Things to Do in Ruidoso This Holiday Season: Lights, Music & Mountain Magic

Discover the magic of the holidays in Ruidoso, New Mexico! From sleigh rides and ice skating to twinkling lights and festive parades, this mountain village offers endless seasonal cheer. Enjoy Christmas in the Park, the Flying J Christmas Show, and the Festival of Lights Parade—plus cozy shops, scenic views, and warm welcomes all winter long.

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Ice Skating Rink at Wingfield Park: Ruidoso’s Favorite Winter Tradition (Seasonal, Select Dates)

Dust off your skates! The outdoor ice rink at Wingfield Park returns for the 2025-2026 winter season. Opening day is Saturday, November 29, 2025. A visitor Day Pass is $20, $12.00 for customers with their own skates, and a $20 season pass for Ruidoso residents. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Time Your 2026 Stargazing Trip to Ruidoso with the Year’s Best Meteor Showers

Looking for the best place to see the stars in 2026? Escape city lights and experience the breathtaking dark skies of Ruidoso. From constellations and the Milky Way to dazzling meteor showers, this mountain getaway offers unforgettable stargazing. Plan your trip around the top 2026 meteor shower dates for the ultimate night-sky adventure.

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White Mountain 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. BOOK NOW >>

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Winter Sleigh Rides in Ruidoso (Seasonal, Thanksgiving to New Year)

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.

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See what Ruidoso looks like in real-time

What's the weather like in Ruidoso? Check out the official Village of Ruidoso Tourism Webcams from strategic points overlooking Midtown and Grindstone Lake. View Ruidoso’s daily weather forecast and learn when is the best time to visit.

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Free Things To Do This Winter In Ruidoso

Snuggle in front of a fire. Build a snowman. Take a walk in the forest. Stargaze. Ruidoso embraces winter weather with plenty of no-cost activities to keep your vacation on budget.

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Find Your Winter Serenity in Ruidoso

Escape to Ruidoso's winter serenity in the Sierra Blanca mountains. Relax with peaceful strolls on snow-covered trails, breathe in crisp air, and enjoy a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride. Rejuvenate with spa treatments that soothe the spirit, and cozy up by the fire as night falls. Surrounded by stunning scenery and local charm, Ruidoso is the ideal mountain retreat for a tranquil winter getaway.

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Must-Visit Coffeehouses in Ruidoso: Best Spots for a Perfect Brew

While you're in Ruidoso, check out these indie coffeehouses offering outdoor patios, welcoming interiors with cozy chairs in quiet corners, ample outlets and free WiFi, delicious pastries, baked goods and light meals—perfect for an afternoon or morning pick-me-up.

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Gear Up for Winter in Ruidoso

Hit the slopes, backcountry trails, or town with gear designed to take you wherever you want to go. From winter clothing, to safety gear, or extra layers Ruidoso shops have you covered. Here's where to find everything you need for your Ruidoso winter vacation.

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What to Wear for a Winter Trip to Ruidoso

Stay warm and comfortable during your Ruidoso winter getaway with the right gear. Layer up with insulated jackets, cozy pullovers, wool socks, and waterproof outerwear. Don’t forget hats, gloves, and boots to stay protected from snow and chilly temperatures. Get expert tips on winter packing to make the most of your trip.

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How to Spend Christmas in Ruidoso: Winter Activities, Festive Events, and Cozy Cabins

Experience a magical Christmas in Ruidoso with winter adventures, festive events, and cozy mountain cabins. Hit the slopes at Ski Apache, enjoy the holiday charm of Midtown's lights and find unique gifts in local shops. Relax by the fire in a rustic cabin and explore scenic drives. From snow sports to festive dining, Ruidoso offers everything for a memorable holiday escape!

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Winter in Ruidoso: A Cozy Guide to Culinary, Scenic, and Cinematic Delights

Winter in Ruidoso is a special time. Experience Ruidoso's winter magic with these recommendations for a cozy recipe, a tasty pizza spot, a scenic stroll, and a delightful movie suggestion to enjoy by a fireplace.

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Your Guide to the Can’t-Miss Holiday Happenings in Ruidoso

Light shows, holiday parades, and winter sleigh rides. Here's how Ruidoso shines at holiday time.

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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 of the Festival of Lights Parade and After Party. Pile everyone into the car to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows by Ruidoso area residents. Don't miss the fun!

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Feature film “The Christmas Classic” filmed in and around Ruidoso

Get ready to experience the holiday magic like never before! CC Productions proudly presents "The Christmas Classic," a heartwarming feature film released on November 3, 2023. Filmed in and around Ruidoso, this timeless tale of love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas is sure to become an instant holiday favorite. Learn more at IMDb. Watch now at Amazon.

