Find a monthly calendar of annual festivals and events HERE.
Find an annual list of festivals and events HERE.
Would you like to tell us about your event? Submit your event details here.
Enjoy a day of live folk music, New Mexico craft beer and wine tastings, regional food vendors, a children’s activity area and much more at FortStanton.org.
Watch Live Racing! It's opening weekend for a summer filled with quarter horse and thoroughbred racing. Our spectacular summer races take place every weekend with a 1:00 pm post time. Admission is free and children are always welcome.
Join the staff of Fort Stanton and the members Fort Stanton, Inc. for their second annual first Mother’s Day Tea fundraiser featuring a Victorian-era tea party, costumed living historians, and a program about Victorian social etiquette. $20 per person, $15 for seniors and students, and free for children under six . Reservations required. 575-354-0341
Don’t miss the Preakness Stakes Simulcast at Ruidoso Downs Race Track full of excitement for all ages.
Memorial Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track features the top two-and-three-year-old quarter horses in the world competing in the Ruidoso Futurity/Derby Trials and $100k Maiden Stakes Final, an ATV Giveaway and the Yarbrough Band.
For a true "western" experience join the Flying J Wranglers, complete with gunfights, pony rides, stage show, gold panning, gift shops and a chuckwagon style BBQ dinner. The Flying J Ranch is Monday through Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on Saturdays September through mid-October.
High stakes racing continues at Ruidoso Downs Race Track during this exciting tournament weekend with the $25k Dash for Speed Stakes, the $25k John Deer Juvenile, and $30k First Lady Handicap. Plus, a slot machine and golf tournament to round out the excitement.
Catch the Parade through Midtown beginning at 9:00 am Saturday morning. Then watch as the teams race their beds back to Zipline Park for a Chile Cookoff. Following the race there will be activities at the park! All proceeds benefit the High Mountain Youth Project.
Which two-year-old becomes an overnight sensation by winning the first leg of quarter horse racing’s triple crown? We will all find out together by watching the finals of the $1-million (est.) Ruidoso Futurity. The simulcast of thoroughbred racing’s Belmont Stakes will also be featured on Saturday with a $500 handicapping contest, plus the $100k Mr. Jess Perry and $100k Ruidoso Juvenile races.
The Bellamy Brothers bring to the Spencer Theater stage their latest compilation that celebrates their 40 year career.
It's Father's Day Weekend and Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino is celebrating with "Family Day" on Sunday. $1 hot dogs, $1 popcorn, $1 sodas and $1 ice cream. There will be stick horse racing for the kids on the race track.
Break out the small rods and reels for young anglers to tests their skills. Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso will be teeming with activity the morning of June 15, 2019, as children line the shore to try out their casting arms.
Come support local New Mexico beer, wine, food, and fun at Wingfield Park! Sponsored by Ruidoso Midtown Association. Tickets at Eventbrite.
The 1st Armored Division Band, under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Moore, presents an evening of military march favorites and patriotic concert music. The band’s historically rich, musically adept ensemble of 30+ soldier musicians & vocalists perform in honor of and dedicated to our nation’s military members serving throughout the world. Free to the public - Limit 4 Tickets
Visitors will be offered a rare opportunity to witness the coming of age ceremony of Mescalero Apache maidens during this annual event. Ceremonial dances, rodeo, arts and crafts, and ceremonial parade are all part of the annual Mescalero Ceremonial and Rodeo held at the Mescalero Apache reservation over the July 4th holiday.
Come out and enjoy ALL the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort Casino has to offer as we celebrate Independence Day! The Star Spangled Celebration is FREE and begins at 3 p.m. with concessions, jumping balloons, live music, and the LARGEST fireworks show in New Mexico. Cost: Free.
Art Loop began as a creative venture amongst artists 24 years ago and continues to be one of the most successful studio tours in New Mexico. Throughout Lincoln County artists will open their studios, demonstrate their craft and discuss their creative process creating much more than simply a vibrant art market
The All-American Boys Chorus is America’s quintessential professional boys chorus, a California-based company of 100+ comprehensively trained vocalists that has delighted audiences worldwide for over 40 years. A select choir of 39 boys, ages 8-14, come to the Spencer, singing a concert designed as a patriotic salute to America’s men and women of the armed forces.
