Where To See Holiday Lights In Ruidoso

As winter kicks off in Ruidoso, the village fills with holiday lights after dark: from the holiday displays in Midtown and Upper Canyon to the festive glow at Wingfield Park from the Festival of Lights Parade and After Party.

Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by Ruidoso area residents. Download the Ruidoso mobile app for iOS and Android today and help choose the winners of the Best Ruidoso Holiday Lights Displays challenge. Don't miss the fun!

 
 

Take a drive through the twinkling Upper Canyon right before your dinner reservation, after you've seen a show at Spencer Theater while having a warm late-night drink, or after you've perused the Ruidoso galleries and shops. Meanwhile, just outside of town, the towering lobby Christmas tree at the Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is an annual selfie favorite. 

Don’t miss these upcoming holiday events:

 
Featured
Opening Weekend: Christmas at the Flying J Ranch (Seasonal, Select Dates Only)
Nov 28
Opening Weekend: Christmas at the Flying J Ranch (Seasonal, Select Dates Only)

Celebrate Christmas at the Flying J Ranch with special White Mountain Christmas winter performances from late November to the end of December 2025. BUY TICKETS!

Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods
Nov 30
Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods

Celebrate the start of the holiday season during this free, family event at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Get a few holiday surprises from our Barnes & Noble® pop-up gift shop before snapping a few pictures of your kids with Santa. Treat yourself to complimentary cookies and hot cocoa while the choir sings your favorite holiday hits. Then, get ready to welcome the holiday season as they light up the Christmas tree! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Christmas In The Park
Dec 4
Christmas In The Park

Celebrate the magic of the season at Christmas in the Park! Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with music, ice skating, and holiday fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive with Mayor Crawford for the tree lighting around 6 p.m., followed by sleigh rides, photos with Santa, and a chance for kids to receive a free toy from Ruidoso Parks & Recreation. Lights on display through January 31, 2026.

Christmas Tree Lighting at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside
Dec 8
Christmas Tree Lighting at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside

Come out for a jolly good time at Downshift Brewing Company's Riverside location on December 3, 2023, at 5 PM for their first annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Look forward to sugar cookie decorating, festive drink specials, live holiday music by the ENMU Choir, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and helpers!

Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex
Dec 13
Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex

Enjoy a festive evening at the White Mountain Recreation Complex on Dec. 13 with an outdoor showing of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, followed by a spectactular holiday drone light show at 8:15 PM. Bring blankets and chairs for this free, family-friendly holiday celebration presented by Ruidoso Parks & Recreation.

The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater
Dec 20
The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater

STARRING THE RUIDOSO ACADEMY OF BALLET AND DANCE. A cast of 70 outstanding dancers will transform Tchaikovsky's world-famous musical score into a brilliant visual dreamscape with spectacular sets & costumes that bring battling mice, toy soldiers & dazzling Snowflake Fairies to life! This opulent coming-of-age journey is a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family! Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, December, 21 at 2 pm. • $42 BUY TICKETS

The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater
Dec 20
The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater

STARRING THE RUIDOSO ACADEMY OF BALLET AND DANCE. A cast of 70 outstanding dancers will transform Tchaikovsky's world-famous musical score into a brilliant visual dreamscape with spectacular sets & costumes that bring battling mice, toy soldiers & dazzling Snowflake Fairies to life! This opulent coming-of-age journey is a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family! Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, December, 21 at 2 pm. • $42 BUY TICKETS

The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater
Dec 21
The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater

STARRING THE RUIDOSO ACADEMY OF BALLET AND DANCE. A cast of 70 outstanding dancers will transform Tchaikovsky's world-famous musical score into a brilliant visual dreamscape with spectacular sets & costumes that bring battling mice, toy soldiers & dazzling Snowflake Fairies to life! This opulent coming-of-age journey is a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family! Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, December, 21 at 2 pm. • $42 BUY TICKETS

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