Enchanted Circle Ski Resort Openings
Giving Thanks in Taos
Distinctive Holiday Gifts
Decorate and Carol in the Christmas Season
Yuletide Arts and Crafts Fair
Taos Chamber Music Group Holiday Concerts
The Lighting of Ledoux
Traditions of the Taos Pueblo
Las Posadas: A Taos Tradition
Taos News Tempo
Taos Express
Events Calendar
Enchanted Circle Happenings
The magical season of Thanksgiving through New Years is affectionately called “Yuletide in Taos.” Whether you prefer to spend your time outside on the slopes or cuddled up inside listening to great classical music, Taos is the place to spend some time during the holidays.
Enchanted Circle Ski Resort Openings
Snowboarding in Angel Fire's Lowrider Park
The Enchanted Circle Ski season kicks off at Sipapu Ski Resort on November 19, followed by Red River Ski Resort on the 23, Taos Ski Valley on the 24 and Angel Fire Resort on December 15.
Whether it’s world class skiing or an outdoor adventure for your family, the Enchanted Circle provides a variety of options. Click here for more information.
Giving Thanks in Taos
Thanksgiving in Taos is a magical time, when the leaves have fallen off the trees and there is a light snowfall on the ground. Restaurants often feature delicious holiday wine dinners and specials. Local museums and galleries will be hosting holiday exhibitions and holiday shopping begins. For information on local fare click here.
Additionally, look out for local benefits and live music as well as the Taos Yuletide Arts and Crafts Fair.
Find Distinctive Gifts for Every Taste with Taos’ Exceptional Shopping
Visit the area around the historic Don Fernando de Taos Plaza for unique shopping, with gifts for every taste. You can find anything from beautiful Native American goods such as moccasins, drums and dream catchers.
Find classic southwest clothing and jewelry, including beautiful turquoise, which can be found in abundance. No visit to this art colony is complete without checking out the distinctive galleries and studios that put Taos on the map!
Looking to make your own crafts? Check out the independent and locally owned textile and craft shops, where you find everything from hand dyed wool to handmade cards. Ledoux Street, Guadalupe Plaza, East Kit Carson Road, Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Bent Street and the John Dunn Plaza are within easy walking distance of the main Plaza. Don’t forget to check out the village of Arroyo Seco, The Taos Pueblo and the Taos Ski Valley for some remarkable shopping as well!
Looking for the day-to-day events in Taos? Check out our online calendar with all the information you need to plan your days in Taos. Click here.
October 15, 2011
Joyride! Timeless Trucks of Taos
Taos is known for its love affair with old pick-up trucks. Join us for this benefit auction for Dream Tree Project; trucks on display and calendars for sale. 2-5 pm. Click here for more information.
Location: Turnstyle Gallery, Ledoux St.
October 20 - 24, 2011
13th Annual International Labyrinth Society Gathering
Return from the Center: Open the Heart of Peace. Explore how labyrinth design, symbol and use manifest inner peace. Click here for more information.
Location: The Kachina Lodge
October 21 - 22, 2011
Taos Storytelling Festival
Showcasing an impressive lineup of tellers spinning their weave in concerts, children stories, a workshop, a story swap and in visits to our locals schools. An all-day event, from 9:30 am-10 pm. Click here for more information.
Location: Taos Center for the Arts
Balloon Glow Courtesy The Taos News
October 28 – 30, 2011
Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
This year's Taos Mountain Balloon Rally marks the 29th year for the highly anticipated northern New Mexico event. Tethered balloon rides for kids, colorful mass ascensions, food, drink, souvenirs and balloon are all just part of the fun. This is a free event. Click here for more information.
Location: The corner of Albright and Gusdorf
October 25 - 30, 2011
Paranormal Symposium
Beam in for lectures, workshops, seminars, Native American dances, tours, films, vendors and other activities related to a variety of paranormal subjects. For more info, call 575-377-2667. Click here for more information.
Location: The Kachina Lodge, Taos
October 28 - 30, 2011
Taos Mountain Balloon Rally
Mass hot air balloon ascensions, parade and picnic, balloomenshine (hot air balloon shine at dusk). Call 575-758-9210 for more info or click here.