A great family event starting & finishing at Wingfield Park using 2 different running trails at Grindstone Lake in midtown Ruidoso. It is sanctioned by USA Track & Field and the American Trail Running Association. Great Ruidoso carved bears as awards. It is a benefit for the Ski Apache Adaptive Sports & Ecoservants.
This is an opportunity for runners to train in the high altitude and cooler temperatures of the Sacramento Mountains. There are three runs: a 4-mile course, an 8.5-mile course & a half marathon. Each run will begin and end in Wingfield Park in mid-town Ruidoso.
Fort Stanton will be hosting its fifth annual March on Rome World War II reenactment and Living History display on Saturday, July 27, 2019, on the grounds of the fort. Authentic camps for both Allied and Axis forces will be open to the public between 4 and 6 p.m. with a public show battle beginning at 5:30 p.m. Attendance is free to the public, although donations to Fort Stanton are welcome.
This free, self-guided tour offers you the chance to explore behind the scenes of the Alto art community. The public is invited to visit private studios and homes throughout Alto to interact with local professional artists.
The All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs has a purse of $3 million and is the richest race for a two-year-old of any breed in North America. Arrive early as the race track fills to capacity to watch all the exciting stakes race action on closing weekend.
For 50 years, the village of Ruidoso in the southern mountains of New Mexico has hosted riders and enthusiasts for the Golden Aspen (Est. 1969) and AspenCash (Est. 1997) motorcycle rallies. In 2018, the Golden Aspen Rally returns to the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack September 18 - 22, 2019. To learn more, visit MotorcycleRally.com
Embrace the season and join the Ruidoso Greeters for a timeless and treasured tradition, the Christmas Jubilee at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Admission is only $2.00 and active military are free.
Enjoy some family-friendly fun at Fort Stanton! Event includes egg hunt, natural egg dyeing, and prizes! Egg dyeing begins at 11:00 am followed by an Egg Hunt at 1:00 pm.
Families and children of all ages are invited to join our community Easter Egg Hunt to search for Easter Eggs at Cedar Creek Campground while enjoying fire engine rides and a visit with the Easter Bunny and Smokey Bear.Please be on time. The Egg Hunt starts 10:00am sharp!
Come out and join Ruidoso Parks and Rec for the First Annual Bunny Run at Cedar Creek. You are welcome to run / walk with an Easter Costume. We'll have Medals for the "Top 3" Finishers in each division. The Village of Ruidoso, Parks & Recreation Easter Egg Hunt will be right after the Run at 10:00AM. Hope to see you there. Registration fee: $15. For more information call Parks and Recreation at 575-257-5030.
Come and have fun with us playing under the stars! Registration starts at 6 pm. Glow sticks and water provided with prizes and rewards for participants. Entrance Fee $20.00. 2 Full Rounds "Front Nine" . Online Registration at: https://www.quickscores.com/ruidoso
This mind-blowing magic spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. This high-tech extravaganza features: The Daredevil • The Deductionist • The Grand Illusionist • The Manipulator • The Trickster
Join the growing gathering of gospel music lovers at Sacred Grounds Coffee & Teahouse for this unique St. Patrick’s celebration in song. You can now purchase advance reservations online for Chef Zach’s tasty buffet brunch. Ticket price: $15.
Join Ruidoso Parks & Recreation for this family-friendly annual event benefiting the Lincoln County Food Bank. This event begins in the parking lot between the dog park and the tennis courts at the White Mountain Sports Complex and completes one time around the Links Walking Trail.
Spring break in the mountains calls for a BBQ-BEER-WINE Festival! Come experience BBQ from around the country. Mountain Smoke Festival will showcase Breweries and Wineries from across New Mexico. Live Music, craft vendors, children activities, and local favorite food at the event.
It’s that time of year, so give a cheer for a fun-filled day of reading and play! It’s Dr. Seuss day on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Make sure to join this family event promoting fun and reading.
Conventional wisdom has it that Amy Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first CCM artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY Awards. Since then, Grant has been strumming her way through a 30-plus year adventure as a singer-songwriter, author, television host and speaker.
Support the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, which provides weekend backpacks of food to school children living in poverty. Bring $10 worth of nonperishable food items to Ruidoso Winter Park on Sunday February 3, 2019, and receive a free tubing ticket!
