Spring warmth has taken hold, flowers are in bloom across The City Different, and the calendar is filled with special events—it must be May in Santa Fe! Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start to summer—is near and now is the time to begin planning a getaway to Santa Fe. Here are 11 May events in Santa Fe to include in your vacation plans.
Inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week, May 2–5
Don't miss the inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week, May 2–5, showcasing the diversity and brillance of Indigenous fashion designers. You cannot help but feel and sense their ancestral knowledge expressed through an array of distinctive garments. Brought to you by the more than 100-year-old Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the organization that launched the first Fashion Show in 2014 as a part of the Santa Fe Indian Market, whose popularity has necessitated a standalone, robust event. Come for the runway shows, the pop-shops, the panels, and the celebratory parties.
13th Annual Folk Art Flea, May 4
Purchase a donated folk art treasure—textiles, clothing, ceramics, masks, wood carvings, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and more from around the world—at the Folk Art Flea on May 4 out at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds. Your take-home treasure will help support educational programs and exhibitions at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, whose mission is to shape a humane world by connecting people through creative expression and artistic traditions. The museum holds the largest collection of international folk art in the world, numbering more than 130,000 objects from more than 100 countries.
Lena Street Lofts First Saturday, May 4
This tucked-away maker neighborhood within a neighborhood is benevolently ruled by innovation, creativity, hipness in lofts and sustainable retail spaces. Find exquisite ceramics, plants, and curated art and artifacts from around the world and sate your tastebuds at various joints, offering onsite-roasted coffee, bento boxes, and bread. Check it out on this first of many Saturdays through August for Lena Street Lofts First Saturdays Open Studios. Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere where artisans, makers, and designers showcase their work. Explore the studios, enjoy live music, grab some bites, and connect with the talented individuals who make the neighborhood a big draw!
The Santa Fe Margarita Trail Turns 8 on May 5!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the 8th anniversary of the Santa Fe Margarita Trail on Sunday, May 5 at your choice of 50 participating restaurants and bars, offering a participating margarita, on the trail! For ease and excitement, use the Santa Fe Margarita Trail app, available on Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iPhone). The app includes an interactive map, tracks your collection of virtual stamps, and sends notifications of progress towards earning rewards. Similar to the original paper Passport, which you can pick up at all Santa Fe Visitors Centers, the app provides Margarita Trail participating location descriptions, the recipe for each featured margarita, and a $1 discount (BONUS!) on each margarita purchased. And check out the following bennies. This is a club you want to join!
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5 Stamps = Margarita Trail T-shirt
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10 Stamps = Provisional Member to the Margarita Society for 1 year
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15 Stamps = Full Member to the Margarita Society (invitations to special events, seminars, tastings)
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20 Stamps = Signed copy of Recipes for Margarita Cocktails
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30 Stamps = Margarita Bartender Kit
For some great background, read our blog, Fascinating Tequila and Margarita Origin Stories or check out the Top 8 Spots on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail.
CloudTop Comedy Festival, May 9–12
Nothing's better than laughing at the absurdity of life, so chuckle along as more than 50 comedians from across the country, plus New Mexico's funniest folk, share their quirky insights at the CloudTop Comedy Festival, May 9–12. Catch a glimpse of the headliners and highlights here. And check out the schedule because you're bound to find a slant just for you, with themed acts ranging from Queen Comedy to Mom Comedy to Roast of Santa Fe, Bad Indian, and more. Purchase your tix here—there are both single ticket and evening wristband options.
11th Annual Canyon Road Spring Art Festival, May 11
The Canyon Road gallery scene comes alive on Saturday, May 11 for the Canyon Road Spring Art Festival, as dozens of artists display their work and demonstrate their techniques in every imaginable medium as a part of a “paint out” or demonstration-style event on the iconic art road. Collectors will have the rare opportunity to meet artists and ask questions during a daylong festival. Individual galleries feature rich programs of complimentary special events, art tours, artist demonstrations, and more at myriad locations along the road.
Santa Fe International Literary Festival, May 17–19
World-renowned authors and thinkers join passionate readers at the 3rd annual Santa Fe International Literary Festival, May 17–19, to create meaning and embrace community and explore issues at a time of extraordinary change—in politics, race, immigration, the environment, and more—as well as simply escape into great stories. Join the celebration by purchasing your tickets NOW!
The lineup is literally full of literati: Priyanka Kumar, David Grann, Julia Alvarez, Tommy Orange, Lynsey Addario, Hua Hsu, Roxana Robinson, and more.
Join for the entire weekend, which includes large and small lectures and conversations, tastings with celebrated culinary folk, evening receptions, live music, walks & talks, and more. Kickoff is Friday evening, with poet Jesmyn Ward.
Santa Fe Century, May 17–19
Do you love distance riding and the camaraderie of fellow cycling enthusiasts and fans? Then plan your visit during one of the most popular cycling events in Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Century, May 17–19. Riders of all ages and abilities are invited to participate along a variety of routes, ranging from 20 to 106 miles, both Saturday and Sunday, that include the historic Turquoise Trail and the old mining towns of Madrid and Golden, as well as terrain with striking scenery, including the Ortiz Mountains, the Galisteo Basin, and Rowe Mesa. There's truly something for everyone, including kids, with timed and untimed rides on gravel and road terrain. Did we mention outstanding food stops along the way? The start and finish is at the ever-popular and convenient Railyard Park.
19th Annual Native Treasures Art Market, May 25 & 26
The Native Treasures Art Market, Santa Fe’s only museum-quality Indian art show and sale is May 25 and 26 in the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The weekend's events include an in-person art market showcasing jewelry, pottery, sculpture, two-dimensional art, fashion, carvings, basketry, beadwork, and textiles from more than 150 Native American artists, each of whom is selected by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC). Many of the artists at Native Treasures are included in the museum’s permanent collection. By attending, you will be supporting your favorite artists and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture at the same time. A Night Market, including live music and refreshments, kicks off the weekend on Friday, May 26—shop early and attend the MIAC Living Treasure Ceremony.
Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild, May 27–29
(Photo courtesy Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild)
The Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild juried show, celebrating 24 years, takes place Memorial Day weekend May 25–27. Artists and craftspeople come from both Santa Fe and serene villages throughout our scenic countryside to sell their work in this show, including jewelry, metal, glass, painting, weaving, photography, leather, textiles, pottery, and more. It's conveniently near the historic Plaza at the leafy Cathedral Park.
New Mexico Cocktail Week, May 31–June 8
Kicking off New Mexico Cocktail Week, Taco Wars, where fab local chefs and equally audacious mixologists do their best work and you vote, is sold out! BUT do not fear! There are so many more ways to pay homage to the mighty cocktail that cajoles our inner curmudgeon and tickles our perspective. Additional Santa Fe events include June 1's VIP Spirits Tasting Party and Spirited Stroll on Canyon Road. June 2 is a yoga class with unique tequila chaser and the Chef & Shaker Dinner at Coyote Cafe. Cheers!
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