The Burning The Zozobra’s 100th Anniversary Is Happening This Summer In Santa Fe, New Mexico

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.

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.

You can go to burnmygloom.com and fill out your gloom online to be included in the burning.

As Zozobra burns, fireworks set the sky ablaze in the background. The culmination of this event is as mesmerizing as it is exciting.

In addition to the Zozobra, the event also has food and beverage vendors as well as...

...live music to keep the crowd entertained as everyone waits for nightfall and the Zozobra going up in flames.

Burning of Zozobra is uniquely a New Mexico event, one that has occurred annually for 100 years. Will this be the year you attend?

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.