Location: Taos
October 29, 2011
Movies at the Harwood: Cave of Forgotten Dreams
A film by Werner Herzog. An expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient art known created by man. 7 pm. Click here for additional information.
Location: Arthur Bell Auditorium, Harwood Museum
October 22, 30 and November 2, 2011
Various Day of the Dead Celebrations
Experience the unique celebration of an ancient tradition as fall nights turn to winter chill. Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, began when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in Mexico more than 500 years ago. Taos continues the tradition with multiple opportunities.
Learn to make your own altar at Two Graces Plaza Gallery, Ranchos Plaza #68 on October 22. “ Making a Home Altar” is a workshop from 11am to 4pm. Call Robert Cafazzo or Holly at 575-758-4639 for more information.
On Sunday, October 30, Martinez Hacienda honors an old tradition and begins a new one. An altar for Dia de los Muertos invites the community to honor loved ones and join in the inauguration of a new collaboration with artist Anita Rodriquez and furniture maker David Mapes, owner of The New Mexico Furniture Company.
After a week of people bringing personal momentos, blessings and written prayers to adorn the altar in an intimate room next to the Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn, on November 2 guests share the mystical experience of history touching today.
Starting at 6 pm, the Taos Inn sets the scene by offering food and drink specials associated with Day of the Dead festivities all over the world.
Location: Martinez Hacienda, Two Graces Gallery and The Historic Taos Inn
November 05 - 06, 2011
Dixon Studio Tour
Come to the little village of Dixon, wander among the orchards and visit the 30 some open studios featuring a full spectrum of contemporary and traditional fine art and crafts. Click here for more information.
Location: Studios & workshops around Dixon
November 05, 2011
Movies at the Harwood: L'Amour Fou
A film about the private life of the legendary Yves Saint Laurent. A passionate and extravagant life, both publicly and privately, shared by his lover of four decades, Pierre Berge. 7 pm. Click here for more information.
Location: Arthur Bell Auditorium, Harwood Museum
November 11, 2011
Veterans Day Ceremonies
Ceremonies honoring all vets, begin at 11am. Black Hawk fly-over with display afterwards. For more info, call 575-377-6900. Click here for more information.
Location: Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire
|
Decorate and Carol with the Annual Tree Lighting on December 2
Photo by Joanne Galka Sullivan. Submission of the Transmormed in Taos photo contest by the Taos News and The Town of Taos.
Ignite the holiday feeling this year with the 25th Annual Yuletide Caroling and Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Historic Taos Plaza on December 2, from 4 to 6 pm. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served while farolitos are lit, the town’s tree is lit and carolers sing holiday songs. Live music will be performed by a variety of guests along with a Yuletide Parade. The little ones will have a chance to meet Santa Claus and express all their wishes for Christmas.
For more information call event coordinator Judy Esquibel at (575) 758-4160 or 737-2643.
Find Unique Holiday Gifts at The Yuletide Arts & Crafts Fair
Local artists, craftspeople and businesses will band together for the 29th Annual Yuletide Arts & Crafts Festival during Thanksgiving weekend, November 25, 26 and 27.
Discover unique crafts and artwork that aren’t available anywhere else. The fair will feature jewelry, clothes, bags, artwork, furniture, edibles and gifts for all budgets. Shoppers will also have the chance to meet Santa, have their faces painted and maybe even win a door prize.
The proceeds from the artisan’s rented tables and spaces in the venue go toward funding the Taos holiday decorations throughout the downtown area.
There is no charge for admission. For more information, call Judy Esquibel at (575) 758-4160.
Immerse Yourself in the Sounds of the Season with the Taos Chamber Music Festival
The Taos Chamber Music Group has two performances this holiday season. First, to usher in the darker, quieter time of the year they will perform ‘Nocturne.’ They will perform with Franz Schubert's dulcet Notturno for violin, cello and piano, Lowell Lieberman's haunting Night Music for flute, clarinet and piano, Johannes Brahms' Trio in A minor for clarinet, cello and piano, Kevin Puts' sparkling Simaku for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, and Glen Cortese's I Dream'd in a Dream for flute and piano (based on the Walt Whitman poem). The concerts will take place on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 20 at 4 pm.
