Christmas Events for Kids in Las Cruces (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

7 min read

The Las Cruces area has 6 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Skate Dona Ana in Las Cruces on November 20 to Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza in Old Mesilla 2026 in Mesilla, on December 24. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in New Mexico, part of our guide for every state.

The short version

  • 6 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Las Cruces for 2026, in Las Cruces, Mesilla and Radium Springs
  • First: Skate Dona Ana, Las Cruces, November 20. Runs latest: Skate Dona Ana, Las Cruces, through February 15
  • Free: NMSU Noche de Luminarias 2026
  • Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it

Christmas events for kids in Las Cruces

3 confirmed events for kids in Las Cruces, soonest first.

Holiday event

Skate Dona Ana

  • When: Friday, November 20, 2026 to Monday, February 15, 2027 (season run, see rink schedule)
  • Where: Dona Ana County Fairgrounds, Las Cruces
  • Cost: $11 per skater, skates included; spectators free
  • Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host

Skate Dona Ana is a covered ice skating rink at the county fairgrounds that runs through the winter holiday season and into February. The host describes real ice maintained with a zamboni, so it stays open rain or shine, warm or cold.

Admission is $11 and includes skates. Only skaters pay, and spectators are free. Each ticket covers a two hour session at any time, so there is no waiting for a session to start, and no reservations are required. The site has skate rental, a warm up area and a snack bar with nachos, hot dogs, hot chocolate, s'mores and candy that you can enjoy without removing your skates. Outside food and drink are not allowed. Birthday and private party packages are available. See the full season schedule on the rink's website for daily hours.

Parent tip: No outside food or drink. Check the posted season schedule for hours on the day you plan to visit.

Host
Skate Dona Ana (IceDays) (opens in a new tab)
Address
Dona Ana County Fairgrounds, 12125 Robert Larson Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88007
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Skate Dona Ana (IceDays) (opens in a new tab)

Holiday crafts

Christmas at the Courthouse!

  • When: Sun November 29, Fri December 4 and Sat December 5, 2026, noon to 7 pm
  • Where: Dona Ana Court House, Las Cruces
  • Cost: Child (infant to 16) $10, adult $20, plus tax; 10% off for 5 or more
  • Ages: Infants and up
Details, tips and host

The historic courtroom is dressed with lighted Christmas trees and large scenic backdrops where families take their own holiday pictures. Guests enjoy old time Christmas music, cookies, hot chocolate, tea and coffee, and kids receive Christmas coloring books with crayons. Elves can take photos on your phone, and an indoor snow machine adds falling snow in front of the outdoor style panels.

Each ticket buys a two hour session, and you can pose at as many backdrops as you like. A professional photographer is available as a $20 add on for three pictures. Sessions run at noon, 2:30 and 5:00 pm on November 29, December 4 and December 5. Children from infant to age 16 are $10 and adults are $20, plus tax, with a 10 percent discount for groups of five or more. Strollers cannot go up the stairs to the second floor courtroom.

Parent tip: Book a session online ahead of time. Bring a phone or camera, and leave strollers downstairs.

Host
Visit Las Cruces (opens in a new tab)
Address
Dona Ana Court House, 251 W Amador Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001
Sign-up
Required ahead of time
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Visit Las Cruces (opens in a new tab)

Holiday paradeFree

NMSU Noche de Luminarias 2026

  • When: Sunday, December 6, 2026
  • Where: New Mexico State University campus, Las Cruces
  • Cost: Free admission; free cocoa and cider
  • Ages: Family-friendly, all ages
Details, tips and host

Glowing luminarias line the pathways from the Pan American Center to Hadley Hall, turning the NMSU campus into a winter walk. The tourism board listing describes live music, caroling, performances and a holiday market.

Inside Corbett Center Student Union, NMSU alumni host crafting for all ages. The listing mentions free hot cocoa and cider, cookie decorating and letter to Santa stations, free photos with Santa, and children's rides, inflatables and train rides. Refreshments are also sold at Corbett Center, the NMSU Bookstore and the Pan American Center. The event is hosted by the NMSU Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs and is billed as a family-friendly celebration. The listing gives the date as December 6, 2026 but does not state hours.

