Skip to Content


Santa Fe Weather

Book Your Hotel

Check In Date:
Nights: Rooms
Adults Children
You are here: Home > What's Happening > Seasonal Newsletter > Summer 2009

Summer 2009

Summer in Santa Fe is all about choices. Will it be Opera or Jazz? Chile or tapas? A gallery crawl or a mountain hike? The options go on and on during the city's favorite season for music, food, and fun. This summer Santa Fe kicks off the start of its 400th Anniversary festivities, celebrates the opening of the New Mexico History Museum, and features a calendar filled with art events, musical productions, theater, festivals, markets, and more.

Recent Happenings
summer news  ae
Getting to Santa Fe just got easier. On June 11 American Eagle began direct air service daily between Dallas and the Santa Fe Municipal Airport. Flight 3551 departs DFW airport at 10:55 AM arriving in Santa Fe at 11:45 AM. The return flight, 3544, leaves Santa Fe at 12:10 PM arriving in Dallas at 2:50 PM. The flight is met in Santa Fe by Roadrunner Shuttle, providing pickup from and transportation to all of Santa Fe's lodging. Avis and Hertz rental cars are available at the airport as is taxi service from town. The Santa Fe airport is about a 20 minute drive from downtown Santa Fe. American Eagle plans flights between Los Angeles and Santa Fe beginning November 19, 2009. www.aa.com

summer news nmhistory
The doors of the newly created New Mexico History Museum opened to the public for the first time on Memorial Day Weekend and the crowds were dazzled by the state-of-the-art, immersive, interactive exhibition on New Mexico's complex and colorful stories. The multi-media environment explores the early history of indigenous people through 400 years of Spanish colonization, the Mexican Period, travel and commerce on the Santa Fe Trail, the flourishing of New Mexico's world-renowned arts communities, and the coming of the Atomic Age. In the Museum's Changing Gallery is Fashioning New Mexico, from the museum's collection of nearly 4,000 costumes. The museum is part of the Museum of New Mexico and is a wonderful choice for the whole family. 505-476-5200,
www.nmhistorymuseum.org

Coming Up This Summer

summer news opera
The Santa Fe Opera's 53rd season runs July 3 to August 29 featuring remarkable staging, stunning costumes, and world-class musicianship. On stage will be two of the repertory's most beloved masterworks, La Traviata, starring Natalie Dessay, and Don Giovanni, featuring young American baritone Lucas Meachem. In addition will be a new production of The Elixir of Love which has not been performed in Santa Fe for 40 years, a new production of Alceste with Christine Brewer in the challenging title role, and the world premiere of The Letter, based on W. Somerset Maugham's 1927 stage adaptation of one of his best-known short stories. Backstage tours of the opera house will be available Monday through Saturday at 9 AM starting in June and throughout the Opera season. For more about the opera, 986-5900, 800-280-4654, www.santafeopera.org

summer news  folk art

The Sixth Annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market takes place July 11 and 12 on Museum Hill. 151 artists from 47 countries will display and sell indigenous artwork in a huge variety of styles during the largest market of its kind. The artists' sales at the market go towards sustaining their communities and literally tens of thousands of people benefit from the two-day event. The market begins with a free concert on the Santa Fe Plaza Thursday evening, July 9 from 5:00 to 8:30, there is an Artists Welcome Preview & Benefit on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and an Early Bird Market from 7:30 to 9:00 am on Saturday. Regular market hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday. The market continues to expand its global reach and provide greater support to folk artists around the world.
www.folkartmarket.org/

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival brings some of the finest chamber musicians performing today to Santa Fe for almost six weeks of concerts, July 19 through August 24. Featuring the music of Faure, Debussy, Caplet, Brahms, Bach, Schubert, Mozart, Youth Concerts, a Modern Masters performance, Pre-Concert talks, world premiers of Festival commissions, and a Composers Masterclass, the festival is one of the summer's musical highlights. 505-983-2075, 888-221-9836, www.santafechambermusic.org/

summer news artsf
Art Santa Fe International Art Fair, the city's largest and oldest art fair, takes place at El Museo Cultural in the Santa Fe Railyard, July 23-26. The boutique setting offers a perfect balance of breadth and intimacy in which to explore the work of hundreds of contemporary artists from around the globe. The Art Santa Fe experience includes Thursday night's Vernissage, the Art In America Party at the LewAllen Gallery in the Railyard on Saturday, cutting edge art installations, emerging artists and dealers, a special new event, "How Things Are Made," demonstrating the lithograph process presented by Landfall Press, and more. 505-988-8883, www.artsantafe.com

