Thanksgiving Weekend in Ruidoso
Thanksgiving in Ruidoso is ideal if you’re looking for the perfect mountain town getaway packed with the best of the outdoors, indoors, and everything in between.
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Thanksgiving in Ruidoso is ideal if you’re looking for the perfect mountain town getaway packed with the best of the outdoors, indoors, and everything in between.
Celebrate Christmas at the Flying J Ranch with special White Mountain Christmas winter performances from late November thru the end of December 2022! BOOK NOW for the following performance dates:
Put on your running shoes for the 5K Ruidoso Turkey Trot, an annual fun Run-Walk on the Links Trail to support the Lincoln County Food Bank. This is the final race of the Run Ruidoso 2024 season. $20 registration fee via Civic Rec (under the Activities & Programs tab)
Shop local and spend less at this annual holiday event featuring the work of talented local artisans and vendors.
Celebrate the start of the Christmas season at Inn of the Mountain Gods with a free family event. Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, and a Barnes & Noble® pop-up gift shop. Capture memories with Santa from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, then listen to the Eastern New Mexico University™ choir's carol performance at 6:15 pm. The event concludes with a festive Christmas tree lighting at 7:00 pm. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Celebrate the season with This Is Christmas by Mary MacDonald, presented by the Lincoln County Choir. This free Christmas concert features three performances: December 1st at Corona Presbyterian Church, December 8th at Carrizozo Methodist Church, and December 15th at Capitan Methodist Church, all at 3:00 pm. For details, contact Scott Shafer at 575-648-2142 or Sherrill Bradford at 575-849-1633.
Kick off the Christmas season while viewing the beautiful Christmas lights put up by the Parks and Recreation Department at Wingfield Park on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM. There will be pictures with Santa, cookies, Christmas carols, and much more.
Join the 6th Annual Win Place & Show Bourbon Auction on December 7, 2024! Enjoy a flight of 3 hand-selected bourbons, crafted appetizers by Chef Mashon Swenor, and exclusive auction offerings. Space is limited—reserve now! Call Mike at 505-330-3578 or email wpsruidoso@gmail.com. Visit winplaceandshowbar.com for updates. Don’t miss this spirited event!
Join Santa Paws on December 7, 12–3 pm, for holiday pet photos with Santa by photographer Sarah Matula. A $20 donation is suggested, with proceeds supporting homeless animals. Help make a difference while creating festive memories!
Ruidoso’s beloved Festival of Lights Parade brings friends and family together for an evening of twinkling lights and togetherness in the winter wonderland of Ruidoso.
Celebrate the season with This Is Christmas by Mary MacDonald, presented by the Lincoln County Choir. This free Christmas concert features three performances: December 1st at Corona Presbyterian Church, December 8th at Carrizozo Methodist Church, and December 15th at Capitan Methodist Church, all at 3:00 pm. For details, contact Scott Shafer at 575-648-2142 or Sherrill Bradford at 575-849-1633.
Join Downshift Brewing Company for the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 8th at 4 PM! Enjoy live music by the ENMU choir, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, cookie decorating, drink specials, and more. This free, family-friendly event at Riverside is open to the public—don’t miss a festive evening for all ages!
Celebrate the season at the Holiday Market on December 14-15, 2024, from 11 AM to 5 PM at Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery in Alto, NM. Enjoy live music and festive treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate, and shop for unique gifts from local vendors. Don’t miss Santa, available for photos from 12-4 PM. It’s the perfect place to find special holiday treasures.
Don’t miss the annual Ruidoso Parks & Recreation Christmas Drone Show and a Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Sports Complex on December 14, 2024. Come at 6:00 for a Drive-In showing of "Fred Clause” followed by a spectacular holiday Drone light show. This is a FREE public event. See you there!
Celebrate the season with This Is Christmas by Mary MacDonald, presented by the Lincoln County Choir. This free Christmas concert features three performances: December 1st at Corona Presbyterian Church, December 8th at Carrizozo Methodist Church, and December 15th at Capitan Methodist Church, all at 3:00 pm. For details, contact Scott Shafer at 575-648-2142 or Sherrill Bradford at 575-849-1633.
