Calendar

events aglow 2021-2022 TAOS HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

Events at Taos Pueblo will be closed to the public for 2021 due to the pandemic, this includes the traditional dances held on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Visit taospueblo.com for updated information.

RICK ROMANCITO/TAOS NEWS Taos received a genuine white Christmas in 2019 as snow blanketed the valley and mountains, providing a blessing for those doing the Matachines Dances at Taos Pueblo on Christmas Day.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the Historic District of Taos and surrounds celebrate New Mexican festivities happening throughout the holiday season. With the falling of snow on candlelit farolitos that line the streets in front of old adobe shops and homes, one is transported to another time and place. Yuletide is the entire holiday season and includes all the unique traditions of the holiday season here in the mountains of Northern New Mexico.

FILE PHOTO The pre-pandemic town of Taos-sponsored Tree Lighting Ceremony featured singing, dancing and a whole lot more.

Angel Tree Project

Now through Dec. 18

The 25th year helping children impacted by domestic and sexual violence, Community Against Violence (CAV) accepts donations of gift cards (or monetary donations CAV uses to buy gift cards), dropped off by Friday, Dec. 18, for families with children being worked with throughout the year. Suggestions for ages 0-7 years: $30; ages 8-12: $40; ages 13 and older: $50. Great local gift card sources are restaurants and fast food outlets; Ace Hardward; Big 5; O’Reilly’s; Randall’s; Twirl; Walgreens; and Walmart. Dropp off or mail to CAV, 945 Salazar Road, Taos; or donate online at taoscav.org. For information, call Loretta Romo at 575-758-8082 or email lorettar@taoscav.org.

Taos Art Museum at Fechin House Online Store

Now thorough Dec. 17

Featuring artwork and many festive holiday souvenirs and merchandise. New 20 percent double-discount to all members. Orders must be placed by Thursday, Dec. 17, to be received by Dec. 25. Free contactless pick up with code LOCAL at checkout. Visit taosartmuseum.org/museum-store.html. Located at 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos. Call 575-758-2690.

IN TAOS, THE SPIRIT OF GIVING ISN'T JUST A HOLIDAY TRADITION...

It's a year-round proposition.

What did Taoseños give in 2021? A lot...

• Taos Behavioral Health helped give 400 young people free summer camps. • Taos High School gave teachers a relaxation room where they can recharge between classes. • Rocky Mountain Youth Corps helped give firewood to Taos elders in need. • Taos Initiative for Life Together gave Taoseños a way to recycle plastic. • Taos MainStreet gave local businesses the power of e-commerce. • Alianza Agri-Cultura gave farmers and landowners a way to connect to grow more local food.

LOR has been proud to support these community projects and many others throughout the year—and we want to do more.

What do you want to give to your community this year? Reach out to

Sonya Struck and let us help you keep Taos aglow with giving in 2022.

lorfoundation.org

Wishing You a Season of Peace

Follow us on Facebook @TAOSCOUNTY.org

36th Annual Yuletide Lighting of Taos Plaza

Dec. 3, 2021, 4 – 7 p.m., Taos Plaza

Due to COVID-19, Taos Plaza will be lit every night during Yuletide in Taos. There will just be no ceremony as in past years, per NMDOTT pandemic mandates.

Lighting of Ledoux

Dec. 4, 5 – 7 p.m., Ledoux Street

The historic narrow Ledoux Street glows with the light from farolitos, luminarias and bonfires. Galleries, shops, and museums are open late, offering holiday food and drink. People gather around the fires and share their stories in the cool starlit night. Read more about this year's event on page 18.

Tree-lighting and Light Parade with Village of Questa and Vida del Norte

Dec. 4, 4-6:30 p.m.

“Light Parade” featuring decorated vehicles and a “Live Tree Lighting”/decorating event. See page 48 for details.

Bonfires on Bent Street

Dec. 11, 4– 7 p.m. along Bent Street

Hosted by the John Dunn Shops and Bent Street merchants. Bonfires and farolitos will warm you up and light the way. Shops will be decorated for the festivities and offer snacks and specials all day. Any evening full of blessings, caroling, entertainment, food and hot beverages. See page 30 for more information.

Alumbra de Questa

Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Questa Visitor Center

This outdoor Christmas Market features arts, crafts, music, a kids’ craft table, and more. Call 575-586-2258 for event info.