PhotoArts Santa Fe 2009, July 24-August 2, is a biennial conference on everything photographic in New Mexico for both the amateur and professional photographer. Santa Fe is home to an amazing number of well-known professional photographers as well as some of the best known fine-art photography galleries in the U.S. The conference features lectures, workshops, exhibits, and guided photo shoots through the area's remarkable landscape and iconic settings. This year's field trips include photo excursions to O'Keeffe Country, Chaco Canyon, Ranch Lands, the Jemez Mountains, the High Road to Taos, and many others. Also scheduled are manufacturers demonstrations, product displays, equipment demonstrations and sales markets, plus a symposium on alternative photography and a host of presentations on professional development. For details, a comprehensive schedule, and venues visit, www.photoartssantafe.com/

summer news 400th
Santa Fe begins its 400th Anniversary events with Viva! Santa Fe on Labor Day Weekend, September 5, and 6, 2009. A festival of dance, art, music, local foods, culture, and celebrities, and visits from the heads of state of the U.S., Spain, Mexico, and Native America is planned. Set in Fort Marcy Park on the edge of downtown Santa Fe, Viva! Santa Fe will kickoff 16 months of non-stop anniversary action from an art series to monthly Santa Fe story nights to an outdoor cinema of films shot in New Mexico to a national classroom webcast to special Anniversary editions of many of Santa Fe's signature events. Also planned are a special concert, Sounds of Santa Fe, at the Santa Fe Opera with music commissioned specifically for the anniversary, 2 books, 2 documentaries, an interactive production, History Has a Personality, featuring some of the personalities and characters who built Santa Fe into an American cross cultural cornerstone, and a New Year's Eve Legacy Ball. Check for updated information at www.santafe400th.com

Summer Calendar of Events

A sampling of some of what's going on in and around Santa Fe this summer. For complete listings take a look at www.santafe.org/Calendar

At the museums this summer. Besides the opening of the new New Mexico History Museum, there are many other fascinating exhibits this summer at Santa Fe's many museums. At the Museum of Art, a show on American Impressionism brings fine examples from the famed Phillips Collection. The exhibition of contemporary baskets demonstrates how modern and sculptural this ancient art form can be. Opening on July 19 at the International Museum of Folk Art, Century of Masters: The NEA Heritage Fellows of New Mexico, will showcase the state's award-winning artists. Native Couture is featured at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and there is also an exhibit of children's picture books. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum displays rarely-shown works inspired by the artist's travels.

summer news rodeo

June

June 24-27
The 60th annual Rodeo de Santa Fe, a PRCA sanctioned event, rated one of the top 100 rodeos in the country. www.rodeodesantafe.org

June 24
Arlen Asher Quartet, Music on the Hill, free outdoor jazz concert at St. John's College, www.stjohnscollege.edu/events/SF/concerts.shtml

June 25-28
Grand Prix de Santa Fe Sixth Annual Charity Event, four days of horse show-jumping events with riders from around the world. Other events include dining, auction, dancing, and more to benefit New Mexico Charities. www.grandprixdesantafe.com

June 23-September 6
summer news flamenco
Juan Siddi Flamenco Theatre Company performs Spanish music and dance at its best in the Maria Benitez Theater at The Lodge at Santa Fe, 505-988-1234, www.ticketssantafe.org,
www.juansiddiflamenco.com

July

July 3-August 29
53rd Santa Fe Opera: La Traviata, starring Natalie Dessay, Don Giovanni, featuring young American baritone Lucas Meachem, a new production of The Elixir of Love, a new production of Alceste with Christine Brewer, and the world premiere of The Letter, based on W. Somerset Maugham's 1927 stage adaptation of one of his best-known short stories. 505-986-5900, 800-280-4654, www.santafeopera.org

July 4
Pancakes on the Plaza brings hundreds of locals downtown to eat hot pancakes and benefit the United Way. Live entertainment. 505-982-2002, www.uwsfc.org

July 7
summer news music hill

Desert Chorale, Santa Fe's premier professional chorus, begins its summer season with Glorious Voices, Sacred Spaces at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. 505-988-1234, www.lensic.com

July 8
Michael Herndon, Music on the Hill, free outdoor jazz concert at St. John's College. See schedule.


