September

Many locals will confide that September is their favorite month in Santa Fe. The summer crowds have thinned, there's rarely a wait for tables at favorite restaurants, and it's easier to find downtown parking. The city is steeped in the earthy scent of freshly harvested green chile roasting at roadside stands. In late September, the aspen leaves start to turn a brilliant shade of gold. As summer starts its fade to fall, the weather is crisp and clear, with high temperatures averaging 78 degrees and lows averaging 48 degrees.

September kicks off with the Santa Fe Fiesta, America's oldest community event. The week of festivities commemorate the reoccupation of Santa Fe led by Don Diego de Vargas in 1692, a dozen years after the Pueblo Indian Revolt. The celebration includes parades, music, dancing, feasting and the boisterous Burning of Zozobra, in which a 49-foot-tall marionette groans and grimaces as his demise by fire is cheered by a crowd of thousands. Burning Zozobra is a feverish, time-honored tradition that pre-dates Burning Man and provides a way for viewers to symbolically release any gloom from the year.

This month, a bountiful harvest arrives at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, where booths are bursting with ripe peaches, apples, corn and the revered roasted green chile. Sample this famous New Mexico staple in inventive dishes served by local restaurants or buy a bag to take home for use in your own kitchen. The celebration of food continues during the annual Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, which brings foodies to town from around the country to savor wine dinners, cooking demonstrations and other events showcasing world wines paired with New Mexico ingredients creatively prepared by talented Santa Fe chefs.



October

October arrives in full golden glory as aspen trees display their glowing fall colors, usually through the middle of the month. With highs averaging 67 degrees and lows dipping to 37 degrees, October's crisp, cool weather is ideal for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Because the days are growing shorter and colder, it's a great time to unwind in a spa or by a warm fire with a glass of New Mexico wine following an afternoon spent hiking mountain trails or shopping Santa Fe boutiques and galleries.

In early October, the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the skies south of Santa Fe with hundreds of colorful hot air balloons that dazzle the crowds during morning and evening Balloon Glows, Mass Ascensions and an array of contests. Spend the day at the largest ballooning event on earth, then spend the night in Santa Fe and enjoy a world-class dinner followed by an inspiring concert or play.

October is filled with artist studio tours in towns and villages surrounding Santa Fe. Spend a day touring scenic northern New Mexico, meeting artists eager to discuss their work, and you'll undoubtedly find a unique piece to take home as a talisman or give as a gift during the upcoming holiday season. You'll also meet locals and visitors alike who enjoy seeing new work by both emerging and established artists.

By the end of October, Santa Fe has usually received its first snowfall of the season. As the soft flakes fall on the city's earth-colored adobe buildings, it's a lovely sight and a welcome sign that the ski season is almost here.

November

As fall gives way to winter, Santa Fe slows down briefly before gearing up for the holiday season. November is a great time to visit without the crowds that summer brings. You can shop for holiday gifts, refresh your body and spirit with rejuvenating spa treatments, attend world-renowned performances and savor memorable meals without waiting in long lines.

November days are usually chilly with plenty of sunshine. The average high reaches 52 degree, and the nights turn cold, with the low averaging 26 degrees. It's perfect weather for hiking, biking and exploring the city's ancient streets, visiting galleries, museums and historic sites that reflect 400 fascinating years of Santa Fe's history. During this month, skiers and snowboarders are counting the days until Ski Santa Fe opens for the season, usually on the last weekend of November.

In early November, Tesuque Pueblo celebrates San Diego Feast Day, a traditional event featuring ceremonial dances and a community feast. In mid-November, the Festival of the Cranes brings avid birders from around the country to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve south of Santa Fe to celebrate the annual return of thousands of sandhill cranes and Canadian snow geese to their winter quarters. Pick up a picnic lunch before leaving town to spend the day bird watching, then return to Santa Fe for an evening of fine food, inspiring performances and a night spent in a world-class resort, hotel or bed and breakfast.