Parent tip: Hours are not on the listing, so check the host page before you go. Dress warmly for the outdoor walk.

Host
NMSU Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs (opens in a new tab)
Address
New Mexico State University campus, 1600 International Mall, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom NMSU Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs (opens in a new tab)

Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Las Cruces? Bring Rally home.

Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Christmas events for kids in Mesilla

2 confirmed events for kids in Mesilla, soonest first.

Tree lighting

Old Mesilla Christmas Tree Lighting 2026

  • When: Friday, December 4, 2026
  • Where: Old Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla
  • Cost: Not stated
Details, tips and host

The Town of Mesilla marks the start of the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting on the historic Old Mesilla Plaza. The Visit Las Cruces calendar lists the event for December 4, 2026.

The listing is brief and does not give a start time, price or activities. It directs visitors to call the town at 575-524-3262, extension 116, or to stop by the Old Mesilla Visitor Center at 2231 Avenida de Mesilla, and to check the town's events page for details. The plaza is a walkable setting with restaurants and shops around it, which makes it easy to pair the lighting with dinner. Because the listing is short, confirm the time with the town before you drive over.

Parent tip: Call 575-524-3262, ext. 116, to confirm the start time and any Santa or children's activities.

Host
Town of Mesilla (opens in a new tab)
Address
Old Mesilla Plaza, 2251 Calle de Santiago, Mesilla, NM 88046 (near Las Cruces)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Mesilla (opens in a new tab)

Holiday lights

Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza in Old Mesilla 2026

  • When: Thursday, December 24, 2026
  • Where: Old Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla
  • Cost: Not stated
Details, tips and host

Old Mesilla is lit on Christmas Eve with thousands of luminarias, the traditional paper lanterns of New Mexico, and carolers sing on the plaza. The Visit Las Cruces calendar lists the event for December 24, 2026.

The listing does not give a start time or price. For questions, call the town at 575-524-3262, extension 116, or check the Town of Mesilla events page. A walk around the plaza after dark is a simple, low cost way to see the luminarias with children, and the historic adobe buildings make a pretty backdrop. Dress warmly, because desert evenings in December get cold, and confirm the evening's schedule with the town before you go.

Parent tip: Confirm the start time by phone, and bring jackets since the plaza is outdoors.

Host
Town of Mesilla (opens in a new tab)
Address
Old Mesilla Plaza, 2251 Calle de Santiago, Mesilla, NM 88046 (near Las Cruces)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Mesilla (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Radium Springs

1 confirmed event for kids in Radium Springs, soonest first.

Holiday lights

Fort Selden Noches de Las Luminarias

  • When: Saturday, December 19, 2026
  • Where: Fort Selden Historic Site, Radium Springs
  • Cost: $7 adults; free for children 16 and younger
  • Ages: All ages, family-friendly
Details, tips and host

Fort Selden Historic Site hosts its annual holiday evening with more than 900 luminarias along the pathways and around the illuminated ruins. Visitors stroll at their own pace, warm up by a campfire and enjoy live music.

The event includes family-friendly activities, and the Luchador food truck sells food and drinks. Entry is by timed ticket, priced at $7 for adults and free for children 16 and younger, New Mexico foster families, New Mexico disabled veterans and museum foundation members. Tickets are sold online through the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Activities are mostly outdoors, so the site recommends dressing for the weather. The tourism board lists the date as December 19, 2026. The fort sits in Radium Springs, a short drive north of Las Cruces.

Parent tip: Buy timed tickets online in advance and dress warmly, since most activities are outside.

Host
Fort Selden Historic Site (opens in a new tab)
Address
Fort Selden Historic Site, 1280 Fort Selden Rd, Radium Springs, NM 88054 (near Las Cruces)
Sign-up
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Fort Selden Historic Site (opens in a new tab)

Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our New Mexico Christmas train rides page.

