Established in 1610, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States. With our vast history and unique mix of cultures, where better to spend Independence Day or an all-American summer weekend than in The City Different. Visit Santa Fe and attend one of the many July events, festivals, markets, or concerts. Truly there is an event for everyone!
Santa Fe Opera
Through August 24, 2024
Celebrate the 67th season of the Santa Fe Opera, one of America’s premier opera festivals. Imagine yourself at one of several world-class performances from five new productions (La Traviata, Don Giovanni, The Righteous, Der Rosenkavalier, and The Elixir of Love). And there’s not a bad seat in the house at the architectural wonder of a venue. Plan ahead with this handy guide, including info about pre-show tailgate picnic!
Happy Independence Day!
July 4, 2024
Photo: Luis Sanchez
Kick off your Fourth of July celebration at the annual Pancakes on the Plaza. Enjoy a crowd-pleasing tasty breakfast among thousands of locals and visitors alike. Then peruse the car show, the juried arts and crafts booths, and the make sure the kiddos take advantage of the activities provided by the Santa Fe Children's Museum. The great live entertainment on the gazebo will keep things festive. Later in the day, travel to the southside of town for a FREE City of Santa Fourth of July celebration at the Santa Fe Place Mall with live, local music from various bands, food trucks, and a "professional high-altitude, safely launched fireworks display to mark the birth of our nation." There's plenty of room for everyone with free parking, too. Bring your festive spirit and your dancing shoes!
30th Annual Santa Fe Wine Festival
July 6 & 7, 2024
Photo: Richard Gonzales
Toast to the upcoming Fourth out at El Ranchos de las Golondrias, just a quick and scenic 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, with the Santa Fe Wine Festival. You can sample the handmade New Mexican wines from independent vintners from around the state—yup, we don't just grow chile. In fact, the first wine grapes grown in the United States were grown in New Mexico and winemaking here dates back to the early 17th century. To accompany that glass of grape, there are delicious foods from regional vendors, you can buy local arts and crafts, and you can dance to entertainment throughout the day at the longest-running wine festival in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Art Week
July 11–21, 2024
Step into Santa Fe's casual vibe and delight in stimulating art and culture, fantastic food, and historic architecture during the Santa Fe Art Week celebration! The 20th annual International Folk Art Market kicks off the week on July 10 with a community celebration and artist welcome on the Railyard Plaza and the Market begins in the evening on July 11 at Railyard Park! Art Santa Fe opens on July 12 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and runs through Sunday, July 14. (While there, don't miss the once-in-a-hundred-years exhibition of the 32 fine art finished Zozobras on display and up for auction.) Beyond this, during Santa Fe Art Week, there will be dozens of art experiences and events, openings and shows, art talks, and workshops in galleries and studios across Santa Fe’s beautiful art districts through Sunday, July 21.
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
July 11–14, 2024
Photo courtesy of the International Folk Art Market (IFAM)
Experience the world’s largest international folk art market, held in Railyard Park. It's hard to fathom, but true that more than 160 artists from 50 countries bring their work to this vast and colorful international bazaar. Some will arrive as celebrated cultural artists, while others will have never before left their villages, let alone crossed an ocean. Purchase one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces, ranging from pottery and rugs to clothing, jewelry, and revel in a unique multicultural cultural experience at the International Folk Art Market. Get your tickets today!
Art Santa Fe
July 12–14, 2024
Art Santa Fe is a gathering of exceptional artists and galleries from around the world. Explore world-class modern, and contemporary art, meet the artists, interact with site-specific works and performance pieces, or listen to inspiring and thought-provoking talks by international art industry experts. Whether you’re a collector, designer, or just an art aficionado, you won’t want to miss it. Get your FREE tickets today!
42nd Santa Fe Desert Chorale Summer Festival
July 14–August 3, 2024
Photo: Tira Howard
The Desert Chorale Summer Festival, led by Music Director, Joshua Habermann, celebrates its 42nd year with three separate programs, each with their own unique repertoire: Songs from the Americas, Out of this World, and The Great Romantics and each draw on the strengths of the 24-vocalist ensemble. A centerpiece of the cultural life of Santa Fe, and among the nation’s most significant choral events, ensembles perform at historical sites, such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Loretto Chapel, and Cristo Rey Catholic Church. Purchase your tickets today!
Northern New Mexico Fine Arts and Crafts Guild
July 13 & 14, 2024
Shop the works of regional Northern New Mexico artists and craftspeople in scenic, shady, leafy green Cathedral Park adjacent to Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. At the four summer weekend Northern New Mexico Fine Arts and Crafts Guild shows, juried artists will be present to answer your questions about their process and some may demo their creative methods.
51st Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
July 14–August 19, 2024
Celebrating 51 years, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival has become one of the world's preeminent music festivals. This annual event presents 100 distinguished musicians, along with emerging young talent (15 performers will make their festival debut). Patrons return year after year to enjoy more than 40 concerts over the course of five weeks at various venues, including St. Francis Auditorium in the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Lensic Performing Arts Center. Purchase your tickets today! And, don't forget Free Festival Family Day, which includes a Young People's Concert on July 29, beginning at 10AM. Enjoy the Festival trio, a meet-and-greet with the musicians, art activities, and museum tours.
21st Annual Fiesta de los Niños
July 20 & 21, 2024
The City Different's living history museum El Rancho de las Golondrinas presents cultural events to give visitors a sense of life in New Mexico in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bring the whole family to the 21st Annual Santa Fe Fiesta de los Niños, where the kiddos can participate in hands-on activities like learning how to grind corn, make candles and ropes, spin wool, and much more. Enjoy youth performances and great food and drink.
72nd Traditional Spanish Market
July 27 & 28, 2024
Celebrating the 72nd anniversary of Traditional Spanish Market, approximately 200 Hispanic artists from New Mexico and Southern Colorado will take part in this extraordinary event, bringing to Santa Fe a critical mass of handmade traditional art in the form of woodcarving, tinwork, colcha, hide painting, retablos, straw appliqué, weaving, jewelry, filigree, pottery, and ironwork. Many of the artisans who show at the Traditional Spanish Market are direct descendants of The City Different’s Spanish settlers. In addition to art steeped in tradition, expect regional Hispanic foods and entertainment from live music and dance to art demonstrations throughout each day.
38th Contemporary Hispanic Market
July 27 & 28, 2024
This annual market, marking its 38th year, showcases original contemporary works by more than 100 juried Hispanic artists who are full-time residents of New Mexico. Shop for paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, weaving, and much more at the Contemporary Hispanic Market. Live music, dances, demonstrations, and food vendors round out the celebrations. Entry is free. Find out more by reading our Guide to Contemporary Hispanic Market.
Santa Fe Summer Scene
Ongoing through August 28, 2024
Photo by Porter McLeod for Lensic 360
Lensic 360 presents Santa Fe Summer Scene 2024! Enjoy FREE outdoor dance-inspiring music and family-friendly movies all summer long at Santa Fe Plaza, Railyard Plaza, Reunity Resources, and Swan Park.
There’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Santa Fe this summer and a July full of cultural events just might be the reason you need to plan a visit now. Make sure to book your accommodations early as many hotels around The City Different will sell out on these busy event weekends. Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.
