New Mexico Is The Proud Home Of One Of The Largest State Fairs In The Country, And You Can’t Miss It
The New Mexico State Fair, one of the largest and best state fairs in the country, will be held from September 7-17, 2023, at EXPO New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Mark your calendars for one of the best and biggest events in New Mexico. Coming September 7-17, 2023 is the New Mexico State Fair, one of the largest state fairs in the country. This much-anticipated 10-day event will feature rides, games, music, entertainment, food, and so much more. I bet you can't wait for this year's state fair set to be held at EXPO New Mexico in Albuquerque!
Come one, come all! This year's New Mexico State Fair is set for September 7-17, 2023 at the EXPO New Mexico in Albuquerque. Hours are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Since 1938, the fair has brought people from all across the state together to celebrate the state's culture, food, agricultural industry, and creative spirit. Best of all, it's a whole lotta fun!
Each year, Albuquerque welcomes more than a half-million attendees to the fairgrounds, making it the largest event held in New Mexico. On top of that, it's one of the largest state fairs in the country and is also rated as one of the best.
One of the best parts about the state fair is the array of fair foods you can indulge in. Funnel cakes, turkey legs, candy apples, corn dogs, donuts...the list of goodies is endless!
Calories don't really count when you're at the state fair, right? I sure hope not!
The price of admission is $15 per adult and $8 per senior citizen and child between ages 6-12. Discounts for admission will be listed on the State Fair website.
So, who's going to the fair? Are you excited? If you've been to the state fair in the past, tell us about the experience in the comments. For more information including dates, times, and calendar of events, head to the New Mexico State Fair website and give the New Mexico State Fair Facebook page a follow for updates. For ticket information, visit the EXPO New Mexico website.
Need a place to stay close to the fairgrounds? Book a stay at one of the area hotels on Hotels.com.
Did you know that Expo New Mexico is home to the biggest flea market in New Mexico? It's true! This open-air flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. depending on the weather.
Mark your calendars! Aug. 30, 2024, marks the 100th anniversary of the Burning of Zozobra. This traditional cultural event will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and it's an exciting tradition you won't want to miss. This wonderfully creative way to get the community together is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe.
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Burning of Zozobra is a tradition that started 100 years ago. In 1924, an artist by the name of Will Shuster, Jr. created the first Zozobra, a 6-foot-tall effigy. The name "Zozobra" is Spanish for "anxiety" or "gloom."
Over the years, it became an annual event and the effigy grew tremendously in size throughout the years. Each one is now a marionette over 50 feet tall. They are built with wood, wire, and cotton.
Slips of paper are filled out with people's gloomy thoughts, anxieties, and negativities. The papers then get slipped into the Zozobra and these thoughts of doom and gloom go up in smoke when the effigy goes down in flames. This gives everyone a clean slate of sorts for the year ahead.
Will you attend the 100th anniversary of the Burning of Zozobra this year? Remember, it will be held at Fort Mercy Park in Santa Fe on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. Gates to the event will open at 4 p.m. To learn more about the event and to purchase your tickets, head to the official Burning Zozobra website. You should also follow The Official Burning of Zozobra Facebook page for event updates.
Need a place to stay when attending the Burning of Zozobra event? Make a reservation at Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza located less than a mile from Fort Mercy Park.
What plans do you make during the fall months? Do you enjoy leaf-peeping around the state? How about a colorful fall hike? While the state steps into a different rhythm during the autumn months, a whole new world of activities seems to follow. Pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, and haunted houses are just a few of the enjoyable activities we can enjoy this time of year. And then there are the slew of fall festivals that hit the calendars! We searched high and low and put together this list of some of the best fall festivals in New Mexico that are sure to put you in the spirit of the season.
If you've searched for a "fall festival near me," perhaps this one came up for you on the web. Located in Torreon, Manzano Mountain Retreat is hosting its annual Harvest Festival typically from the end of September until the end of October, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Once you find out all that's in store, you'll be making your fall plans to include this event! Bring the whole family and enjoy apples, cider, a climbing wall, family-friendly games, food, tours, and more. What a way to ring in the season!
If you're looking for fall festivals near Alamagordo, look no further than the annual Apple Festival that usually takes place at the beginning of October. Tickets are always nominally priced and it is always a great activity for the entire family. This festival of fall fun will have food vendors, cider donuts, live music, beer, wine, arts and crafts vendors, caramel apples, and even a petting zoo!
For fall festivals near Albuquerque, New Mexico, head to the village of Corrales, a suburb of the city, at the end of September. During this time, the Corrales Harvest Festival will be happening and you won't want to miss it! This fall event has been going strong since 1985 and is a great event to get a feel of the village's agricultural and cultural community. For even more fun during the event, be sure to attend The Hootenanny on Saturday night!
Close to the Colorado-New Mexico border lies the town of Red River. Each year, this town hosts its epic 18th Annual Oktoberfest. This year's much-anticipated event will be held in mid-October, and will make you feel like you're in a Bavarian country. Enjoy live entertainment, a beard and mustache competition, art vendors, food vendors, a kid's zone, and, of course, beer. Don't forget to wear your lederhosen!
To learn more about Oktoberfest in Red River, visit the Red River website as well as the Red River Facebook page.
5. Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas
For fall festivals near Santa Fe, nothing is quite like the Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. This annual festival which has been going on for over 50 years is typically held near the beginning of October when the weather in New Mexico is still nice and inviting. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a 200-acre living history museum with 30 historic buildings surrounded by the fall foliage of the cottonwood trees. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to stomp grapes, pick out pumpkins, make crafts, sample local food vendors, and more. This is a can't-miss fall event in Santa Fe!
One of the most amazing fall festivals near Albuquerque is its hot air balloon festival. Nothing rings in the fall season quite like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This special event is held every October and each year features over 600 hot air balloons in a kaleidoscope of colors. People come from far and wide, not just from around Albuquerque and other parts of New Mexico, but literally from all over the United States and all over the world. It is perhaps one of the best known hot air balloon festivals in the world. Also, be sure not to miss the balloon glow events. They are nothing short of spectacular!
Visit the
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" target="_blank">Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta website to purchase tickets and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Facebook page for updates.
For another fantastic fall event in and near Albuquerque, you can't go wrong with a beer festival! This year's New Mexico Brew Fest will be held near the beginning of October at Expo New Mexico. This is one of the most popular beer festivals in the country and, if you're a craft brew aficionado, you'll want to attend. Dozens of breweries, cideries, and distilleries from around the state will be here. It's possible you'll discover your new favorite brew here this year!
So, will you attend any (or maybe all) of the best fall festivals in New Mexico this year? If your favorite isn't on this list, please mention it in the comments along with any other fun activities you enjoy this time of year. Also feel free to tell us: What are some of your favorite things to do during the fall in New Mexico? What about your favorite Albuquerque fall festivals?
Have you thought about embarking on a fall hike in New Mexico this year? Just remember to download the AllTrails+ app to find some of the best trails around the state.
Thinking about taking a Land of Enchantment vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.
If you’re still in the mood for more New Mexico adventures, take a look at this video:
