Ruidoso Festivals and Annual Events
Ruidoso hosts many exciting festivals and annual events. Everything from Party in the Pines to the Art Loop, AspenFest to the Festival of Lights! We invite you to browse our diverse selection of year-round opportunities to experience art, music, and culture that makes Ruidoso such a great place to live and to visit. Find an archive of Ruidoso festivals and events HERE.
Hop into spring with two fun-filled events on Saturday, April 19, 2025! Lace up for the 6th Annual 5K Bunny Run/Walk at Cedar Creek—race starts at 7:00 AM, check-in at 5:45 AM. 🥚 New this year: The Easter Egg Hunt hops over to Wingfield Park (300 Center St.) and begins at 10:00 AM sharp! Don’t miss out—register today!
Ruidoso hosts New Mexico’s first-ever Pro Disc Golf Association Major Championship! The Tim Selinske US Masters, presented by Innova, runs May 8-11, 2025, featuring top professional and amateur players nationwide. Spectators can enjoy live tournament action at Grindstone Park, Moon Mountain, Oso Canyon, and Alto Lake. Don’t miss this historic event!
Immerse yourself in the magic of the medieval era right in the heart of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Featuring talented jesters, minstrels, and troubadours, a bustling marketplace with medieval wares, delicious Renaissance fare, and enchanting children's activities. Encounter mystical characters, fortune tellers, and more surprises throughout the weekend. Don your finest medieval attire and join event host Oso Productions for a day of history, fantasy, and fun at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire. Tickets are available online or at the gate with special discounts for children and seniors.
Experience the thrill of live horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, home to the World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race, the All-American Futurity. Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens its summer meet on Memorial Day Weekend. Learn more at RaceRuidoso.com
Experience Ruidoso Futurity & Derby Weekend on June 7-8 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, featuring over $2 million in purse money. The Ruidoso QH Derby Finals G1 ($850,000) and Invitational Stakes ($100,000) showcase top three-year-olds on Saturday, while Sunday’s Futurity G1 ($1,000,000) and Juvenile Stakes ($100,000) highlight elite two-year-olds. Don’t miss this premier racing event!
Join Tattoo artists from all over the country for three days filled with tattoos, live performances, contests, and more. Get tattooed by amazing artists nationwide, browse vendor booths for unique items, and enjoy watching art in action. Learn more at ruidosotattooexpo.com
See 150 drones take flight in a patriotic-themed aerial drone show featuring a 300-foot-tall Statue of Liberty, fireworks, an eagle, and other iconic American images. Meet family and friends for a pre-show tailgate and enjoy FREE family-friendly activities and entertainment starting at 5:00 PM.
Experience Rainbow Weekend on July 12-13 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, featuring over $2.3 million in purse money. The Rainbow QH Derby, Oaks, and Invitational Stakes showcase top three-year-olds on Saturday, while Sunday’s Futurity and Juvenile Stakes highlight elite two-year-olds. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!
Join us for the 6th Annual Ruidoso Marathon Weekend! Featuring the Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky’s Deli 5K Bun Run, Kids 1K Mini Bun Run, and the State-Forty-Seven Road 47K/50K—New Mexico’s only road 50K. Race through Ruidoso’s scenic, high-elevation terrain. Elevate your running with this challenging race event, the fourth of six Run Ruidoso 2025 series races. Register online today!
Experience the Zia Festival Weekend on July 19-20 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, showcasing New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses with over $700,000 in purse money. Featured races include the Zia QH Derby, Futurity, Stakes, 870 Championship, and Juvenile Finals, with distances from 400 to 870 yards. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!
Art lovers from around the southwest make an annual trip to Ruidoso for this juried fine arts show that features over 100 of the nation’s most talented artists, showcasing a broad spectrum of mediums, showcasing collectible art and jewelry.
The 2025 Billy the Kid Pageant brings history to life in Lincoln, NM, with performances on August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This folk play, first staged in 1940, reenacts key moments of the Lincoln County War, including Billy the Kid’s daring escape. Featuring local volunteer actors, many of whom are descendants of past participants, the event offers an authentic Old West experience. Tickets are available only at the gate.
This free, self-guided annual tour offers you the chance to explore behind the scenes of the Alto art community. The public is invited to visit private studios and homes throughout Alto to interact with local professional artists. Learn more at AltoArtists.org
Exciting News! The Ruidoso Midtown Association is bringing back Brewdoso on August 9 at Wingfield Park! Mark your calendars for craft brews, live music, and a fantastic time in the mountains! Brewdoso.com
Experience the thrill of XTERRA Ruidoso from August 15-17, 2025! Set against the breathtaking Grindstone Lake, this event features full and sprint triathlons, a scenic 10K trail run, and a kids’ race—all designed for athletes and outdoor lovers alike. This event welcomes athletes, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to the lush trails of Grindstone Lake, promising adventure for all.
Join the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs at Wingfield Park on August 23, 2025. Celebrate the 11th anniversary with a Half Marathon Heavy (13.8 miles), 8.5 miles, and 4 miles. Events start at 7:00 AM. Proceeds benefit All-Season Adaptive Sports. Top finishers qualify for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. Enjoy commemorative swag, cake, and a post-race party. Register now!
Experience All American Quarter Horse Championship Weekend on August 31 & September 1 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, featuring over $4.75 million in purses! The All American Futurity G1 ($3M), Derby G1 ($700K), Oaks G1 ($500K), and Gold Cup G1 ($250K) highlight two days of elite Quarter Horse racing. Don’t miss the grand finale of the 2025 racing season!
Join the Rusty Balls C10 Club NM Car and Truck Show on September 19-20 at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, featuring special guest Steve Darnell from Vegas Rat Rods. The weekend kicks off with a Friday night pre-party at Jack’s Backstage, followed by Saturday’s car show with multiple award categories. After the show, enjoy a free after-party at Rusty Balls Speed Shop with food, music, and giveaways!
Get ready for a high-octane weekend packed with motorsports excitement! Tackle thrilling off-road trails, enjoy scenic motorcycle rides, and unwind with live entertainment every afternoon and evening. Whether you're an expert rider or a beginner, this event promises roaring engines, flying dust, and unforgettable memories in the great outdoors. Don't miss out on this ultimate motorsports adventure!
Raise a stein to Ruidoso Oktoberfest! Celebrate at Downshift Brewing Company—Riverside with beer, German food, and family fun. Enjoy live entertainment, including Fungi Mungle and Die Polka Schlingels. Enter contests for best dressed, stein hoisting, and the chicken dance. Tickets start at $10, and VIP passes include tokens, swag, and exclusive perks. This is a rain-or-shine event! BUY TICKETS »
The 3rd Annual New Mexico 4x4 Rally at the Ruidoso Convention Center is a three-day celebration of off-road excitement and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy a vibrant vendor exhibit, car show, trail challenges, a cornhole tournament, and an overlanding campout. Open to all street-legal off-road vehicles, the family-friendly event promises fun for all ages.Don't miss out—buy tickets now! nm4x4rally.com/
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
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.
Ride into Ruidoso on May 15 for an unforgettable motorcycle experience. Enjoy cool mountain air, scenic byways, and winding roads that draw riders from across the country. Connect with fellow enthusiasts, explore local shops and restaurants, and discover why the AspenCash rally is a top destination for two-wheel adventures in the Southwest.