Las Cruces Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
6 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Las Cruces, Mesilla and Radium Springs
Season
November 20, 2026 to February 15, 2027
Free events
1
Kinds of events
holiday lights, holiday event, holiday crafts and tree lighting
Last checked
See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Las Cruces Christmas event for kids happens

The first is Skate Dona Ana in Las Cruces on November 20; the last runs to December 24. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Looking further afield? Our New Mexico Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

2026 Christmas events are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Las Cruces

In Las Cruces, Christmas glows in paper bags. Thousands of luminarias, each a candle set in sand, line the paths of the NMSU campus and the old plaza in Mesilla, a New Mexico tradition with roots in Las Posadas bonfires.

How Las Cruces celebrates

Luminarias began as small bonfires lit during Las Posadas, the nine-day Christmas tradition that recalls Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. In the late 19th century New Mexicans started using flat-bottomed paper bags with sand and a candle instead. In Las Cruces the tradition grows big: NMSU's Noche de Luminarias reached its 40th year in 2025, and on Christmas Eve thousands of luminarias glow on Mesilla's historic plaza while carolers sing. Locally the paper lanterns are usually called luminarias, as is common in southern New Mexico.

Christmas last year in Las Cruces

In 2025 the Town of Mesilla held its Christmas tree lighting on the historic plaza on December 5. Two days later, on Sunday, December 7, NMSU celebrated the 40th annual Noche de Luminarias from 5 to 8 p.m., with luminarias running from the Pan American Center down to Hadley Hall. Families found free hot cocoa and cider, cookie decorating, photos with Santa, a letter-to-Santa station, train rides in the west parking lot, and performances by choirs, Ballet Folklorico and a mariachi group. The luminarias are bought through the Las Cruces High School Band's annual fundraiser.

Fun facts about Christmas in Las Cruces

Las Cruces is home to one of the largest luminaria displays in New Mexico. In 2022 the campus event lit more than 8,000 luminarias, and Mesilla bought more than 2,000 for its plaza that year. The 2022 plaza tree in Las Cruces stood 42 feet tall with 400 ornaments and 3,600 LED lights, and nine city crew members put it together. Mesilla's tree that year was 20 feet tall and took four people about eight hours to set up, with hundreds of ornaments made at Mesilla Elementary.

Trains and Christmas near Las Cruces

Trains are part of the Las Cruces holiday season. In 2023 the city's tree lighting offered a free park-and-ride from the Las Cruces Railroad Museum, and NMSU's 2025 luminaria night had train rides in a campus parking lot. For a longer trip, the Toy Train Depot in Alamogordo has a mile of park track and model layouts inside an 1898 depot. In Albuquerque, the free WHEELS Museum fills a 1914 Santa Fe Storehouse, and New Mexico Heritage Rail is home to Santa Fe 2926, a 1944 steam locomotive.

  • Toy Train Depot: A park train ride and model railroad museum inside an 1898 depot, open Thursday to Sunday.
  • WHEELS Museum: A free transportation museum in the 1914 Santa Fe Storehouse with model railroads and a golden retriever ambassador.
  • New Mexico Heritage Rail: Home of Santa Fe 2926, New Mexico's official steam locomotive, with free docent-guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Traditions today

  • NMSU Noche de Luminarias: Thousands of luminarias light the NMSU campus on a December evening, with cocoa, Santa and performances; 2025 was the 40th year.
  • Christmas Eve luminarias in Mesilla: Thousands of luminarias light the historic plaza while carolers sing, a family stroll before or after dinner.
  • Mesilla tree lighting: The Town of Mesilla lights its plaza tree each December, with local students decorating it and singing.
  • Plaza de Las Cruces tree lighting: A free evening downtown with live music, food trucks and giveaways, ending with the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
  • Luminarias fundraising: The Las Cruces High School Band and its parents sell, set up and light luminarias as a community fundraiser.
  • Red and green chile at Christmas: Families enjoy rellenos and enchiladas in red and green chile during the holiday season.

