The Ultimate Guide to Summer Festivals and Events in Ruidoso

Ruidoso’s social calendar is packed with music festivals, outdoor concerts, art fests, running races, and more all summer. Don’t miss a beat with this handy guide that covers the best Ruidoso festivals and annual events happening each month. Start making your travel plans now.

Check out these Ruidoso outdoor concerts and annual events set for summer 2025 Find a monthly calendar of annual festivals and events HERE.

Featured
Ruidoso Tattoo Expo at Ruidoso Convention Center
Jun 13
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

Annual Youth Fishing Day at Grindstone Lake
Jun 14
Annual Youth Fishing Day at Grindstone Lake

Break out the small rods and reels for young anglers to test their skills at the 30th Youth Fishing Day held at Grindstone Lake on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 8 am to 1 pm. as children line the shore to try their casting arms. Don't miss out on the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime! This event is free and open to children 12 and younger.

Annual Taste Of The Spencer Fundraising Party
Jun 21
Annual Taste Of The Spencer Fundraising Party

Join the 18th Annual Taste of the Spencer fundraiser on Sat, June 21 at 6 PM! Enjoy a luxurious filet mignon & lobster tail dinner with fine wines while supporting the arts. Tickets are $145 for this elegant evening of food, fun, and philanthropy at the Spencer Theater. Everyone’s invited—your support makes all the difference! BUY TICKETS >>

Smokey Bear Stampede
Jul 2
Smokey Bear Stampede

Eight rodeos in four days! The nation’s largest open rodeo weekend includes four nightly rodeos, a two-day ranch rodeo, a youth ranch rodeo, a kid’s rough stock rodeo, a cook-off, kids’ events, and nightly dances. On July 4th, enjoy a full day of Independence celebration with a campfire Dutch oven competition, mutton bustin’, steer riding, evening rodeo, live music, and dance. You don’t want to miss this annual 4th of July celebration! smokeybearstampede.com

30th Annual Lincoln County Art Loop
Jul 4
30th 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 & Blue – 5k Color Run or Walk at Moon Mountain Recreation Area
Jul 5
Run White & Blue – 5k Color Run or Walk at Moon Mountain Recreation Area

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with the Run White & Blue 5K Color Run and Walk—part of the Run Ruidoso 2025race series! Join us at 8 AM at Moon Mountain for a fun, family-friendly run with chalk stations, medal prizes, and T-shirt giveaways. $25 entry helps supports the Lincoln County Food Bank. Register online via the Activities & Programs tab with on-site registration starting at 7 AM. Color, community, and a cause—don’t miss it!

All American Tailgate and Drone Light Show
Jul 5
All American Tailgate and Drone Light Show

See 150 drones take flight in a patriotic-themed aerial drone show featuring a 300-foot-tall Statue of Liberty, fireworks, an eagle, and other iconic American images. Meet family and friends for a pre-show tailgate and enjoy FREE family-friendly activities and entertainment starting at 5:00 PM.

RAINBOW WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 12
RAINBOW WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Experience Rainbow Weekend on July 12-13 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, featuring over $2.3 million in purse money. The Rainbow QH Derby, Oaks, and Invitational Stakes showcase top three-year-olds on Saturday, while Sunday’s Futurity and Juvenile Stakes highlight elite two-year-olds. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!

Ruidoso 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky's Bun Run 5K and 1 Mile Kids Run
Jul 18
Ruidoso 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky's Bun Run 5K and 1 Mile Kids Run

Join us for the 6th Annual Ruidoso Marathon Weekend! Featuring the Marathon, Half Marathon, Schlotzsky’s Deli 5K Bun Run, Kids 1K Mini Bun Run, and the State-Forty-Seven Road 47K/50K—New Mexico’s only road 50K. Race through Ruidoso’s scenic, high-elevation terrain. Elevate your running with this challenging race event, the fourth of six Run Ruidoso 2025 series races. Register online today!

ZIA WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Jul 19
ZIA WEEKEND at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Experience the Zia Festival Weekend on July 19-20 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, showcasing New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses with over $700,000 in purse money. Featured races include the Zia QH Derby, Futurity, Stakes, 870 Championship, and Juvenile Finals, with distances from 400 to 870 yards. Don’t miss this high-stakes racing event, part of the 46-day summer season!

54th Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival
Jul 25
54th 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 1
Billy the Kid Pageant and Old Lincoln Days

The 2025 Billy the Kid Pageant brings history to life in Lincoln, NM, with performances on August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This folk play, first staged in 1940, reenacts key moments of the Lincoln County War, including Billy the Kid’s daring escape. Featuring local volunteer actors, many of whom are descendants of past participants, the event offers an authentic Old West experience. Tickets are available only at the gate.

Events & Festivals, Entertainment experiences, Summer, Things to do in RuidosoEditorsfamily fun, things to do in ruidoso, live music, Entertainment, things to do with friends, summer events, summer