STARRING THE RUIDOSO ACADEMY OF BALLET AND DANCE. A cast of 70 outstanding dancers will transform Tchaikovsky's world-famous musical score into a brilliant visual dreamscape with spectacular sets & costumes that bring battling mice, toy soldiers & dazzling Snowflake Fairies to life! This opulent coming-of-age journey is a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family! BUY TICKETS Saturday, December 21 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, December, 22 at 2 pm. • $39
Ruidoso is the perfect place to ring in the New Year. Wine, dine and dance the night away with a New Year's Eve celebration. Check out our summary of Ruidoso New Year events with options for every budget.
Don't miss the opportunity to embrace the spirit of giving and create lasting memories at this heartwarming and festive annual fundraiser event for Lincoln County Santa's Helpers. Enjoy musical performances, savor delicious hors d'oeuvres, and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit. Your generous contributions will help make the holiday season brighter for families in need.
Embrace the season and join the Ruidoso Valley Greeters for a timeless and treasured tradition, the Christmas Jubilee, at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Admission is only $5.00 and active military members are free. Learn more at RuidosoChristmasJubilee.com
Don't miss this lively annual community Day of the Dead celebration in Lincoln, NM. Come and join the fun with live music, dance, family activities, face painting, altar offerings, arts and crafts, and food and drink. This community event is free to the public.
Did zombody say party? JoinDownshift Hidden Tap on Friday, November 1st from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM for a Zombie themed thriller night. You can look forward to music by DJ Big Daddy, various costume contests and scary good drink specials. This event is 21+. Buy Tickets >>
Get ready for a hauntingly good time at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside on October 30th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. You can look forward to live music, the best kids costume contest, the best group costume contest, pumpkin carving, scary good drink specials, and more. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable Family Fright Night!
Bring the kids to Midtown for safe Trick-or-Treating and fun Halloween events. There will be fun for the whole family with candy and a costume contest for children 17 and younger. Plus, pumpkin carving, pumpkin roll, coffin race, candy, and much more. See you there!
Join Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery on Sunday, October 27, for a spooktacular Halloween Party from 11 AM to 10 PM. Enjoy an all-day artisan market, pumpkin carving, and Trunk or Treat from 2 PM to 4 PM. A costume contest will take place at 4:30 PM, with live music throughout the day. Bring the family for a fun-filled Halloween celebration with food, drinks, and festive activities!
Due to regional wildfires, the Fourth of July celebration has been canceled.
Eight rodeos in four days! The nation’s largest open rodeo weekend includes four nightly rodeos, a two-day ranch rodeo, a youth ranch rodeo, a kid’s rough stock rodeo, a cook-off, kids’ events, and nightly dances. On July 4th, enjoy a full day of Independence celebration with a campfire Dutch oven competition, mutton bustin’, steer riding, evening rodeo, live music, and dance. You don’t want to miss this annual 4th of July celebration! smokeybearstampede.com
Spend some quality time with Dad and experience the thrill of race day together at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.
Ruidoso’s unique attraction, the Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake, opens for the summer season on May 25, 2024. The floating, inflatable platform is perfect for family fun, birthday parties, and special events. Come out for the day or purchase a season pass with swimming, boating, fishing, disc golf, and more available at Grindstone Lake, in the heart of Ruidoso.
Guests are invited to join the festivities on March 31st, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM MDT for an egg-citing Easter Egg Hunt starting at noon! Live music from Delaney and Valorie will entertain from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, while guests can also indulge in our fabulous mimosa bar. Hop on over and make memories at Enchanted Vine Barn!
