Happy holidays! Here's your guide to winter holiday events in southern New Mexico
Do you know of another holiday event that should be on this list? Let us know by emailing LRomero@lcsun-news.com.
LAS CRUCES - Winter holiday festivities are upon us with fun, family-friendly events planned in Las Cruces, Mesilla and the surrounding southern New Mexico area.
Santa Claus is coming to the Mesilla Valley Mall
Santa will be visiting the Mesilla Valley Mall this year from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24. Parents can bring children and fur babies alike to take their photos with the big man himself.
Vado Speedway Park Christmas Village
Holiday light displays, music, treats and shopping will be available in Vado over the weekends in December as the Vado Speedway Park transforms into a Christmas Village. Santa Claus, Buddy the Elf, The Grinch and Disney’s Elsa will all make special appearances.
People can head over to the speedway park from 7-10 p.m. each night Dec. 2-4, Dec. 9-11, Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 23. Tickets are $10 for adults 16 and over, $5 for kids and children under five are admitted for free. The parking lot will open at 6 p.m. each night for ticket sales before gates open at 7 p.m. The park is located at 15900 Stern Drive in Vado.
Send your letters to Santa Claus at the Las Cruces Railroad Museum
Children can post their letters to Santa this year by dropping them off at the Las Cruces Railroad Museum from Nov. 27-Dec. 18. Through a deal with the Polar Express, the museum will deliver Santa letters to the North Pole. Once the train returns with replies from Santa, the museum will let you know.
Letters can be dropped off Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 351 N. Mesilla St.
2021 Christmas light parade
On Saturday, Dec. 18, owners of show trucks, side-by-sides, lowriders, floats and other vehicles are meeting at 6 p.m. to kick off the 2021 Christmas light parade. Participants will meet in the parking lot near Aggies’ Axes at 1763 E. University Ave. Vehicles will travel along Solano Drive and detour into the surrounding neighborhoods starting at 7:30 p.m.
Las Cruces Museum System's 'Winter Festival'
The Las Cruces Museum System is hosting a “Winter Festival” with winter and holiday activities for all from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. The Museum of Art, Museum of Nature & Science, Railroad Museum and Branigan Cultural Center are all involved.
You can decorate a pop-up greeting card, design a Christmas catapult to help Santa deliver presents and create a candy train. You can also learn about Kwanza, an African American winter holiday.
The Las Cruces Museums are accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For more information, email education@las-cruces.org or call 575-522-3120.
2021 Annual Toy Run
Head out to the Field of Dreams on 2501 Tashiro Rd. Dec. 18 to donate toys for children in need. New, unopened toys will be collected from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vehicles and booths will also be set up for visitors. This event is sponsored by organizations such as Automotive Assistance & Towing, Southwest Mopar and Advanced Automotive.
Las Cruces Chamber Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' at Atkinson Recital Hall
Las Cruces Chamber Ballet and Michele's Dance Academy present their annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” This year’s production features internationally acclaimed Dark Circles Contemporary Dance and two guest artists from Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. Watch the Christmas ballet in-person at the Atkinson Recital Hall on the New Mexico State University main campus. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lascruceschamberballet.org. Performance times are 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 18.
'The Nutcracker' by Borderlands Ballet at NMSU Center for the Arts
Borderlands Ballet with the Las Cruces School of Dance & Music will perform their annual production of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 16-18 this year. Head to the New Mexico State University Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. mid-December to see performances by Clara, Fritz, the King of Mice and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.borderlands-ballet.com.
'The Nutcracker' presented by Ruidoso Academy of Ballet and Dance
The Ruidoso-based dance company will return to the Spencer Theater to perform the Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker,” at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19. The cast will feature over 50 adults and children.
Z’maury Zamora is taking on the role of Clara this year, along with Saddie Hillburn as Sugar Plum and Alora Shaver as Snow Queen and Dew Drop. The dance company will also be joined by international guest artists Eduardo Flores Ochoa, Jonhal Fernandez and Lestter Echevarria. Tickets can be purchased online at spencertheater.com.
Christmas Eve Market
The Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces is hosting a Christmas Eve Market this year for last minute shoppers. Local vendors will be set up from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24 along Main Street in Downtown Las Cruces. Santa Claus will also be on hand to take photos from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pictures with Santa at Red Cliff Homes
Santa Claus will be stopping by home builder Red Cliff Homes from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 18. The business is hosting holiday ornament crafts, hot chocolate and pictures with Santa at 3880 Ringneck Dr. They are also collecting donations of canned goods and dry food for El Caldito Soup Kitchen. RSVP to the event online at redcliffhomes-9095873.hs-sites.com.
YWIC fall semester art camp
New Mexico state University Department of Computer Science’s Young Women in Computing is hosting an in-person camp for young women currently in middle school from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18. The two-day session will allow participants to create “ugly” sweaters using E-Textiles. Participation is free and acceptance into the camp is first-come first-serve.
Students will practice programing in C++ to program Lilypad Arduinos. YWIC will also be raffling off a Nintendo Switch and other prizes. People can apply online at https://forms.gle/77KRHHXPaM9kJEFw6. For more information, contact YWIC via email at ywic@nmsu.edu.
Las Cruces Community Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol'
LCCT presents a solo reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” by board and company member Norman Lewis. The actor will take on the over 20 characters – including Scrooge and Tiny Tim – for a 90-minute two-act performance he adapted himself from Dickens’ original work. There will be a brief intermission.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-19 at the LCCT located at 313 N. Main St. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lcctnm.org/christmas-carol.
Last Minute Christmas Market
The fine arts bazaar hosted inside the Mesilla Valley Mall each month will be set up Dec. 18 and 19 for last minute holiday shopping. Vendors will have a variety of hand-made and hand-crafted items for sale. And live music will be featured Sunday.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Southern New Mexico holiday events are coming. Here's your guide.