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Solo Travel in Ruidoso

Don't have a travel partner? No problem. Ruidoso is an ideal destination for travelers exploring alone. Enjoy solitary hiking, mountain biking, or paddling in summer. Ski and snowboard in winter. Ruidoso is a laid-back village with a friendly mountain town vibe, making it easy to socialize and find your way around. Visitors will find plenty of year-round solitary activities.

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Discover Unique Holiday Gifts in Ruidoso Shops

We’ve pulled together a list of some of Ruidoso’s favorite gift shops to help you find the perfect holiday gifts. Choose something special for yourself or someone you love. Discover friendly independent shops with unique jewelry, clothing, home decor, and skin care products, plus Southwestern turquoise, art, pottery, and New Mexico wine and spirits.

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5 Ruidoso Winter Experiences You Won’t Want to Miss

Winter is nonstop fun in Ruidoso. Hit the slopes at Ski Apache, fly down the tubing hill at Ruidoso Winter Park, walk our Midtown shopping district, and celebrate the many events we have going on all season long. Here are five winter experiences you won’t want to miss.

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A Guide to Ruidoso's Incredible Wildlife

Wildlife and Ruidoso go hand in hand. From the quiet appearance of the majestic elk and wild horse herds that roam here to the impressive flight of the bald eagle and the entertaining antics of the bears that are frequently seen, here are some of Ruidoso's most amazing wildlife and some tips on where you can safely spot them on your next trip.

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Ruidoso Winter Park: A Winter Family Favorite

Go tubing at Ruidoso Winter Park. There are lanes for racing your friends and a Magic Carpet conveyor belt for an uphill ride. Adrenaline junkies can descend individually, in tandem — or for the fastest and longest ride, in group clusters in a giant tube. After your chilly thrill, retreat to a warming VIP Igloo to cozy up in with a hot drink and a snack.

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Where to Find Ski and Snowboard Equipment in Ruidoso

From Outerwear and layering to helmets and goggles plus skis, boots, and boards, Ruidoso ski shops have you covered.

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Ruidoso Winter Activities Beyond the Ski Slopes

What to do on a Ruidoso ski vacation if you don’t ski or snowboard? Just off the ski slopes, there are galleries, restaurants, and easy access to multi-use trail systems.

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Winter for families in Ruidoso

Tubing, OHV adventures, sleigh rides — there is so much more to a Ruidoso winter vacation than skiing. The village location is perfect for those who want to hit the slopes at Ski Apache, but with so many activities — both on and off the slopes — including cozy lodging, shopping, dining, and live music, Ruidoso is a winter family vacation everyone will love.

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Winter Driving Tips for a Safe Trip to Ruidoso

Navigating Ruidoso’s winter roads? Stay safe with expert tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Learn how to prepare your vehicle, drive in snow and ice, and handle mountain roads for a smooth and stress-free winter vacation. Plan ahead and drive with confidence in Ruidoso’s snowy conditions.

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Top Winter Experiences in Ruidoso

From downhill excitement at Ski Apache and the tubing runs of Winter Park Recreational Area to horse-drawn sleigh rides through Upper Canyon, here are some of our most popular winter activities.

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Low -Season at Grindstone: All the fun without the summer bustle.

Grindstone Lake Recreation Area returns to low-season operations effective September 6, 2022. Open 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, weekend reservations are no longer required, and while the WIBIT Water Park is closed for the season, you can still kayak, paddleboard, hike, bike, horseback ride, picnic, and enjoy disc golf.

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Ruidoso Cabins That Will Make You Want to Hibernate

A Ruidoso vacation cabin can be a fairy-tale escape — a place to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace or conquer the nearby ski hills. Ready to cozy up to your own slice of cabin bliss? Here are a few visitor favorites to help get you started.

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Wind Rider ZipTour at Ski Apache [SEASONAL, CHECK SKIAPACHE.COM FOR STATUS]

This adrenaline-pumping, three-span zip tour begins above 11,000 feet with parallel cables so riders can ride side-by-side. It also spans over 8,900 feet in length, making it one of the longest in the world while offering a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

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IN THE PRESS: 5 Reasons Ruidoso, New Mexico Will Be Your Ultimate Winter Destination This Year

“Ruidoso is one of southern New Mexico's top mountain destinations during both summer and winter, but it especially shines during the chilly seasons. The town receives an average of three feet of snow each year and has an incredible, rustic atmosphere.” — OnlyinYourState.com

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Winter for families in Ruidoso

Ruidoso is a family winter vacation everyone will love.

To save you some legwork in planning, we pulled together some of our favorite winter trip ideas.

USE THESE IDEAS TO START PLANNING YOUR RUIDOSO WINTER GETAWAY

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