2021 Annual Events –
Although Visit Las Cruces strives to maintain the most up-to-date event information, several annual events have been/may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19. Anyone planning to attend any event(s) listed should contact the event organizer(s) prior to attending any event(s).
February TBA – Annual for the Love of Art Month, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Art Exhibits throughout the City of Las Cruces and Old Mesilla Plaza. Which includes book vendors, storytelling, and children’s parade highlight week’s events. www.artformsnm.org
February or March TBA – Las Cruces International Film Festival, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces International Film Festival features the best of the best in independent cinema, workshops, panels, celebrity appearances and VIP parties. www.lascrucescvb.org/las-cruces-international-film-festival/
March TBA – Cowboy Days, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nothing Says the Old West like the cowboy, and the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum honors the western legend with a weekend festival complete with roping and riding demonstrations, “cowboy food,” dancing, and cowboy poetry. New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. (575) 522-4100. www.frhm.org
April – Annual Bataan Death March, White Sands Missile Range/Las Cruces, New Mexico
Marchers will be able to participate anytime between April 9 and April 18, 2021. The decision by White Sands Missile Range to host the event virtually allows leadership to keep COVID19 safety the top priority for participants, volunteers, staff and community supporters. It also gives participants the flexibility to choose a date and route that works best for them, while honoring the memory of World War II heroes. On April 9, 1942 tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces and were forced to march more than 60 miles in the scorching heat though the Philippine jungles.
The March officially kicks off on April 9, 2021, and participants may choose any day between April 9 and April 18, 2021 to complete their mileage. The March must be completed in one day. Returning marchers will find they will only need to select their distance for the 2021 March, as multiple categories are not necessary in a virtual environment. Event organizers still encourage participants to march in their own way, to include in uniform or with a “ruck” if desired and safe. The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives. (575) 678-1134. Please go online to register and for more information. www.bataanmarch.com
April TBA – Trinity Site Tour, North of Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Trinity site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion on earth. White Sands Missile Range. (575) 678-1134. www.wsmr.army.mil
April TBA – The Las Cruces Space Festival, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Las Cruces Space Festival is an annual celebration of space-related activity and interest in southern New Mexico and beyond. Various locations in & around Las Cruces. https://lcspacefestival.com/
April TBA – La Viña Spring Festival, La Union near Las Cruces, New Mexico
A weekend of good music and good wine hosted by New Mexico’s oldest winery. La Viña Winery, La Union. (575) 882-7632. http://lavinawinery.com/
May TBA – Annual Blazin’ Brew Fest, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The New Mexico Brewer’s Guild returns for the Annual Blazin Brew Fest! Each guest receives souvenir pint glass and samples from New Mexico Breweries. Live Music, Las Cruces Food Trucks, Games and Home Brewing Demonstrations. Full pints and package beer also available. 5 – 9 pm. $20 at the door, $15 for Early Bird tickets available at Las Cruces Breweries and at nmbeer.org Tickets and more information are available online at www.nmbeer.org
May TBA – Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, Old Mesilla near Las Cruces, New Mexico
A traditional Mexican fiesta honoring Mexico’s second revolution. Experience traditional Mexican music, food and dancing on the historic Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 524-3262. www.mesillanm.gov/mesilla-visiting/calendar-of-events.html
May TBA – Las Cruces Wine Festival, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Visitors can sample wine from the many New Mexico wineries as well as enjoy live entertainment and local vendors. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. www.snmwinefestival.com/ or www.nmwine.com/
May TBA – City Fest Festival Downtown Plaza
Music and family fun for the whole family.
