Christmas Events for Kids in Santa Fe (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 8 min read

Looking for Christmas events in Santa Fe this year? We found 6 for kids and families in 2026, including La Luz de las Noches, Santa Fe Desert Chorale's Pop-Up Carols and Kids! Make a Gingerbread House. 4 of them are free. We check every date on the host’s own website, and each listing links straight there. For the rest of the state, see our New Mexico Christmas events for kids guide.

The short version

  • 6 Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe
  • The season runs from Kid's Nature Party: Beeswax Candles (Santa Fe, November 12) to La Luz de las Noches (through December 31)
  • 4 free, including Kid's Nature Party: Beeswax Candles, Kids! Make a "Gingerbread" House and Hannukah Storytime & Craft
  • Every date checked on the host’s own site on Nov 4

Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe

6 events in Santa Fe itself, soonest first.

Holiday craftsFree

Kid's Nature Party: Beeswax Candles

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At this evening craft program, kids roll a festive candle for the holiday table from natural beeswax sheets. The library describes it as a program for families with kids, and it is listed for children and tweens.

The Kid's Nature Parties are a monthly series that explores traditional folk crafts, sustainability and creative eco-consciousness. This one meets in the community room at La Farge Library on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. It is a gentle, hands-on way to start the holiday season, and the finished candle makes a handmade gift or table decoration. The series is supported by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. Email library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-2817 to arrange accommodations.

Parent tip: Evening session on a school night, so plan dinner beforehand.

Host
Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Santa Fe Public Library, La Farge Library, 1730 Llano St, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)

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Coming up on this page

  • 4 Crafts
  • 2 Story time
  • 2 Shows
  • 1 Santa
  • 4 Free

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Holiday craftsFree

Kids! Make a "Gingerbread" House

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Santa Fe Public Library hosts a drop-in gingerbread house workshop on three Saturday afternoons in December. Kids, tweens and teens can stop by, grab a seat and build a small house out of graham crackers, icing and candy. The library provides every supply, so there is nothing to bring.

The program is listed for families with kids and teens, so it works for a mixed age group. The December 5 session meets at the Main Library, the December 12 session at La Farge Library and the December 19 session at Southside Library, each from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Supplies are limited and offered while they last, so arriving near the start time is a good idea. The program is supported by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. Call 505-955-2817 or email library@santafenm.gov to request translation, ASL or other accommodations.

Parent tip: Supplies are first come, first served, so arrive early. Check which branch hosts each date before you go.

Host
Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Santa Fe Public Library, La Farge Library (Dec 12; also Main Library Dec 5 and Southside Library Dec 19), 1730 Llano St, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)

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Holiday story timeFree

Hannukah Storytime & Craft

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This special storytime at the Main Library celebrates Hanukkah with stories and a hands-on craft. The library says it is geared especially toward preschoolers and kindergarteners, though children of all ages are welcome to sit in.

The session runs from 10:30 to 11:15 am in the Main Library community room on Thursday, December 10, 2026. It is part of the library's regular Thursday storytime series, so the holiday theme is a nice change of pace for families who already visit. The program is made possible by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. For translations, ASL interpreters or other accommodations, email library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-2817. Doors to the community room are on the first floor, and the Main Library is a short walk from the Plaza, so it is easy to combine with other downtown stops.

Parent tip: The theme is Hanukkah, so it suits families who want to learn about the holiday as well as families who celebrate it.

Host
Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Santa Fe Public Library, Main Library, 145 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)

New Santa Fe events every week

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Holiday showFree

Santa Fe Desert Chorale's Pop-Up Carols

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Singers from the Santa Fe Desert Chorale join the Young Voices of Santa Fe Opera for a short holiday caroling performance at the Southside Library. The library describes it as seasonal music you know and love, and the program is open to everyone at no cost.

The pop-up concert takes place in the library's central space on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:00 pm. At thirty minutes it is an easy fit for a weeknight with younger children, and the early evening start leaves time for dinner afterward. The Southside Library is on Jaguar Drive on the south side of town, with free parking. Families who want translations, ASL interpreters or other accommodations can email library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-2817.

Parent tip: The performance is only thirty minutes, so arrive a few minutes early to find a spot near the singers.

Host
Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Santa Fe Public Library, Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87507 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)

New Santa Fe events every week

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Santa and Mrs. Claus

La Luz de las Noches

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After dark, the botanical garden fills with thousands of twinkling lights, glowing farolitos and real wood fire pits arranged in themed vignettes. Performers and carolers play along the paths, and seasonal food and drinks are available. On select nights Santa and Mrs. Claus join in.