A fact for kids

In Las Cruces, Christmas lights are paper bags with a candle and sand inside, and thousands of them glow at once. Long ago, people lit big bonfires to guide Mary and Joseph, and the little lanterns carry on that idea.

Questions about Christmas in Las Cruces

What is the best-known Christmas tradition in Las Cruces?

Luminarias are the best-known Christmas tradition in Las Cruces and across New Mexico. They began as small Las Posadas bonfires, and by the late 19th century people were using paper bags with sand and a candle. Mesilla's plaza still glows with thousands of them on Christmas Eve.

What are luminarias and why are they lit at Christmas?

Luminarias are paper bags holding sand and a candle. They come from small bonfires lit during Las Posadas, which recalls Mary and Joseph searching for shelter. On Christmas Eve the fires were meant to light the way for the Holy Family, and today's lanterns carry on that welcome.

Are they called luminarias or farolitos in Las Cruces?

In southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, the paper lanterns are usually called luminarias. Farolito, from the Spanish word farol for lantern, is the more common name in northern New Mexico. Local usage varies by family and community, so you may hear both words.

How can I explain luminarias to my kids?

Tell them a luminaria is a paper bag with sand and a candle inside. Long ago, people lit big fires to guide Mary and Joseph on their journey, and today the little lanterns show the way and make the night feel warm and welcoming. Kids can count the glowing rows together.

What is Noche de Luminarias at NMSU?

Noche de Luminarias is NMSU's campus holiday night, when luminarias line the paths from the Pan American Center to Hadley Hall. In 2025 it was the 40th annual event, held December 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. It has cocoa, cookie decorating, Santa, crafts and performances for families.

How many luminarias light up NMSU for Noche de Luminarias?

More than 8,000 luminarias lined the NMSU campus paths at the 37th annual event in 2022. The numbers have grown over time, and the Las Cruces High School Band and its parents association handle supplying, setting up and lighting them. The work doubles as a fundraiser for the band.

Who sets up the luminarias in Las Cruces?

The Las Cruces High School Band and its parents association supply the materials, set the luminarias out and light them. The NMSU event buys its luminarias through the band's annual fundraiser, and Mesilla bought more than 2,000 from the band and Los Leones de Mesilla in 2022.

What happens in Mesilla on Christmas Eve?

On Christmas Eve, thousands of luminarias turn Mesilla's historic plaza into a glowing spectacle while carolers sing holiday songs. A local travel guide suggests a family stroll before or after dinner. Mesilla also lights a plaza tree earlier in December, with the 2025 lighting on December 5.

When does Mesilla light its Christmas tree?

In 2025 the Town of Mesilla held its Christmas tree lighting on December 5 at the historic plaza. In 2022 the 20-foot tree took four people about eight hours to set up, and hundreds of ornaments came from Mesilla Elementary. Our Las Cruces Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's date.

How big is the Christmas tree in Las Cruces?

The 2022 tree at Plaza de Las Cruces stood 42 feet tall with a 23-foot base, 400 ornaments and 3,600 LED lights. Nine Parks and Recreation crew members assembled it. For this season's tree lighting date and details, see our Las Cruces Christmas events guide on this page.

What time is the Las Cruces Christmas tree lit?

The tree at Plaza de Las Cruces is lit at 7 p.m. during a celebration that runs from 6 to 8 p.m., as it did in 2023 and 2024. The evening is free, with live music, food trucks, giveaways and family activities. Check our Las Cruces Christmas events guide on this page for this year's details.

What happens at the Las Cruces tree lighting?

Families gather at Plaza de Las Cruces for live music, activities, photo opportunities, giveaways, refreshments and food trucks. In 2024 the mayor reviewed the year's highlights before the 7 p.m. lighting, and the nearby Rio Grande Theatre showed a family movie at 8 p.m. for $5 per person.

What happened at NMSU Noche de Luminarias last year?

The 40th annual event on December 7, 2025 had hot cocoa and cider, cookie decorating, photos with Santa and the Grinch, a craft market, inflatable obstacle courses and train rides. Choirs, cheer teams, Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico performed on stage.