July TBA – Annual 4th of July Electric Light Parade, Celebration and Fireworks, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Las Cruces celebrates with a parade of floats decorated with electric lights. Experience live entertainment throughout the day plus a spectacular firework display at night. All events are free and open to the public. (575) 528-3170, (575) 541-2200. www.las-cruces.org
August/September – SalsaFest, Las Cruces, New Mexico
This year’s event is shaping up to be more exciting than ever with live music, a catered outdoor dining experience, salsa dancing classes, live performances and music, a kid tent, and great food vendors and, of course, our salsa making competition! Downtown Main Street. Main Street Office, 138 S. Water. 575-525-1955. downtownlascruces.org/las-cruces-salsa-fest/
September TBA – Hatch Chile Festival, Hatch, New Mexico
The Mesilla Valley is the chile capital of the world, and what better way to celebrate than with a chile festival. Sample some of the finest chile while you enjoy food, crafts, an auction, live music and more. Hatch. (575) 267-1095, 575-993-9393. www.hatchchilefest.com
September TBA – Las Cruces Wine Harvest Festival, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Celebrate New Mexico’s wine harvest with grape stomping, wine tasting, and live entertainment. Festival features arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, hourly wine seminars and a great relaxed atmosphere. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west on I-10 exit 132. 12 noon – 6 pm each day $20-65 adults 21 and older, under 21 free but must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. www.nmwine.com
September TBA – Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta, Old Mesilla, near Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mexican Independence Day! Join the village of Mesilla as they commemorate Mexico’s independence. Be sure to catch folklorico dances, mariachi music, and authentic Mexican cuisine and have a really good time. Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 524-3262. www.mesillanm.gov/mesilla-visiting/calendar-of-events.html
September TBA – White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational, White Sands, New Mexico, east of Las Cruces, New Mexico
A collection of colorful balloons filling the air over the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park. (575) 437-6120, 800-826-0294, www.alamogordo.com
September TBA – October TBA – Mesilla Valley Maze, Las Cruces, New Mexico
It’s the most fun you can have in a corn field. Bring the kids and those that are “kids at heart” to the rural fun of the Mesilla Valley Maze. Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to look for the perfect Jack-O-Lantern, then discover the many twists and turns amazingly cut into a corn field. Saturdays and Sundays. 3855 West Picacho Avenue. (575) 526-1919. www.mesillavalleymaze.com
September TBA – October TBA – Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo, Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Southern New Mexico State Fair has something for everyone; a midway, an auction, food, music, livestock shows and a cowboy rodeo. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. (575) 524-8602. www.snmstatefair.com
October TBA – Mesilla Jazz Happening, Old Mesilla, near Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mesilla Valley Jazz Happening will be swinging into historic Old Mesilla at the Mercado Plaza and on the Historic Plaza. The Plazas will host free live jazz music at two venues. Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 526-2620. www.mesillanm.gov/mesilla-visiting/calendar-of-events.html
October TBA – Trinity Site Tour, north of Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Trinity site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion on earth. White Sands Missile Range. (575) 678-1134. www.wsmr.army.mil
October TBA – La Viña Harvest Wine Festival, La Union, south of Las Cruces, New Mexico
This festival is the oldest wine festival in New Mexico and features food, entertainment and of course, wine produced by New Mexico’s oldest winery. La Viña Winery, La Union. (575) 882-7632. www.nmwine.com
October TBA – November TBA – Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, Mesilla, New Mexico
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with lots of music and food. Join the candlelight procession as the dead are remembered. Homemade altars are on display and a giant piñata is broken open. Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 524-3262 ex. 116. www.mesillanm.gov/mesilla-visiting/calendar-of-events.html
November TBA – Renaissance ArtsFaire, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Spend a weekend with Kings and Queens at the 36th Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire. Local, state, and regional artisans gather to participate in a juried art show and exhibition. Only the highest quality arts & crafts are for sale accompanied by live theater, dancing, music and food, all presented with a Renaissance theme. Young Park. (575) 523-6403. http://daarts.org
November TBA – Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference Student Showcase, Concert and Mariachi Mass Spectacular concert featuring known mariachi performers. If you are a student and would like to participate in the workshops please call 575-525-1735 or visit our website to watch for a registration date for on-line registration at www.lascrucesmariachi.org or call for admission. 575-525-1735. www.lascrucesmariachi.org
November TBA – HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market
This second-annual event showcases foods and food products grown and produced in New Mexico. As the holiday shopping season arrives, visitors are invited to come and purchase the best that New Mexico has to offer. The event is a partnership between the Museum and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture as more than 50 vendors from around the state will be here. Call (575) 522-4100 for more information. Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road. www.frhm.org
December TBA – Christmas in Cruces
Come have fun with your family and enjoy some hot chocolate with Santa. Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 S. Main Street. Time: TBA. Free. 575-541-2444. www.VisitLasCruces.com
December TBA – Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza, Old Mesilla, near Las Cruces, New Mexico
The historic village of Old Mesilla is aglow with thousands of luminarias and caroling. (575) 524-3262. www.mesillanm.gov/mesilla-visiting/calendar-of-events.html