On Sunday, December 24, Luminarias in Lincoln at the Lincoln Historic Site. The town will be adorned with luminarias. Santa Claus arrives on a longhorn steer. Hot chocolate will be served.
This original adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic is true eye-candy with outstanding dancers, lavish sets, special effects and gorgeous costumes. Performance proceeds benefit the nonprofit Dalí Ballet. Saturday, December 22, 2 pm & 7 pm. Sunday, December 23, 2 pm. $30
Enchanted Vine & Noisy Water Winery invite snow lovers of all ages to join the party! Live music. NM Craft Beer & Wine. Artisan vendors and local businesses. Snowmageddon bonfire. Fun for the whole family.
Create historic holiday crafts and interact with living historians to discover what life was like at a frontier fort during the holiday season.
Get ready for Ski Apache Opening Day! The mountain is scheduled to open December 7, 2018, at 9 AM. (Weather permitting)
After enjoying the Festival of Lights Parade in Midtown, head over to Wingfield Park for a free Festival of Lights After Party. Beginning at 7:00 PM, there will be food, drinks, an outdoor showing of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, winter activities for the kids, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, and Santa will be on hand for photos. Be sure to join the fun!
Beautifully lit and fantastically festive, the Festival of Lights–Parade of Lights starts at 5:30 pm from the corner of Sudderth/Mechem, through Midtown. The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Toys for Tots and encourage everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Parade of Lights. During the parade Toys for Tots will have a float and will be collecting toys. Marines will be walking along the float picking up the toys that are brought to the parade.
Please come out and kick off the Christmas Season while viewing the beautiful Christmas lights put up by the Parks and Recreation Department. Enjoy Christmas carolers, music, sleigh rides, and don’t miss your visit with Santa Claus.
Bring the kids for this FREE event filled with sweet treats, family-friendly entertainment and spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting. While you’re there, you can try your luck at the casino, schedule a spa treatment, or enjoy a meal at one of the resort’s many restaurant venues.
Put down that fork and put on your running shoes for the After Turkey–Turkey Trot in Ruidoso, a 5K Run-Walk around The Links at Sierra Blanca. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with entry fee of one or more cans of food to support the Lincoln County Food Bank. T-Shirts will be handed out to the first 30 who register as sizes and supplies last.
During the winter holiday season, there are sleigh rides through the historic upper canyon with Grindstone Stables. No snow is required to enjoy a crisp winter evening and the holiday decorations of Ruidoso's oldest neighborhood. Call Grindstone Stables at 575-257-2241 to make reservations, or visit grindstonestables.com
Looking for a place for Thanksgiving Dinner while you are enjoying your Holiday Weekend in Ruidoso? Here’s a helpful list of restaurants that will be open.
Enjoy Ruidoso’s first-class tubing area, Ruidoso Winter Park, with twists, turns, bumps, jumps and bobsled curves and tubing fun for the entire family. Opening day is scheduled (weather permitting) for Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018. Please call to confirm. 575-336-7079
Create historic holiday crafts and interact with living historians to discover what life was like at a frontier fort during the holiday season.
“Carnaval Fantastique” is a celebration of music and action that catapults the audience into a world of excitement and glamour. An international cast combines the thrill of gravity-defying acrobatics, the agility and strength of balance, hilarious comedy, beautiful dancers and dynamic laser special effects.
Don't miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the grounds and buildings of Fort Stanton after dark with its first annual "Trick or Treat" Trail” while interacting with costumed living historians, storytellers, and investigators from the Lincoln County Paranormal Historical Society. The self-guided tours will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, children under 10 are free. Please call 575-354-0341 for more information.
Masters of Illusion, the hit CW television series and America’s largest touring magic show is coming to Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Come get stoked as Ski Apache gears up for an epic winter season at their annual Party on the Mountain, a day of food, fun, entertainment and raffles to kick off the 2018-2019 ski season. It’s free to attend, so bring a friend!
Live racing all weekend in conjunction with our Green Chile Wine and Beer Festival! There will be New Mexico Beer and Wine Vendors in a tent outside the racetrack as well as Hatch Green Chile roasting and sampling and local vendors. A free concert on Friday and Saturday inside the tent will start immediately after the races.
