Attractions & Entertainment
 

With so many entertainment attractions and events—from musical performances and cultural festivals to fun for the whole family—there's never a dull moment in Ruidoso.

 
 

Discover Top Ruidoso Attractions

Featured
Winter Sleigh Rides in Ruidoso (Seasonal, Thanksgiving to December)
Winter Sleigh Rides in Ruidoso (Seasonal, Thanksgiving to December)

During the winter holiday season, there are sleigh rides through the historic upper canyon with Grindstone Stables. No snow is required to enjoy a crisp winter evening and the holiday decorations of Ruidoso's oldest neighborhood.

See what Ruidoso looks like in real-time
See what Ruidoso looks like in real-time

What's the weather like in Ruidoso? Check out the official Village of Ruidoso Tourism Webcams from strategic points overlooking Midtown and Grindstone Lake. View Ruidoso’s daily weather forecast and learn when is the best time to visit.

Free Things To Do This Winter In Ruidoso
Free Things To Do This Winter In Ruidoso

Snuggle in front of a fire. Build a snowman. Take a walk in the forest. Stargaze. Ruidoso embraces winter weather with plenty of no-cost activities to keep your vacation on budget. 

On Tap: Ruidoso Brewpubs & Wine Bars
On Tap: Ruidoso Brewpubs & Wine Bars

Quench your thirst for New Mexico craft beers and wines at these local hangouts

Why A Ruidoso Mountain Escape Should Be Your Next Vacation
Why A Ruidoso Mountain Escape Should Be Your Next Vacation

From dazzling night skies to snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, here are five reasons to make a Ruidoso mountain vacation your next adventure.


Six reasons to put Ruidoso in your summer 2023 travel plans
Six reasons to put Ruidoso in your summer 2023 travel plans

Even with rising travel costs, people are raring to go and eager to splurge on dining out, mementos, nicer accommodations, and longer stays. Chances are you’re feeling it too. We’ve got you covered. Here are six reasons to put Ruidoso in your 2023 summer travel plans.

Eat. Drink. Play. Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center.
Eat. Drink. Play. Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center.

With 10 bowling lanes, 4 pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, a restaurant, and a lounge for parties and events, the Ruidoso Bowling Center is a fun, year-round, family-friendly entertainment destination where everybody gets to play.

Ruidoso Winter Park: A Winter Family Favorite
Ruidoso Winter Park: A Winter Family Favorite

Go tubing at Ruidoso Winter Park. There are lanes for racing your friends and a Magic Carpet conveyor belt for an uphill ride. Adrenaline junkies can descend individually, in tandem — or for the fastest and longest ride, in group clusters in a giant tube. After your chilly thrill, retreat to a warming VIP Igloo to cozy up in with a hot drink and a snack.

Ruidoso Winter Activities Beyond the Ski Slopes
Ruidoso Winter Activities Beyond the Ski Slopes

What to do on a Ruidoso ski vacation if you don’t ski or snowboard? Just off the ski slopes, there are galleries, restaurants, and easy access to multi-use trail systems. 

Grindstone Lake: All You Need To Know
Grindstone Lake: All You Need To Know

Discover everything you need to know about Grindstone Lake, one of Ruidoso's most popular recreation areas located just minutes from downtown Ruidoso.

Join the Zero Waste Trend: 10 favorite places to second-hand shop in Ruidoso.
Join the Zero Waste Trend: 10 favorite places to second-hand shop in Ruidoso.

Buying used goods is cooler than ever, and Ruidoso retailers are right on-trend. Discover all manner of recycled and repurposed goods at these Ruidoso vintage shops and pre-owned retailers.

An Insider’s Guide to Midtown Ruidoso
An Insider’s Guide to Midtown Ruidoso

Nestled in Ruidoso’s downtown, Midtown is the village hub for dining, arts, and shopping. Stroll through Midtown and enjoy a great selection of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, wineries, brewpubs, and live music.

Top Winter Experiences in Ruidoso
Top Winter Experiences in Ruidoso

From downhill excitement at Ski Apache and the tubing runs of Winter Park Recreational Area to horse-drawn sleigh rides through Upper Canyon, here are some of our most popular winter activities.

Discover Ruidoso's Public Art Murals
Discover Ruidoso's Public Art Murals

Midtown is more colorful than ever. Grab a selfie in front of Ruidoso’s Instagrammable public murals brought to you by local artists and the Ruidoso Midtown Association.

Ruidoso for Adrenaline Junkies
Ruidoso for Adrenaline Junkies

Looking for thrills and spills on your Ruidoso adventure? Let loose on one of these action-packed activities.

Go off-road and explore with Backcountry Attitudes on an OHV adventure tour.
Go off-road and explore with Backcountry Attitudes on an OHV adventure tour.

