6 January Events to Start the New Year Off Right!

Welcome to 2025 and all that Santa Fe has to offerworld-class cuisine, extraordinary visual and performing arts, access to the great outdoors, a 415-year-old history as the oldest state capital in the country, built on Native American Tewa land, still referred to as O’Ga P’Ogeh (Tewa for White Shell Water Place) and officially founded by the Spanish in 1610. This heritage of cultures has helped shape our now diverse and modern multicultural city, influencing our singular cuisine, art, architecture, and spirit.


Ski Santa Fe

Ski and ride 90 different trails at Ski Santa Fe, just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe. Their new lift, the super fast Santa Fe Express gives you access to entire mountain in just 4 minutes. A fun feature beginning in January is live music on Saturdays and Sunday, courtesy of local musicians on the deck of Totemoff’s Bar & Grill! Consider participating in the #SkiBueno photo contest to win notoriety and prizes!


First Friday Art Walk Downtown

January 3, 5 to 7 pm

By Ken Price, Untitled (From The Plain of Smokes portfolio, featured at the New Mexico Museum of Art)


Bundle up and stroll the historic downtown, including the Plaza and poke your head into the many galleries open for the evening on the First Friday Art Walk of the year. You can also enjoy the lights Plaza and grab a drink and dinner at one of many of Santa Fe's finest bars and restaurants.


WinterBrew 2025

January 24, 6 to 9 pm

Image courtesy of Donnie Valdez, New Mexico Brewers Guild

The New Mexico Brewers Guild brings back a fave event to the Railyard, WinterBrew 2025. Just when you thought winter might get you down, you can sample suds from 16 participating New Mexico craft breweries in your very own commemorative pint glass! Food and live music, too. Get your tix for this event ASAP and tell your friends! Early entry for VIP ticket holders at 5pm. 


Last Friday Art Walk in the Railyard

January 31, 5 to 7 pm

Erika Wanenmacher's Liminal (photo by Kate Russell)

The RAD (Railyard Art District), a cooperative of 9 art spaces, presents the "Last Friday Art Walk" throughout the Railyard on January 31. At SITE Santa Fe, do not MISS New Mexico artist Erika Wanenmacher's what Time Travel feels like, sometimes, a collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, videos, and installations from the past seven years with a punk and DIY ethos, using unexpected materials sourced from thrift stores, dumps, and walks through nearby arroyos. This show and the exciting world-class contemporary art experience opens up the hip Railyard Arts District at night. After exploring, grab a bite to eat at one of several exciting restaurants in the neighborhood.


El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe Mercado

Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm & Sundays, 10 am to 4 pm

The winter Mercado, located inside the El Museo de Cultural building in the historic Railyard District is not just a place to shop, but a true experience. Find local, national, and international folk art, antiques, memorabilia, rugs, weavings, tribal and global fine art, and a wide range of fine jewelry. This weekend market is filled to the brim with over 50+ different vendors, bringing goods from all over the world to our beautiful town. Art, jewelry, books, herbal remedies, textiles, beads, furniture, and MORE!


The Lensic Performing Arts Center

Performances through January 2024

American Spiritual Ensemble at The Lensic Performing Arts Center

Built in 1931, the historic The Lensic Performing Arts Center in the heart of downtown, just off the Plaza, hosts everything from the symphony to movie nights. State-of-the-art production capabilities meet a classic vibe in this 800-person-capacity Spanish-Moorish-style theater. On January 19, The Lensic hosts The Santa Fe Symphony & Orchestra's Music of The Silver Screen, under the baton of GRAMMY Award-winning conductor Richard Kaufman. Also on January 19, Santa Fe Pro Musica presents Brooklyn Rider at the majestic St. Francis Auditorium, just blocks from The Lensic, as well as the Winter Orchestra Concert, celebrating Mozart's birthday and Chinese New Year, on January 25 and 26. On January 21, back at The Lensic, consider Lee Fields & Monophonics with a whole lotta soul, and on January 23 and 24, American Spiritual Ensemble, a presentation of the American negro spiritual. And, finally on January 31, you can see a gentleman called "the hottest guitarist in the world," Miloš, There's always something important and exciting happening at The City Different's performing arts spaces! 


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.