The 22nd Annual Festival of the Cranes at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge takes place November 17-22, 2009. This popular festival celebrating the annual return of thousands of sandhill cranes features more than 100 events, from tours and workshops to lectures, demonstrations and hands-on activities. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is about a 2.5-hour drive south of Santa Fe via I-25.

---

Yuletide in Taos, celebrated from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, includes a host of holiday events, from an arts and crafts fair to museum and gallery exhibits, events at Taos Pueblo, and much more. A highlight is the opening of Taos Ski Valley, scheduled for November 26.

---

Christmas in Madrid is a merry tradition, celebrated with a lavish display of town lights as well as open houses and stagecoach rides every weekend in December. During its coal-mining heyday last century, Madrid became world-famous when airlines took flight detours so passengers could view the holiday lights, put up by miners and their families. The mine shut down in 1954 and Madrid became a ghost town until the 1970s. New residents re-started the tradition, and today Madrid is once again famous for its holiday lights and traditions.
Located on the Turquoise Trail (N.M. 14), about 20 miles south of Santa Fe.

---

The River of Lights at Albuquerque's Rio Grande Botanic Garden is a dazzling winter wonderland of twinkling light displays representing birds, dinosaurs and other artistic creations. As you stroll through the gardens of New Mexico's largest walk-through light show, this display will light up your holiday season! From November 28 through December 30, 6-9 p.m. (Closed Dec. 24 & 25.) Located at 2601 Central Ave. NW.