New this year is the La Luz Express, a g-scale model train that winds through the lit landscape. Activity stations offer s'mores by the fire, cookie decorating and festive games. Complimentary cookies, hot cider and cocoa are listed, along with local Native American artists selling handmade gifts. The garden is open 4:30 to 7:30 pm each night from December 17 through 31, except December 24 and 25. Youth tickets (ages 6 to 17) are listed at $9.95, adults at $29.95, members get lower prices and children 5 and under enter free.

Parent tip: Tickets are sold online and the activities are mostly outdoors, so dress warmly. Check the garden's FAQ page for the Santa and Mrs. Claus nights.

Host
Santa Fe Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)
Address
Santa Fe Botanical Garden, 715 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (opens in maps)
Sign-up
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)

New Santa Fe events every week

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Holiday story time

Santa Fe Symphony String Quartet Holiday Storytime

Details, tips and host

Santa Fe Public Library and the Santa Fe Symphony team up for a Holiday Storytime on Monday, December 21, 2026, from 3 to 4 pm in the Community Room at the Southside Library. The program combines holiday stories with a live performance by the Santa Fe Symphony String Quartet.

The library says the hour is ideal for families with children from birth to age 7, though everyone is welcome. Hearing a string quartet up close is a rare treat for small children, and pairing the music with stories helps keep little ones engaged for the full hour. The Monday afternoon slot comes just a few days before Christmas, a good time for a calm, cheerful outing with little ones. Southside Library is on Jaguar Drive on the south side of Santa Fe, and questions about the performance can go to the symphony's education contact listed on the event page.

Host
Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)
Address
Southside Library, Community Room, 6599 Jaguar Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87507 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Santa Fe Public Library (opens in a new tab)

New Santa Fe events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Santa Fe daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Santa Fe.

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Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Santa Fe? Bring Rally home.

A five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, painted in real watercolor. Turn a few pages now, then save it for bedtime after a big day with Santa.

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.

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

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our New Mexico Christmas train rides page.

Santa Fe Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
6 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Santa Fe
Season
November 12 to December 31, 2026
Free events
4
Kinds of events
Holiday crafts, holiday story times, holiday shows and santa and mrs. claus
Last checked
See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Santa Fe Christmas event for kids happens

The first is Kid's Nature Party: Beeswax Candles in Santa Fe on November 12; the last runs to December 31. 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 Las Cruces. 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. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Santa Fe

In Santa Fe, Christmas Eve glows from the ground up. Paper lanterns called farolitos line adobe walls and Canyon Road, a custom that grew out of the bonfires that once lit the way for Mary and Joseph.

How Santa Fe celebrates

Christmas in Santa Fe is built on light. The word luminaria comes from the Spanish for illumination and first meant a small bonfire of stacked piñon wood, lit on Christmas Eve to guide the Holy Family. In the late 19th century, flat-bottomed paper bags became common, and New Mexicans began setting a candle in sand inside them. In northern New Mexico these paper lanterns are called farolitos. Homes that host Las Posadas, nine nights of singing, prayer and food that reenact the search for lodging, are marked with farolitos.

Christmas last year in Santa Fe

On Christmas Eve 2025, the Canyon Road Farolito Walk ran from sundown to 9 p.m., and the Santa Fe Reporter called it the city's most attended event after Zozobra. The same day, kid-friendly holiday train rides ran between Lamy and Santa Fe. Earlier in December the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi held its Carols and Lullabies luminaria concert through December 21, and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden glowed with lights and farolitos from December 18 to 31. In 2024 the Plaza lighting switched on over 30,000 lights.

Fun facts about Christmas in Santa Fe

In Santa Fe a farolito is a paper lantern and a luminaria is a bonfire, though many people use the words for either one. South of Santa Fe, the paper lanterns are often called luminarias instead. A farolito needs just three things: a brown paper bag, some sand and a candle. On Canyon Road, walkers warm their hands at bonfires and some wear glow sticks and Christmas lights. Crowds cheer when it snows, and some say the lights first showed the way to midnight mass.

Trains and Christmas in Santa Fe

Trains and Christmas meet in Santa Fe every December. Sky Railway runs holiday train rides on the historic line between Santa Fe and Lamy, with a kid-friendly Christmas Eve trip in 2025. The old Santa Fe Railyard is now a public park with 28 gardens, rotating art and a children's play area, and it sits beside the city's rail story. In Albuquerque, New Mexico Heritage Rail is home to Santa Fe 2926, a 1944 steam locomotive that is back under steam.