Ruidoso’s first off-road adventure specialist, Backcountry Attitudes, provides 4×4 off-roading adventures through scenic wilderness and mountain terrain for a unique backcountry adventure.

RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride in Ruidoso
RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride in Ruidoso

Climb Sierra Blanca, hike through alpine meadows, alongside the Rio Ruidoso, explore a forest on horseback? You decide! Thanks to over a million acres of National Forest and wilderness areas, virtually every corner of Ruidoso is waiting to be discovered. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails are plentiful.

Day Trips from Ruidoso: Discover nearby towns and attractions
Day Trips from Ruidoso: Discover nearby towns and attractions

To get a quick taste of the diverse landscapes that surround our mountain oasis, start with these day trips from Ruidoso.

Scenic Gondola Rides at Ski Apache
Scenic Gondola Rides at Ski Apache

Witness panoramic vistas from the top of Ski Apache. Look for wildlife and enjoy the cool temperatures of Sierra Blanca Peak. For extra fun, rent a mountain bike at Ski Apache, take it up the mountain on the gondola, and ride down.

Discover Upcoming Ruidoso Events and Entertainment

Featured
Holiday Specialty Gift Wrapping and Basket Building at ENMU-Ruidoso
Dec 12
Holiday Specialty Gift Wrapping and Basket Building at ENMU-Ruidoso

Learn the art of professional gift wrapping and creative basket building in this hands-on workshop with facilitator Ashley Roberts. Perfect your wrapping techniques, master bow tying, and create custom, aesthetically pleasing designs. Supplies are included. The workshop is $50, supplies included. Register Today »

Dave Millsap and Damian Luna live at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside
Dec 13
Dave Millsap and Damian Luna live at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside

Enjoy an evening of live music with two exceptional artists: Texas-based guitarist Dave Millsap at 5 PM and Damian Luna at 7:30 PM. Millsap, a Grammy-nominated performer, has shared the stage with legends like Delbert McClinton and Bonnie Raitt. Luna brings 20 years of guitar experience, showcasing outlaw country and Tex-Mex styles. Don’t miss this dynamic duo!

Wine Release at Noisy Water Winery: Presenting 2021 Syrah and 2023 Don't Tell Mamma Apple Wine
Dec 14
Wine Release at Noisy Water Winery: Presenting 2021 Syrah and 2023 Don't Tell Mamma Apple Wine

Join Noisy Water Winery on December 14, 2024, for the release of the 2021 Syrah and 2023 Don't Tell Mamma Dry Apple Wine! Enjoy complimentary tastings with a full glass for wine club members. Exclusive discounts include 35% off full cases and 20% off half cases of the featured wines. Take advantage of this chance to savor the latest wines and enjoy great savings!

Holiday Market at Enchanted Vine Barn
Dec 14
Holiday Market at Enchanted Vine Barn

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. 

Fort Stanton Christmas Opera in the Chapel
Dec 14
Fort Stanton Christmas Opera in the Chapel

Experience the magic of the holidays at Fort Stanton Historic Site on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with a captivating opera performance by Karla Ramos, an acclaimed soprano with international accolades. Set in the historic stone chapel, enjoy holiday classics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $10/adults, free for kids 16 and under, including site access. Reserve at my.nmculture.org/33869/41939.

Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex
Dec 14
Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex

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!

Dave Hamilton Electric Rock Cello Show at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside
Dec 14
Dave Hamilton Electric Rock Cello Show at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside

Dave Hamilton's Electric Rock Cello Show is back! Prepare for an electrifying night as Dave Hamilton rocks out with his unique electric cello, performing your favorite classics and new hits. Join the fun for an unforgettable evening of music and energy at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside.

This Is Christmas: A Concert Presentation by Lincoln County Choir
Dec 15
This Is Christmas: A Concert Presentation by Lincoln County Choir

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.

Holiday Workshop Series: Craft Card Making at ENMU-Ruidoso
Dec 16
Holiday Workshop Series: Craft Card Making at ENMU-Ruidoso

Create beautiful handmade cards for any occasion in this engaging workshop. Focus on holiday and Christmas cards using stamps, pen and ink, and other techniques. Learn color and composition fundamentals and enjoy hands-on design experience. $50 class fee + $15 supply fee. Register Today »

BJ Ramirez Live at Downshift Brewing Company - Hidden Tap
Dec 20
BJ Ramirez Live at Downshift Brewing Company - Hidden Tap

Join the fun for an exciting evening at Downshift Brewing Company's Hidden Tap on Friday, Dec. 20th, starting at 6 PM. Experience the incredible talent of Las Cruces native singer-songwriter BJ Ramirez as he performs live. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great music and a vibrant atmosphere in Ruidoso. Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this fantastic event!

 
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