Does it snow in Las Cruces at Christmas?

Snow is rare in Las Cruces, where winters are mild and good for hiking and biking. Locals who want a white Christmas look to nearby White Sands National Park, whose bright white dunes are a favorite family trip. Our Las Cruces Christmas events guide on this page has this season's holiday plans.

What foods do Las Cruces families eat at Christmas?

Red and green chile are central to holiday meals in Las Cruces. Families enjoy dishes like rellenos and enchiladas made with red or green chile, which a local tourism guide calls central to the season. Letting kids taste a mild bite is an easy way to share local flavor.

What is Las Posadas?

Las Posadas is a nine-day Christmas tradition that recalls Mary and Joseph searching for shelter. In New Mexico it is the source of the luminaria tradition, since early bonfires of piñon wood were lit along roads, outside homes and near churches to guide the Holy Family on Christmas Eve.

Where can kids ride a train at Christmas in Las Cruces?

At NMSU's 2025 Noche de Luminarias, train rides ran in the Corbett Center west parking lot. The Las Cruces Railroad Museum also served as the free park-and-ride site for the 2023 tree lighting. Our Las Cruces Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's train rides.

Is there a train museum near Las Cruces?

The Toy Train Depot in Alamogordo is the nearest museum in our list, with a mile of 16-inch gauge park track and model layouts inside an 1898 depot, open Thursday to Sunday. In Albuquerque, the free WHEELS Museum and New Mexico Heritage Rail are also worth the trip.

Where can kids see a steam locomotive in New Mexico?

New Mexico Heritage Rail in Albuquerque is home to Santa Fe 2926, a 1944 Baldwin steam locomotive and the state's official steam locomotive, back under steam since 2021. Free docent-guided tours run Wednesdays and Saturdays. The nearby WHEELS Museum has model railroads and is also free.

What makes Christmas in Las Cruces different from other cities?

Las Cruces keeps the old New Mexico luminaria tradition alive on a campus, a historic plaza and a downtown plaza, with thousands of glowing paper bags. Add red and green chile, mild weather and nearby White Sands National Park, and families have a Christmas with a distinctly southern New Mexico feel.

Sources

  1. Luminarias and Farolitos: Holiday Traditions in New Mexico, New Mexico Tourism Department
  2. NMSU to celebrate 40th annual Noche de Luminarias Dec. 7, NMSU Newsroom
  3. Las Cruces is home to one of New Mexico's largest luminaria displays, KRWG
  4. Mesilla, Las Cruces Christmas tree lightings are Dec. 2, 3, Desert Exposure
  5. Events, December 5, 2025, Town of Mesilla
  6. Las Cruces Christmas Tree Lighting 2024, City of Las Cruces
  7. City of Las Cruces prepares for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, KVIA
  8. Treat yourself to holiday fun, food, hikes in Las Cruces this December, Visit Las Cruces
  9. Things to do on Christmas Eve, New Mexico Magazine
  10. Toy Train Depot, Rally Takes the Train
  11. WHEELS Museum, Rally Takes the Train
  12. New Mexico Heritage Rail, Rally Takes the Train

Las Cruces Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Las Cruces this year?

We confirmed 6 for the 2026 season, and 1 of them are free. Good places to start: Christmas at the Courthouse! (Nov 29 to Dec 5), Fort Selden Noches de Las Luminarias in Radium Springs (Dec 19) and Skate Dona Ana (Nov 20 to Feb 15). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Las Cruces?

Yes, 1 of the 6. NMSU Noche de Luminarias (Dec 6) is a good one to plan around. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.

Where can kids meet Santa in Las Cruces?

Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.

Is anything on for kids in Las Cruces on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?

Yes, two events run on Christmas Eve or later. Skate Dona Ana runs through Feb 15 and Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza in Old Mesilla runs through Dec 24.

Do we need tickets or reservations?

For 5 of the 6 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Las Cruces?

Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Las Cruces Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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