  • Sky Railway: Themed train rides between Santa Fe and Lamy, including holiday trains at Christmas, though many trips are adults only.
  • Santa Fe Railway historical exhibits: Railroad history on the old Railyard grounds, beside a park with gardens and a children's play area.
  • New Mexico Heritage Rail: Home of Santa Fe 2926, New Mexico's official steam locomotive, with free docent-guided tours twice a week.

Traditions today

  • Canyon Road Farolito Walk: On Christmas Eve thousands stroll Canyon Road past farolitos, bonfires, galleries and carolers from sundown to about 9 p.m.
  • Las Posadas: Nine nights before Christmas, neighbors reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter with singing, prayer and food, and a Las Posadas procession winds through the Plaza.
  • Plaza lighting: The city switches on the Plaza lights, over 30,000 of them in 2024, to start the holiday season.
  • Making farolitos: Families fill brown paper bags with sand and a candle to line walls, walkways and rooftops.
  • Luminaria bonfires: Small stacks of piñon wood are lit on Christmas Eve, the original luminarias, to warm walkers and light the way.
  • Holiday lights at the Botanical Garden: La Luz de las Noches filled the Santa Fe Botanical Garden with lights and farolitos from December 18 to 31 in 2025.

A fact for kids

In Santa Fe, a farolito is just a paper bag, some sand and a candle, but thousands of them turn a whole street into a glowing river on Christmas Eve.

Questions about Christmas in Santa Fe

What is a farolito?

A farolito is a small paper lantern made from a brown paper bag, sand and a candle. The word comes from farol, Spanish for lantern. In northern New Mexico, farolitos line walls, walkways and rooftops at Christmas, especially on Christmas Eve, to light the way for the Holy Family.

What is the difference between a farolito and a luminaria?

In Santa Fe and northern New Mexico, a farolito is the paper lantern and a luminaria is a small bonfire of stacked piñon wood. People often use the words interchangeably, and south of Santa Fe the paper lanterns are more often called luminarias. Usage varies by region, family and community.

Where did the farolito tradition come from?

It grew out of the luminaria bonfires lit during Las Posadas, which lit the way for the Holy Family on Christmas Eve. In the late 19th century flat-bottomed paper bags became widely available, and New Mexicans filled them with sand and a candle, adapting the bonfire custom into the lanterns seen today.

Why do luminaria bonfires use piñon wood?

Piñon wood is the traditional fuel for luminarias in northern New Mexico. Families stack the branches like a small box and light them on Christmas Eve, often along roads, near homes and by churches. The fires lit the way for the Holy Family, and on Canyon Road they give walkers a place to warm up.

What is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk?

It is a Christmas Eve stroll along Canyon Road, lined with farolitos, galleries, bonfires and carolers. The road runs from Paseo de Peralta to where Canyon meets Palace Avenue, and the walk is free. Some people say the lights first lit the way to midnight mass.

What happened at the Farolito Walk last year?

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Canyon Road Farolito Walk ran from sundown to 9 p.m. The street filled with farolitos, lights, bonfires, music and food. The Santa Fe Reporter called it the city's most attended event after Zozobra, and it was free to join.

What is Las Posadas?

Las Posadas is a nine night Christmas tradition that retells Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. Neighbors walk from house to house with singing, prayer and food, and homes that host a stop are marked with farolitos. In Santa Fe a Las Posadas procession also winds through the Plaza.

When does Las Posadas start?

Las Posadas takes place on the nine nights before Christmas, so counting back nine nights, it begins on December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve. Sources describe it as a nine night tradition without naming exact dates. Check our Santa Fe Christmas events guide on this page for this year's Plaza procession.

How do I explain farolitos to a young child?

Tell your child that a long time ago families lit bonfires to show Mary and Joseph the way to a safe place to sleep. Today we use paper bags with a candle inside, like tiny lanterns. Kids can help by filling bags with sand, though an adult should light the candles.

What is the Plaza lighting in Santa Fe?

It is the City's Holiday Plaza Lighting ceremony, held on the historic Plaza at the start of the season. In 2024 it switched on over 30,000 lights, and the Plaza also hosted a Las Posadas procession that year. See our Santa Fe Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.

What did Santa Fe do for Christmas in 2024?

In 2024, Santa Fe celebrated with a Christmas Eve farolito walk on Canyon Road, the City's Plaza lighting with over 30,000 lights, a Las Posadas procession and a Hanukkah celebration on the Plaza. The inaugural Posada Latina Southside at the Santa Fe Teen Center gave away about 800 toys.

Where can kids see lights and farolitos besides Canyon Road?