Then, to celebrate the some of the classics, they will perform ‘A Classical Holiday Encore.’ Compositions to celebrate the festivities will include W.A. Mozart’s Trio in Bb, K. 266 for two violins and double bass, Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Trio op. 9 no. 1 in G major, Franz Joseph Haydn’s Trio, op. 11 no. 4 in F Major for flute, violin and double bass, Gioacchino Rossini’s Sonata a quattro No. 3 in C Major for two violins, cello and double bass, and Francois Devienne’s Flute Quartet in G Major, op. 11 no. 1. The concerts will take place on Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 18 at 4:00 pm.
Both events will take place at the Arthur Bell Auditorium at the Harwood Museum of Art. For more information click here or contact The Harwood Museum at 575-758-9826 or nancy@taoschambermusicgroup.org.
Header photo credits:
Taos Ski Valley Girls, courtesy the Taos Ski Valley
Fishing and Rio Grande Gorge, courtesy Michael deYoung
Prayer Flags, courtesy Gak Stonn
Millicent Rogers, courtesy Taos Sacred Places.com
|
Click here to view in web browser
Taos News Tempo
This weekly entertainment publication by the Taos News is a must read when you get to Taos. Pick up your weekly guide to make the most of your visit. A sample of this week's Taos Tempo can be found here.
Illuminating the Holidays: December 1o, The Lighting of Ledoux
Photo by Tina Larkin. Courtesy of The Taos News
In the heart of Taos, the annual Lighting of Ledoux Street, is an annual holiday celebration. The historic street is lit with shimmering luminarias (small bonfires) and farolitos (brown paper bags, filled partially with sand with a votive candle placed in the middle), illuminating the street with a dreamlike glow.
The Ledoux Street museums, galleries, studios and merchants open their doors to visitors where they can enjoy free music, food and other entertainment, and do a little late night shopping. This festive, glowing street party is a free event with an open invitation to anyone who wants to join! The unforgettable event takes place on December 10, 2011 from 5-7 pm. For more information call Lucy Perera, Curator of Education and PR for the Harwood Museum of Art/Taos, 575-758-9826 ext. 105 or click here.
Experience Traditional Dances at Taos Pueblo
Christmas Eve at Taos Pueblo by Rick Romancito Courtesy of The Taos News
Visit the Taos Pueblo on December 24 and 25 as well as January 1 and 6 to witness sacred traditional dances and processions of the holiday season.
The Christmas Eve Procession is a uniquely Taos experience where you can witness a pageant of beauty and heritage that is the Procession of the Virgin. The stunning contrast between bonfires and the procession at sundown leads to breathtaking imagery. Christmas Day is rung in with a traditional Taos Pueblo Deer or Matachines Dance in the Pueblo’s plaza beginning at 2 pm.
Mark the first day of the new year with the traditional Turtle Dance from 8 am to 1 pm. The Buffalo Dance at 1 pm on January 6 symbolizes abundance during the winter months.
Recording devices such as cameras and cell phones are not allowed at the Pueblo. Click here for more details or call 575-758-1028.
Las Posadas: A Taos Tradition
Las Posadas is a longtime tradition in Taos, representing the journey Joseph and Mary had to face when searching for a room in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus Christ. The procession consists of adults and children and takes place on the nine nights before Christmas. A different home in the Taos community lends their house for the night. At every stop a plea for posadas (lodging) is sung in Spanish, with repeated refusal (also in song) until the ninth night, when they are let in.
The procession starts at San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos on December 16 and lasts through December 24. For more information call San Francisco de Asis Church at 575- 758-2754.
The Taos Express
Catch the Taos Express to create your unique experience. This easy, low cost and green alternative to driving yourself, is a non-stop connection between Taos and Santa Fe.
The Taos Express runs between Santa Fe and Taos every weekend and the cost is $10 round trip. NEW: Connections between Town of Taos and Taos Ski Valley during ski season! Check web site in November for details.
Reservations on the Taos Express are required. For the most up-to-date schedule visit www.TaosExpress.com.
Reservations can be made at www.TaosExpress.com or by calling 575-751-4459.
|
