Ruidoso Festivals and Annual Events

Ruidoso hosts many exciting festivals and annual events. Everything from Party in the Pines to the Art Loop, AspenFest to the Festival of Lights!  We invite you to browse our diverse selection of year-round opportunities to experience art, music, and culture that makes Ruidoso such a great place to live and to visit. Find an archive of Ruidoso festivals and events HERE.

Featured
AspenCash Motorcycle Rally at Ruidoso Convention Center
May 16
AspenCash Motorcycle Rally at Ruidoso Convention Center

Beat the heat and find yourself riding the shaded pines of the Sacramento mountains for 4-days of riding, food and music. Learn more at MotorcycleRally.com

Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire at Wingfield Park
May 17
Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire at Wingfield Park

Immerse yourself in the magic of the medieval era right in the heart of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Featuring talented jesters, minstrels, and troubadours, a bustling marketplace with medieval wares, delicious Renaissance fare, and enchanting children's activities. Encounter mystical characters, fortune tellers, and more surprises throughout the day. Don your finest medieval attire and join event host Oso Productions for a day of history, fantasy, and fun at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire. Tickets are available online or at the gate with special discounts for children and seniors.

Opening Weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
May 24
Opening Weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens its summer meet on Memorial Day Weekend with the top two-and-three-year-old quarter horses in the world competing in the Ruidoso Futurity/Derby Trials and the $45K John Andreini Memorial Stakes. Book your tickets today!

Opening Weekend: Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake
May 25
Opening Weekend: Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake

Ruidoso’s unique attraction, the Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake, opens for the summer season on May 25, 2024. The floating, inflatable platform is perfect for family fun, birthday parties, and special events. Come out for the day or purchase a season pass with swimming, boating, fishing, disc golf, and more available at Grindstone Lake, in the heart of Ruidoso.

Tequila and Margarita Festival Plus Stone Larue in Concert at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
May 25
Tequila and Margarita Festival Plus Stone Larue in Concert at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Experience the ultimate evening of tequila tastings, specialty margaritas, and delicious food alongside live entertainment by Stoney Larue! Tickets are on sale on April 4th at RaceRuidoso.com. Don't miss out on this unforgettable night! Learn more at RaceRuidoso.com

Annual Great High Mountain Bed Race and Green Chile Cookoff
Jun 1
Annual Great High Mountain Bed Race and Green Chile Cookoff

Catch the Parade through Midtown beginning at 9:00 am Saturday. Then watch as the teams race their beds back to Wingfield Park for food, fun, and games for all ages. Following the race, there will be activities at the park! All proceeds benefit the High Mountain Youth Project.

Ruidoso Tattoo Expo at Ruidoso Convention Center
Jun 14
Ruidoso Tattoo Expo at Ruidoso Convention Center

Join Tattoo artists from all over the country for three days filled with tattoos, live performances, contests, and more. Get tattooed by amazing artists nationwide, browse vendor booths for unique items, and enjoy watching art in action. Learn more at ruidosotattooexpo.com

Bourbon Fest at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jun 22
Bourbon Fest at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 22, 2024, as Ruidoso Downs Race Track hosts an evening of indulgence featuring bourbon samples, specialty mixed drinks, and savory BBQ delights! The excitement doesn't stop there – get ready to groove to live performances by William Clark Green and Cory Morrow, promising a night filled with unforgettable entertainment. Tickets on sale ApriL 4, 2024, at raceruidoso.com.

29th Annual Lincoln County Art Loop
Jul 5
29th Annual Lincoln County Art Loop

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.

Run, White and Blue 5K Color Fun Run
Jul 6
Run, White and Blue 5K Color Fun Run

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with the Run, White and Blue 5K Color Fun Run on July 6, 2024, for ages 12+. This is the third of six races in the Run Ruidoso 2024 series. The registration fee of $20. Register today (listed under the Activities & Programs tab)

Red, White and Brews at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 6
Red, White and Brews at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Save the date for Saturday, July 6, 2024, when Ruidoso Downs Race Track invites you to indulge in an evening of Beer & Spirit Flights, along with specialty brews and delectable food offerings! And that's not all – enjoy a live performances featuring Wade Bowen, along with Drew Kennedy and Josh Grider. Tickets on sale April 4, 2024, at raceruidoso.com.

Ruidoso 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky's Bun Run 5K and 1 Mile Kids Run
Jul 19
Ruidoso 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky's Bun Run 5K and 1 Mile Kids Run

Come join us and elevate your running with this challenging race event, the fourth of six Run Ruidoso 2024 series races. Register online today!

53rd Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival
Jul 26
53rd Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival

Art lovers from around the southwest make an annual trip to Ruidoso for this juried fine arts show that features over 100 of the nation’s most talented artists, showcasing a broad spectrum of mediums, showcasing collectible art and jewelry.

Billy the Kid Pageant and Old Lincoln Days
Aug 2
Billy the Kid Pageant and Old Lincoln Days

This annual folk pageant with re-enactors portraying Billy the Kid's last escape and the notorious Lincoln County War is a regional favorite with food vendors, live music, food, arts & crafts, and a parade. Don’t miss it!

Alto Artists Tour
Aug 2
Alto Artists Tour

This free, self-guided annual 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.

White Oaks Miner's Day
Aug 17
White Oaks Miner's Day

The town of White Oaks celebrates its Wild West past with a parade at 10 AM, a play at the schoolhouse, gold panning, a chuckwagon demonstration, food, and vendors. Music from noon to 4:00 pm at the No Scum Allowed Saloon, then again from 6:00- 11:00 pm.

Annual Brewdoso Craft Beer and Wine Festival at Wingfield Park
Aug 17
Annual Brewdoso Craft Beer and Wine Festival at Wingfield Park

The Ruidoso Midtown Association's signature Beer and Wine Festival is better than ever, with live entertainment and NM craft beer, wine, and live entertainment at Wingfield Park. Rain or shine, don’t miss it! Come support New Mexico beer, wine, food, live music, and fun during this one-day festival. Learn more >>

Ruidoso Grindstone Trails Runs (4M; 8.5M and 13.8M)
Aug 24
Ruidoso Grindstone Trails Runs (4M; 8.5M and 13.8M)

Enjoy the Ruidoso Grindstone Trails system with three different trail running distances: Half Marathon, 8.5 Miler, and 4 Miler. Start and finish at Wingfield Park in Midtown Ruidoso. Great scenery, fantastic volunteer support, legendary Ruidoso carved bears awards for top finishers. This is the fifth of six races in the Run Ruidoso 2024 series and a fundraiser for the Ski Apache Adaptive Sports nonprofit organization.

All American Futurity: The World's Richest Quarter Horse Race
Sep 2
All American Futurity: The World's Richest Quarter Horse Race

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.

Ruidoso Turkey Trot
Nov 30
Ruidoso Turkey Trot

Put on your running shoes for the 5K Ruidoso Turkey Trot, an annual fun Run-Walk on the Links Trail to support the Lincoln County Food Bank. This is the final race of the Run Ruidoso 2024 season. $30 registration fee via Civic Rec (under the Activities & Programs tab)

Events & Festivals, FAQ, Things to do in RuidosoKerry GladdenThings to do in Ruidoso.