Summer is on the way — get ready!

The heady scents of spring flowers are spreading through the nighttime air of Santa Fe. Lilacs are dying, but their sweet smell lingers, and irises, roses, yarrow and other colorful plants are blooming brightly. Days are longer and the sky, if possible, appears bluer and brighter than ever.

Spring is fading and, yes, the high season of a Santa Fe summer is just around the corner.

If the smells and sun weren’t convincing enough, though, get ready for the weekend. This Sunday, The New Mexican is publishing its always anticipated Bienvenidos, that allimportant guide to summer in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. If you’re not a subscriber, you can buy the paper; after Sunday, Bienvenidos will be available around town, whether in magazine racks, hotels or other businesses.

Inside, readers will find all the information on summer — just what people need, whether they live here or are visiting. It’s chock-full of articles detailing activities and events, accompanied by colorful photographs and essential calendars. Bienvenidos is glossy, too, ready for a place of pride on a living room coffee table.

But it’s more than just a guide to the summer of 2018, as important as that information is. The magazine’s creative director, Deborah Villa, wants readers to take their time with Bienvenidos, linger over its articles and come away with a better sense of Santa Fe.

This year, you will find pieces on the environment of the Santa Fe Railyard on its 10th anniversary, a transforming space that has breathed life into what had been a neglected area of town. Noted historian and writer Dan Flores takes on the wild creatures of our past, writing about when New Mexico was part of the American Serengeti (the topic of his latest book, as well).

There are guides to great lunches and dinners, as well as the best date-night bars in town. Day trips feature an eco-friendly Taos getaway, the landscapes of Georgia O’Keeffe and Acoma Pueblo. As is the custom, there will be the dates of summer Indian feasts and dances, festivals and musical happenings, as well as information about museums, parks and monuments. And Bienvenidos is not just its editorial content; business operators use it to tell visitors and locals about their shops, restaurants and other offerings for the summer. In short, this is a magazine you will want to read, share and keep close by as you plan what to do in the months ahead.

Summer is just around the corner — and with Bienvenidos by your side, you will be ready to take advantage of all that Santa Fe has to offer.