July 11-12
Sixth Annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market featuring artists from around the world in the largest market of its kind. Milner Plaza at Museum Hill, 505-476-1200, www.folkartmarket.org

July 12
A Gala Evening of Stars showcases ballet luminaries from around the world, including stars of our own Aspen Santa Fe Ballet at the Lensic, 505-988-11234, www.lensic.com

July 14
New Mexico Jazz Festival begins with Cal Haine Trio on the Santa Fe Plaza. Other performances by Dave and Don Grusin Quartet, Matt Brewer Quartet, Jimmy Heath, and the Mingus Dynsaty. Tickets, 505-988-1234. www.newmexicojazzfestival.org

Nacha Mendez
July 15
Nacha Mendez, free outdoor latin jazz concert at St. John's College. www.stjohnscollege.edu/events/SF/concerts.shtml


July 19-August 24
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Musicians from the world's stages performing six weeks of chamber music throughout Santa Fe. 505-983-2075, 888-221-9836, www.sfcmf.org

July 22
Wagogo, free world beat/reggae concert outdoors at St. John's College. www.stjohnscollege.edu/events/SF/concerts.shtml

July 23-26
Art Santa Fe International Art Fair returns after a record-breaking show last year with even more national and international contemporary galleries and artists from all over the globe. El Museo Cultural, 505-988-8883, www.artsantafe.com

July 24-August 2
PhotoArts Santa Fe, a biennial photography conference, includes exhibitions, excursions, demonstrations and more. www.photoartssantafe.com

July 25-26
summer news golondrinas

58th Annual Spanish Market. A show and sale of work by hundreds of artists presenting art from the rich Hispanic cultures of Northern New Mexico. On the Santa Fe Plaza. 505-982-2226, www.spanishmarket.org

July 28
Parsons Dance, an exciting and energetic modern dance company presented by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Lensic, 505-988-1234, www.lensic.com

August

August 1-2
Summer Festival, El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Spanish Colonial times come to life at this living history museum. 505-471-2261, www.golondrinas.org

summer news swaia
August 7-8
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, a highly regarded company, performs old favorites and new works. The Lensic, 505-988-1234, www.lensic.com

August 14-16
26th Annual Antique Ethnographic Art Show. Ethnographic and tribal art from around the world. Presented by Whitehawk at the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 505-992-8929, www.whitehawkshows.com

August 17-19
31st Annual Invitational Antique Indian Art Show, the oldest and largest antique event of its type. Presented by Whitehawk at the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 505-992-8929, www.whitehawkshows.com

August 22-23
88th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market. 1,200 artists from 100 tribes sell their work during the largest show of its kind in the world. On the Santa Fe Plaza, 505-983-5220, www.swaia.org

September

September 5-7
Viva Santa Fe, the kickoff of Santa Fe's 400th Anniversary commemoration. Music, dance, entertainment, food, art, and concerts. A cultural festival beginning 16 months of Anniversary events through 2010. www.santafe400th.com

summer news zozobra
September 5-13
Santa Fe Fiesta events. The oldest continually running celebration in the U.S. celebrates culture and history with parades, music, and religious processions. Various venues. www.santafefiesta.org

September 10
85th Burning of Zozobra- staged each year by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe as a fiery and exciting kick-off to the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe. Zozobra tradition is a major fund raiser and has become a great way for Santa Feans to participate in community service. www.zozobra.com

September 23-27
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, a celebration of all things culinary and epicurean. Tastings, tours, demonstrations, wine dinners, and celebrity chefs.505-438-8060, www.santafewineandchile.org

Keep in touch with everything going on in Santa Fe at www.santafe.org - the official travel website for Santa Fe New Mexico.