Las Posadas

Dec. 16 – 24, 60 St. Francis Plaza, Ranchos de Taos

One of the most popular Christmas traditions in Northern New Mexico is Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration of religious observance beginning Dec. 16 and ending Dec. 24th. The ritual has been a tradition in Mexico for over 400 years. Many Mexican holidays include dramatizations of original events, a tradition which has its roots in the ritual Bible plays used to teach the scriptures to a largely illiterate population in Europe as early as the 10th and 11th centuries. “Posadas” is Spanish for “lodging” or accommodation” and Las Posadas is a traditional play enacted 9 days before Christmas telling the story of Joseph and Mary on their journey looking for a place to stay before their baby Jesus was born. Each day corresponds to one month that baby Jesus was carried in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Traditionally, Posaditas go to different houses each night and are sent away, until the ninth night, when they are finally given posada (shelter). People along the route decorate their home entrances with farolitos to light the way and cook traditional foods like tamales and biscochitos.

Contact San Francisco de Asis Church at 60 St. Francis Plaza in Rancho de Taos. Call 575- 758-2754 or email sanfranciscodeasis@taos.org.

Tenney Walsh, of Taos, lights a candle during lighting of Ledoux.

FILE PHOTO

Breakfast with Santa

Dec. 24, 8 a.m. to noon

Hosted by the Red River’s Chamber of Commerce at the Red River Conference Center. Visit redriverchamber.org.

events aglow

Taos Folk

Now through Dec. 24 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Stables Art Gallery, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, next door to the Taos Inn and behind Donabe Asian Kitchen. taosfolk.com.

Taos’ famous POP-UP store! Find affordable and beautiful handmade gifts by Taos artisans. We have over 75 artists and authors showing new work and books, with about 20 new artists this year

John Dunn House Shops Bridges Project for Education Moxie Fair Trade & Handmade The Giving Tree Taos County Chamber of Commerce Taos Feeds Taos Nusenda Credit Union DreamTree Project Andean Software Golden Willow Retreat Sabroso Community Against Violence CFT Decor and Gifts Stray Hearts Animal Shelter Taos Folk Anansi Charter School Buds Cut Flowers and More Our Lady of Guadalupe boxie tees Stray Hearts Animal Shelter Mudd N Flood Stray Hearts Animal Shelter Community Against Violence Community Against Violence UNM Taos Taos CARES Randall Lumber & Hardware Habitat for Humanity Mountain Home Health Care Shared Table Cinnamon’s Botanicals Heart of Taos State Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales / Talpa Library Twirl Twirl The Ranch at Taos Stray Hearts Retails The Cellar Community Against Violence Unicorn School Supply &Stationery Holy Cross Cancer Support Services Andrew Coe St James Food Pantry Questa Lumber Questa Economic Development Fund Mieshiel Stray Hearts Animal Shelter Taos Retirement Village Community Against Violence Chevron Mining Questa Economic Development Fund Rick Richards, Ski Pioneers Community Against Violence Cid’s Food Market Dreamtree Project 5 Star Burgers Equine Spirit Sanctuary Salon Marjorie Community Against Violence Dorothy Romo-Manning Dreamtree Project Wanda Lucero, State Farm Art & Soul Leshem Diamonds & Gold Taos Men’s Shelter

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parades

Dec. 24, 6 p.m.

Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Sipapu, Enchanted Forest, and Red River A great way to kick-off your Christmas Eve celebrations! Watch as skiers make their way down the mountain in the dark with flares as their only means of light. All the area ski resorts – Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Sipapu, Enchanted Forest, and Red River – have torchlight parades and fireworks during the holiday season.

Christmas at Sipapu

Dec. 24 – 25

Sipapau 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 sipapu.ski/christmas-at-sipapu.

Luminaria Tour

Dec. 25, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Luminarias (or farolitos) are placed along a short loop for a self-guided night-time tour at Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Area. Visit enchantedforestxc.com.

Town of Taos New Year’s Eve Celebration on Taos Plaza

At press time, the Town of Taos had not finalized New Years Eve celebrations. In years past, the Times Square countdown begins at 10 p.m., followed by firewords display by Taos Volunteer Fire Department. Stay tuned. For updates, contact Judy Esquibel at 575751-2031 or jesquibel@taosgov.com.

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks

Dec. 31

Watch the trails of light as skiers with torches in hand glide down the mountain under the starry skies. Firework displays light the winter sky in celebration of the new year. All the area ski resorts – Angel Fire, Sipapu, Enchanted Forest, and Red River – have torchlight parades and fireworks during the holiday season.

Polar Bear Plunge and Stomp at Eagle Nest Lake

Jan. 1, 2022

Sponsored by Friends of Eagle Nest Lake and Cimarron Canyon State Parks. Hot beverages and refreshments will be provided. There is no fee to register. Visit friendsofeaglenestlake.org/events for updated infomation.

Above: Fireworks explode over Taos Ski Valley. Below: Riley Sanderson plunges into Eagle Nest Lake during the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Eagle Nest. FILE PHOTOS