Enchanted Circle holidays

Holiday Happenings around the Enchanted Circle

BY ELLEN MILLER GOINS

Lulu Cde Baca dressed up to spread Christmas Cheer with Ron Tacoronte and her daughter Shara Cde Back during Alumbra de Questa Christmas Crafts Market.

FILE PHOTO

After a season of canceled events and limited visitation, Enchanted Circle communities and ski resorts are again welcoming the holidays with enthusiasm – and optimism. Events that had been an annual occurrence – for decades in some cases – are again on tap to entertain visitors and locals alike. At press time, however, some organizers were still deciding whether to resuscitate events at all. Check the Taos News’ Tempo and taosnews.com/calendar for the latest updates in the weeks to come!

Questa

Two days after Taos Aglow hits the streets, Questa will celebrate on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 4-6:30 p.m. with a “Light Parade” featuring decorated vehicles and a “Live Tree Lighting”/Decorating event. Residents have also been invited to adopt and decorate about 30 trees along State Road 522, north of the Questa stoplight.

Alumbra de Questa returns Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Questa Visitor Center. This outdoor Christmas Market features arts, crafts, music, a kids’ craft table, and more. Call 575-586-2258 for event info.

Red River

Red River Ski & Summer Area again planned to bring out frozen birds for its Frozen Turkey Race at noon, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25. That evening the community planned to invite visitors to “Switch on the Holidays” Thanksgiving night, to begin 7 p.m. with the lighting of the trees in Brandenburg Park, all

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accompanied by Christmas caroling, followed by hot cocoa, cider and cookies — and a visit from Santa — in the Conference Center.

Scheduled ski area holiday events include the Thanksjibbing Rail Jam, Saturday, Nov. 27. Still on the docket are Ski & Ride with Santa,Saturday, Dec. 25; and weekly Torchlight Parade & Fireworks (#1) every Saturday.

Red River’s Chamber of Commerce is hosting Breakfast with Santa at the Red River Conference Center on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Red River Community House offers a Christmas Eve Worship Service, Friday, Dec. 24, from 5-7 p.m.

After a one-year hiatus, Enchanted

Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe

Area is again hosting its annual Luminaria Tour (#3) Christmas Night, Dec. 25, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Luminarias (or farolitos) are placed along a short loop for a self-guided night-time tour. This year, due to overwhelming demand during past events, participants will have to option of reserving cross country skis or snowshoe at 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Call 575-754-2223 or see redriverskiarea. com/events for current events information.

Angel Fire

Angel Fire planed opening the holiday season with a community tree lighting Friday, Nov. 26, 6-7 p.m., accented with Christmas caroling, a visit from Santa Claus, children’s crafts, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, fresh homemade soups, and more.

At press time, residents and guests planned to shop for unique gifts from local artists and artisans during the Art Up Northern New Mexico Holiday Market scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 27-28), at the Angel Fire Community Center. The event also hoped to have Santa’s visit on Saturday and a Winter Fashion Show Sunday.

After its opening day Dec. 10, Angel Fire Resort is also offering a spate of events, along with new family friendly “snow-play activities” at the base area, such as snowman-making contests, ice sculpture demonstrations, relay games and snowball fights for kids.

Holiday-themed happenings include: Skiing or Snowboarding with Santa (#4), plus pictures in the lobby (with cookies and hot chocolate) on Christmas Eve (Friday, Dec. 24); Santa’s Helpers Scavenger Hunt Christmas Day; and the annual Torchlight Parade and Firework (#5)s on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

To be sure things are still on, call 505250-7150 or 575-377-6353 for event info.

Sipapu

Sipapu is again hosting its Christmas Eve Party, Friday, Dec. 24, from 5-7 p.m. On Christmas Day, the lodge will serve a full Christmas Dinner followed by Holiday Themed Movies.

Call 1-800-587-2240 for more info or see SipapuNM.com.

Taos Ski Valley

At press time Taos Ski Valley had not finalized its winter events calendar, but the resort is bringing on holiday magic with its new Eis Haus ice-skating rink (with rentals) in the newly renovated Resort Plaza that features large built-in fireplaces with seating adjacent to the ice.

Friday and Saturday Dinner Sleigh Rides

from the base area to the Bavarian are also on tap.

For more information, call 575-7762291 ext. 2400 or visit skitaos.com.

Eagle Nest

If you can think of no better way to celebrate New Year’s Day than a refreshing dip in icy water, head for the annual Polar Bear Plunge and Stomp (#2) at Eagle Nest Lake, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Sponsored by Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks, this event kicks off with a Polar Bear Stomp (hike or snowshoe) along the Eagle Nest Lake Trail at 10 a.m. followed by the Plunge at 11 (shoes are required!).

Registration for both events begins at 9 a.m. Call 575-377-1594 for event details.

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