In 2025, La Luz de las Noches at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden ran from December 18 to 31 with holiday lights, farolitos, food and music. Albuquerque's Old Town and Mesilla also light thousands of lanterns on Christmas Eve. Our Santa Fe Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's options.

What is the Carols and Lullabies luminaria concert?

It is a holiday concert held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. In 2025 it ran at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through December 21, with candlelight and luminarias as part of the setting. It shows how the light traditions also fill Santa Fe's churches.

Is it okay to bring young kids to the Canyon Road walk?

Yes, families do, but plan ahead. The walk is free and in 2025 ran from sundown to 9 p.m., so you can pick a time that suits your children's bedtime. Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes, and keep little hands away from the bonfires.

Why do people wear lights on Canyon Road?

It is a playful custom. Walkers often wear glow sticks and strings of Christmas lights, and it is common to run into neighbors, coworkers and relatives along the way. Crowds also cheer when it snows. For kids, glow sticks make it easy to spot each other in the dark.

Does it snow in Santa Fe on Christmas Eve?

Sometimes, but not every year. When snow falls on the Canyon Road walk, the crowd cheers, according to the Pasatiempo guide. Dress warmly either way, because sundown evenings in northern New Mexico are cold. Our Santa Fe Christmas events guide on this page has this season's plans.

Is there a Christmas train in Santa Fe?

Yes. Sky Railway runs themed trains on the historic line between Santa Fe and Lamy, and on December 24, 2025 it ran a kid-friendly holiday train with prices from $29 to $64. Many other Sky Railway trips are adults only, so check the age rating before you book.

Where can kids see Santa Fe railroad history?

The old Santa Fe Railyard is now a public park with 28 gardens, rotating art and a children's play area, and it sits beside the city's rail story. Exhibit times are not posted, so check locally. It makes an easy stop before or after a holiday walk.

Where can kids see a big steam locomotive near Santa Fe?

In Albuquerque, New Mexico Heritage Rail is home to Santa Fe 2926, a 1944 Baldwin 4-8-4 Northern and the state's official steam locomotive, back under steam since 2021. Free docent-guided tours run Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., so check the schedule first.

Why is Christmas in Santa Fe different from other cities?

It is lit by hand. Instead of only electric lights, Santa Fe uses paper lanterns and small piñon bonfires, a custom that began with Las Posadas. The Plaza still has over 30,000 electric lights, but the farolitos on Canyon Road and on adobe walls are what make the city stand out.

Sources

  1. Luminarias and Farolitos: Holiday Traditions in New Mexico, New Mexico Tourism Department
  2. 8 farolito photos to brighten the holiday, Santa Fe Travel Insider
  3. Stroll and be merry: Canyon Road Farolito Walk, The Santa Fe New Mexican
  4. Gallery: Santa Fe celebrates the holidays, The Santa Fe New Mexican
  5. Eve'n Better: Dec. 17 to 30, 2025 picks, Santa Fe Reporter
  6. Sky Railway, Rally Takes the Train
  7. Santa Fe Railway historical exhibits, Rally Takes the Train
  8. New Mexico Heritage Rail, Rally Takes the Train

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every New Mexico city.

Santa Fe Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 6 Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe for the 2026 season, and 4 of them are free. Good places to start: La Luz de las Noches (Dec 17 to Dec 31), Santa Fe Desert Chorale's Pop-Up Carols (Dec 16) and Kids! Make a Gingerbread House (Dec 5 to Dec 19). Each one is listed with its dates, times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe?

Yes. 4 of the 6 Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe confirmed for 2026 are free. Two worth planning around: Hannukah Storytime & Craft (Dec 10) and Kid's Nature Party: Beeswax Candles (Nov 12). Some free events still need a reservation, so check the host’s page before you go.

Where can kids meet Santa in Santa Fe?

Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.

Are there Christmas shows for kids in Santa Fe?

Yes, two this season. Families usually start with Santa Fe Symphony String Quartet Holiday Storytime (Dec 21). Shows sell out closer to Christmas, so grab seats early if you have a date in mind.

Are there Christmas story times for kids in Santa Fe?

Yes. Library story times are usually free and walk-in; ones with a meal or a show are ticketed.

Is anything on for kids in Santa Fe on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?

Yes. La Luz de las Noches runs through Dec 31.

Do we need tickets or reservations?

For 2 of the 6 Christmas events for kids in Santa Fe, 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.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Santa Fe?

Yes. Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s New Mexico Christmas train rides guide. This Santa Fe guide covers story times, Santa visits, light shows 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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