January

17th Annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally
Brown Farm Field, Over 90 unique and colorful balloons fill the skies over the Mesilla Valley.                   
Free Admission.  Food vendors and activities. 575-526-7528

February

For the Love of Art in Old Mesilla
Old Mesilla Plaza, south on Hwy 28 on the plaza. Area artists will display and sell their artwork.
For more infor call 575-524-3262 ext 116

March

21st Annual Bataan Death March
White Sands Missile Range The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range,N.M.. The March is in honor of the heroic members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. To participate call 575-678-1134

April

Trinity Site Open House The Trinity site is the location of the 1st atomic  bomb explosion on earth. The site is open only 2 times during the year, the 1st Saturday in April and October. Free admission.

May

La Vina Blues & Jazz Festival
La Vina Winery, 4201 S. Hwy 28, La Union, NM 12pm to 7 pm. Call for admission fees.
Good music and wine hosted by New Mexico’s oldest winery.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Old Mesilla Plaza, free admission and open to the public. The fiesta features Mariachis, dancers, live music, dancing and games. Food, drinks, art and crafts are available for purchase.

Southern New Mexico Wine Festival
Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west of Las Cruces, exit 13, I-10. 12 pm – 6 pm.
Admission $13 and under 21 free, 575- 522-1232 Visitors can sample wine from the many NM wineries. Live entertainment, local food and craft vendors.

June

“Raft the RioGrande” Raft Race and Festival at the River
Rio Grande River, West Picacho Avenue. Homemade rafts compete for prizes. Prizes awarded for the best use of recycled materials. A great afternoon of fun for the entire family. 575-522-5552

July

4th of July Electric Light Parade begins at Apodaca Park at 9 PM. on July 3.  Free and open to the public. A live performance will follow the parade. 575-541-2000

4th of July Celebration & Spectacular Fireworks Display
Hadley Complex, 1801 E Hadley Ave. Call for time. Bring your family and enjoy the fireworks.
Food vendors and live entertainment

La Vina Winery hosts, “Annual Country Picnic and Open House”

La Vina Winery, 4201 S. Hwy 28, La Union, NM. 12 noon – 6 pm. Bring your own picnic (no beverages, please) or enjoy  BBQ or hamburgers. Water features for the kids.

September

Hatch Chile Festival

Hatch, NM 37 miles N on I-25. Something for everyone. Chili toss, chile and watermelon eating contests. Chile quilt and pillow raffle. Chile festival kitchen open, beer garden, carnival food and fun.  Fresh roasted Hatch green chile.

New Mexico Wine Harvest Wine Festival

Southern New Mexico Fairground, just 12 miles west of Las Cruces on I-10 exit 127 & 132.

A celebration of the grape harvest. Grape stomping and wine tasting. Festival features arts and craft vendors, hourly wine seminars and live entertainment.

The Whole Enchilada Fiesta

Hadley Complex, 1801 E. Hadley Ave. and baseball complex.  Las Cruces hosts one big street party, with plenty of food, dancing, a parade and the making of the world’s largest enchilada! Call for times and admission fees. 575-526-1938

Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo

Southern New Mexico Fairground, 12 miles west of Las Cruces, I-10 exit 127 or 132. Call for time, schedule and admission fess. 575-524-8602

October

Trinity Site Open House

White Sands Missile Range, Stallion gate off Hwy 380.  The Trinity site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion on earth. The site is open to the public only 2 times a year the first Saturday of April and October.

November

Renaissance ArtsFaire
Young Park, 1905 E. Nevada Ave. Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. $5.00 adults, $2.00 12 – 16  years of age and under 12 free. 575-523-6403 Spend a weekend with Kings and Queens. Live entertainment, food and beverages.

International Mariachi Student Showcase Conference
New Mexico State University Pan American Center, on University Ave. Friday Student Showcase 7:30 pm  – 9:30 pm.  Saturday 7:30 pm featuring well known mariachi performers.  575-525-1735.

December

Fiesta of our Lady of Guadalupe

This religious and cultural fiesta has taken place in the Mesilla Valley for over 100 years. The traditional ceremonies and dancing  takes  place in the village of the  Tortugas.

Lighting of Christmas Tree by City of Las Cruces

Location TBA. Free and open to the public. Come have fun with your family and enjoy some hot chocolate. Call for time. 575-541-2000

Lighting of Christmas Tree and Shopping late in Mesilla (always the second Friday) Old Mesilla Plaza, south on Hwy 28. 6 pm.Free and open to the public. Thousands of luminaries will light up the plaza and surrounding the streets in Mesilla. 575-524-9649

December 24 Christmas Carols & Luminarias on  the Plaza in Old Mesilla 5:30 pm to 7:30