¡Viva Las Fiestas!
Taos has many unique events on the calendar year-round, but in the summer is when their color explodes. Here are some sure bets for a summer experience you won’t soon forget.
May 17-19 July 12-14 July 19-21
Historic Taos Plaza
| Lilac Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civic Plaza Drive, Taos taoslilacfestival.com A welcome to spring festival and open-air expo celebrating the heritage of lilacs. Festivities include a pet parade and costume contest, live entertainment, the vintage Tio Vivo Carousel, self-guided lilac tour, garden center, Taos Taco Cook-off, food and crafts vendors and many more family activities.
| Taos Pueblo Powwow
Taos Pueblo Powwow Grounds, taospueblo.com Culture, tradition, color, unity, song and dance all in one very special event. Hundreds of Indian tribes from around the country come to Taos to participate in traditional dance competitions. Now in its 32nd year, the Taos Pueblo community is proud of the powwow’s longevity and high attendance — very few American powwows have such a strong and lasting history. “A powwow is a gathering of Indian Nations in a common circle of friendship. Indian Country is made up of many tribal nations, bands, villages and pueblos, each with their own traditional tribal beliefs and practices. A powwow is the common fiber which draws Indian people together. It’s a time for sharing with old friends and making new friends; a time for singing and dancing. It is also a time for trading — trading craft goods and trading songs.” — Excerpted from “Around the Drum,” by Richard Archuleta, Taos Pueblo. The event also has food, and arts and crafts vendors. Admission fees (includes camera/video fee): $15 per person/per day; two-day pass $20; three-day pass $25; Children 10 and under – Free. Cash only. Hours: Gates open to visitors at 10 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Powwow ends at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 6 p.m. on Sunday.
| Fiestas de Taos
A centuries-old fiesta celebrating the gathering of generations to enjoy traditional, live Hispanic music while honoring the cultural uniqueness of Taos. No entrance fee. For a music lineup, visit fiestasdetaos.com and check the July 18 Tempo inside The Taos News.
Aug.
Taos Vortex
Kit Carson Park, taosvortex.com
16-18
A weekend of live music and unique performances at Kit Carson Park presented by Meow Wolf of Santa Fe, an immersive and interactive place of art installations, video and music production and reality content. For an up-to-date schedule of performances, visit taosvortex.com.
Sept. 13-14
The PASEO Project |
An experience for all the senses, The Paseo Project is a free, homegrown, mind-blowing spectacle of art installations, performance and projections along the downtown streets of Taos, the plaza and Kit Carson Park. Featured artists hail from all over the world. This annual, highly anticipated event proves that community transforms art and art transforms community.
Sept. 21
7-11 p.m., paseoproject.org Neorío: Universal Elements 4-9 p.m., Leapsite.org At the 11th annual outdoor contemporary art event Neorío: Confluence of Art & Environments, artists and collaborators will explore “Universal Elements.” This year’s theme coincides with the United Nations’ “International Year of the Periodic Table of Elements” and the 150th anniversary of the discovery of the Periodic System. Discover art installations along the rim of the Río Grande Gorge, related hands-on activities for the whole family, afternoon music and poetry salon, a farm-to-table feast, artist talks, an evening campfire and more. Free. Held at the Montoso Campground in Wild Rivers at the Río Grande del Norte National Monument.
Oct. 25-27
37th Annual Taos Mountain Balloon Rally taosballoonrally.com While Albuquerque may have the most famous balloon rally, here in Taos we have an impressive, long-running spectacle of our own. Friday, Oct. 25: 8 a.m. Mini-ascension; 8:15 a.m., tether rides for school children; 5-9 p.m., pilot/ sponsor registration and “Meet & Greet,” no host bar, raffle and balloon merchandise for sale at Hotel Don Fernando de Taos, 1005 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Saturday, Oct. 26: 7:30 a.m., Dawn Patrol;
7:45-9 a.m., mass ascension; 1 p.m., Balloon Rally Parade starts at the balloon rally field on Albright Street and Gusdorf Road in Taos and ends at Kit Carson Park; and at dusk, the “Balloomenshine” hot-air balloon glow. Sunday, Oct. 27: 7:30 a.m., Dawn Patrol; 7:45-9 a.m., mass ascension; and 11:30 a.m. closing ceremonies.