Locals will tell you that Santa Fe is a wonderful place to visit year-round, but during the winter months there is something extra special and exciting in the air. January is no exception and these six events are a great reason to begin your new year in Santa Fe! This first month of the New Year is an ideal time to see why Santa Fe was voted “Destination of the Year 2017” by the readers of Travel and Leisure magazine!
On New Year’s Day, newly appointed and elected Pueblo Leaders are announced. The ceremony is called the “Transfer of Lincoln Canes” and symbolizes the transfer of power to new Pueblo Tribal leadership. On January 6, 2018 (King’s Day) most pueblos are open to the public with various dances and ceremonies, including Buffalo, Deer, Eagle and Elk dances to honor incoming Tribal Officials. Please contact the respective Tribal communities directly to inquire about times and location of the dances before you make your visit. To learn more about Native American culture, visit our page.
Santa Fe Artists In Residence
Get to know the artists as they create their masterpieces! (Photo courtesy of La Posada de Santa Fe)
Santa Fe Artists in Residence is an art experience connecting visitors with New Mexico artists in our culturally inspired hotels, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, now through February. Meet, interact, and watch the artists as they create their masterpieces and experience first-hand their creative process. Pick a medium and hotel. You will be able to view artists working with jewelry, mixed media, painting, pottery and sculpture. Thirteen hotels are participating, so why not visit them all?
Artwork will be available for purchase. Check the Event Calendar for additional events ranging from meet & greet wine receptions to gourmet dinners with the artist. You also have a chance to enter to win a Santa Fe Art Experience on the Santa Fe Artists in Residence page. The prize includes a two night stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel, a three course dinner at Terra at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, dining at Del Charro, museum passes and an art lesson for two.
Winter Brew 2018
Join the hundreds of craft beer aficionados at Winter Brew 2018! (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)
Join the New Mexico Brewers Guild for the 7th annual Winter Brew Festival at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion on January 12, 2018 from 5 to 9 p.m. This intimate craft beer and comfort food event will feature 18 New Mexican breweries from around the state. Admission includes beer samples, a commemorative pint glass and one fill of your brew choice. Santa Fe’s own breweries participating include Santa Fe Brewing Co., Second Street Brewery, Blue Corn Brewery, Rowley’s Farmhouse and Duel Brewing. Count on stouts, porters, barley wines, winter warmers and barrel aged seasonals to be there. Buy your tickets here.
SOUPER BOWL 2018
Over a thousand people will be able to sample the soup fare at the 2018 Souper Bowl. (Photo courtesy of The Food Depot)
While Santa Feans appreciate a good Super Bowl game, we really love the “Souper Bowl.” And for those who can’t wait for kickoff, the January 27, 2018, Souper Bowl makes our cups runneth over. In this battle to name Santa Fe’s best soups, there are four categories of competition: best cream, best savory, best seafood and best vegetarian. Truth be told, it’s all good.
The Souper Bowl is a favorite Santa Fe event for locals and visitors alike that benefits The Food Depot, a local organization that raises money to provide meals for Northern New Mexicans in need. Purchase tickets here.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Would you like to attend a ballet and have it be one of the funniest nights you’ve ever had? You can, by attending Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. The world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company draws the fine line between high art and high camp. They have delighted audiences around the world for four decades. The company wittily parodies dance classics from Swan Lake to Martha Graham. This is a welcome comedic relief sure to cure any winter blues! The performance takes place on January 23, 2018 at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.
Combining an encylopedic knowledge of ballet with their uniquely wicked comedic sensibility, the Trocks offer you a hilarious evening of ballet for aficionados and novices alike. (Photo courtesy of Les Ballet Trockaderode Monte Carlo)
Last Friday Art Walk
Discover galleries and artwork in three art districts on Last Friday Art Walk. (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)
For an exciting world-class art experience, take a “Last Friday Art Walk” at Canyon Road, the Palace Arts District and the Railyard on January 26, 2018. Each of these areas offer dozens of galleries all in walking distance of each other that stay open late on this evening. The art walk is from 5 to 7 p.m. on the last Friday of every month.
By now you should have some keys to unlock your perfect kick-off for the New Year in The City Different! If you’ve penciled in fun on your January calendar, then you need to plan a Santa Fe getaway! But before you do, make sure you order our official 2018 Santa Fe travel guide. Deals and specials abound in The City Different so please check them out and start off your new year affordably with a Santa Fe adventure.
