No matter the season, Santa Fe will always welcome and entertain you—it’s a true crowd pleaser of a city! Come for the unique cultural events and traditions, the signature Northern New Mexico cuisine, 320+ days of sunshine, clear, starry night skies, and so much more!
If it’s Winter in Santa Fe that's calling your name, please review our FAQs in preparation:
Q: Why is Winter the best time to visit Santa Fe?
A: Many reasons!
- You can enjoy the chilly beauty—more refreshing than cold—with brisk walks around the colorfully illuminated Plaza or through the historic eastside of town, along Canyon Road, replete with 100+ galleries. And then as the daylight wanes, wind down with a late afternoon beverage by a roaring fire, compliments of many cozy bars.
- Santa Fe moves at a slower pace, even though the end-of-the-year holidays tend to attract crowds in search of a destination celebration, and the two long weekends in January and February draw an eager group of regional travelers in search of great powder skiing and short lift lines,
- Our snow is as different as The City Different. It's fluffy, sparkly, and exceedingly photogenic for perfect selfies!
- Local retail, restaurant, and gallery owners are so happy to welcome you into their establishments during what might be considered “offseason,” and yet, that reference really does not describe The City Different at any time as we are excited and ready to host visitors all year round!
Q: What’s the weather like during a Santa Fe Winter?
A: To say that The City Different experiences average highs in the high 40s and average lows in the mid 20s just does not convey how exemplary Santa Fe’s Winter weather truly is. Winter in The City Different is the kind of Winter you wish for. Here's why:
- It’s a dry cold, meaning there’s low humidity, so the “feels like temp” is actually quite nice!
- With 320+ days of sunshine a year, many of those during the winter season, you can easily find direct sunlight to warm your core.
- The dusting of snow downtown is like a costumed reminder of the season, but rarely a nuisance, and the fluffy inches of it that grace the mountains and Ski Santa Fe resort are an invitation to gear up and go play with your sled, skis, snowshoes, or snowboard!
Q: What do people do for fun in the Winter?
The work of Virgil Ortiz at New Mexico Museum of Art's Vladem Contemporary in the Shadow and Light exhibition
A: There's so much to do, you'll have to plan a second visit.
- Many take advantage of our mild, yet snowy winters! In fact, here are Five Winter Adventures that Might Surprise You When Visiting Santa Fe.
- Others come in from the chill to enjoy our world-class performing arts and, in particular, the robust seasons of our classical, orchestral, and chamber music offerings in stately, historic, and elegant venues. To that end, if February 9–19 are your dates, don’t miss the 2nd annual Art + Sol Winter Performing Arts Festival.
- Still others love our long-running crowd-pleaser and Santa Fe Restaurant Week (February 19–29).
- It’s also a great time of year to visit our 20+ museums—a $30 CulturePass permits you into five Santa Fe museums, including the recently opened New Mexico Museum of Art, Vladem Contemporary.
- During the holiday season, embrace a host of traditions—among them, the beloved and spirited Canyon Road Farolito Walk on Christmas Eve, the Pueblo dances, and the New Year’s Eve Celebration on the Plaza. That festive scent in the air is burning piñon logs!
Q: What should I do regardless of the season?
A: Enjoy our cuisine!
- Reservations are a bit easier to come by in the winter months, so peruse our restaurant section and make some dinner plans. Or check out our Santa Fe Dining Guide, where you can get a good look at various menus before making your selection.
- Take a cooking class! Local businesses Las Cosas Cooking School and Santa Fe School of Cooking offer world-class opportunities to hone your culinary craft.
- Hop on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail, where you can taste up to 50 special tequila-based cocktails from The City Different’s most popular bars and restaurants. Get inspired with our latest video and get yourself a Passport at any Visitors Center to start logging those sips or download the app today! National Margarita Day is February 22—just sayin'!
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.
