beginner slopes to lots of cruisers, some long bump runs, great glades and tree runs, and even a few short chutes and small bowls. The ski area benefits from its 12,075 foot summit, 1,725 vertical drop, 77 trails, and 225 inches of average annual snowfall. Even when the mountain is loaded with snow, the City is merely dusted and there's always that gorgeous light shining through. Another reason to be grateful! Ski Santa Fe's season runs through early spring.

A Different Kind of Soaking

Ojo_Santa_Fe_Couple_SoakingA couple soaking at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

Warm up and relax at one of Santa Fe's award-winning soaking spas. Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa Resort earned ranked #2 on the 2022 World's Best Awards list of the "15 Best Destination Spas in the U.S." and enjoyed more accolades, along with Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards list of "Top Spa Resorts in the United States." Ojo's sister spa, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa Resort, a short and scenic one hour drive north from Santa Fe, is also a splendid option. At all three resorts, enjoy a variety of relaxing and invigorating treatments, delicious cuisine, and a tranquil environment. Plan ahead to chill out as these spots are popular. 

Shopping for a Special Someone?

Shopping for the Holidays
Looking for authentic Native jewelry? You'll find it in Santa Fe.

Don’t forget to bring your appetite for shopping with you. You’ll want to begin your search for that elusive holiday “something” here in The City Different. See for yourself why Sunset Magazine named Santa Fe the #1 Shopping Destination. Find beautiful handmade items in our boutiques and trading posts.


Or get your holiday shopping done all weekend long at the Traditional Spanish Market Artist Show (November 26 & 27), where 100 adult and youth artists, who to carry on the traditional work of Spanish Colonial New Mexico, feature their handmade, museum-quality works in a variety of media—including santos, precious metals jewelry, weaving, ironwork, woodcarvings, straw appliqué, pottery, tinwork, furniture and more. Also enjoy artist demonstrations, traditional New Mexican music, entertainment, and food.

Spanish-Colonial-Artwork-1024x685

Kick Off the Holiday Season in Santa Fe Style

The Santa Fe plaza is transformed into a world of holiday light wonder. (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)The Santa Fe plaza is transformed into a world of holiday light and wonder. (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)

The official start of the Christmas holiday season begins in The City Different the day after Thanksgiving when, by a flick of a switch around 6:15 pm, the historic Santa Fe Plaza is aglow with lights. Stay warm with hot chocolate, cookies, and food trucks as you immerse yourself in pleasantly chilly holiday décor. Throughout the event, enjoy musical entertainment and caroling. There will also be entertainment throughout the evening. Though the Mayor of Santa Fe will be there to usher in the holiday fun, it’s that annual arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus via vintage fire truck that creates the excitement.

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.