Come out and join Ruidoso Parks and Recreation for their annual Bunny Walk/Run and Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Cedar Creek, the second of six races in the Run Ruidoso 2024 series. This year the Easter Bunny will leave treats for the runners to collect in their race bags. The registration fee is $30. Register Online Today! (Under the Activities & Programs tab)
This unique and enchanting production seamlessly weaves together the worlds of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and the timeless charm of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a magical holiday tradition. Bring your family, friends, and loved ones for an evening of entertainment, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Book your tickets now >>
ENMU-Ruidoso Community Choir presents "Sounds of the Season," a holiday concert on December 10, 2023, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. featuring songs such as "Carol of the Bells," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "White Christmas," "Jingle Bell Rock" and much more, including a sing-along for the audience!
Bring your family and friends for an evening filled with warmth, wonder, and the spirit of the holidays. Join the Lincoln Fire Department for an unforgettable celebration of the season at their Annual Live Nativity event starting at 5:30 p.m. on December 9, 2023. Music by Walt & Sherry Evans. Refreshments by the Friends of Historic Lincoln.
Have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 9, 2023, in the Luna House of Historic Lincoln. Child $10, includes multiple digital photos. Buy tickets >>
Come out for a jolly good time at Downshift Brewing Company's Riverside location on December 3, 2023, at 4 PM for their first annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Look forward to sugar cookie decorating, festive drink specials, live holiday music by the ENMU Choir, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and helpers!
Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by Ruidoso area residents. Download the Ruidoso mobile app for iOS and Android today and help choose the winners of the 2023 Best Ruidoso Holiday Lights Displays challenge. Don't miss the fun!
Watch the Parade of lights from a perfect viewing position on the patio at Tall Pines Beer and Wine Garden. There will be mulled wine, hot toddies, hot chocolate, coffee, wine, and beer.
Enjoy Ruidoso’s first-class tubing area, Ruidoso Winter Park, with twists, turns, bumps, jumps, and bobsled curves and tubing fun for the entire family. Winter season opening is scheduled for Thanksgiving day on November 23, 2023. Book your adventure now >>
Canyon Hideaway and Escape is hosting its third annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration. This is a FREE event for the public from 3-6 p.m. on October 28th! There will be a hayride, trunk or treat, fall games, an outdoor movie, and more! This is a FREE event. Availability will be limited and controlled based on the hayride from the parking lot to the campground. Call 575-937-2723.
Come party and celebrate Independence Day weekend on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery. There will be a food truck, wine, beer, cider, vendors, and live music all day. Learn more >>
Visitors will be offered a rare opportunity to witness the coming of age ceremony of Mescalero Apache maidens during this annual event. Ceremonial dances, rodeo, arts and crafts, and ceremonial parade are all part of the annual Mescalero Ceremonial and Rodeo held at the Mescalero Apache reservation over the July 4th holiday.
Grab your basket and head over to Riverside Park in Ruidoso Downs for the annual Beautification Easter Egg Hunt with an appearance by the Easter Bunny—prizes. and a fire truck. After the egg hunt, stay for a bring-your-own picnic and enjoy the fun! Questions? Visit ruidosodowns.us/
Don't miss this Spring Break Blues & BBQ party at Enchanted Vine in Alto with Jhett Black along with Ronnie & The Redwoods! All ages are welcome. Tickets are available online and at the door. BBQ is separate from admission.
CHRISTMAS EVE in Lincoln, NM. Each year friends, neighbors, and families gather to prepare, place, and light luminarias throughout the village. Visitors are welcome. 5:00-6:30 PM Pictures with Santa at the Community Church. 6:30 PM - Non-Denominational Church Service in Community Church.
Join Foxworth-Galbraith Home Improvement Center for a Santa's Workshop event on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM! Enjoy free kids’ workshop activities, family holiday pictures, and unbelievable savings.
Don’t miss a weekend of fun on December 10 and 11, 2022, at Enchanted Vine Barn for their Annual Jingle & Mingle Holiday Pop-Up! There will be live music, mulled wine, food, and lots of fun!
Join The Attic for a day of Christmas fun with all The Attic merchants and vendors for gift shopping, pictures with Santa, kids coloring contests, free hotdogs/hamburgers, cookie decorating, music, games, and more.