EVENTS CALENDAR
August 2023 Events
Friday, August 4
8 a.m.
BLM Free Entrance Day
BLM Recreation Sites
The Bureau of Land Management waives entrance fees for visitors to its recreation sites – including Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground, and Dripping Springs Natural Area – in recognition of the Great American Outdoors Day.
Visit the website
August 4 – 5
8 p.m.
Viva! El Paso
McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre
The annual performance musical celebrating four centuries of El Paso’s cultural history through dance, drama, narration and song, has been a family favorite since its inception in 1978.
Visit the website
August 4 – 6
4 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Art & Wine in the Cool Pines
Cloudcroft Museum and Pioneer Park
Enjoy regional food, arts and crafts vendors, and wine tasting amidst the cool mountain pines of Cloudcroft, where you may sample wines from many regions of New Mexico, and purchase your favorites.
Visit the website
Saturday, August 5
9 a.m. & 10 a.m.
Arts Lab Desert Peaks
Plaza de Las Cruces
Dark Circles Contemporary Dance presents the culmination of a two-week immersive dance workshop with two free shows providing a unique opportunity for the community to witness the transformative power of contemporary dance.
Visit the website
7 p.m.
Stardust
Rio Grande Theatre
The 2023 Classic Film series presents the all-star adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s adventure novel about a young man who ventures into the realm of the faeries to retrieve a fallen star, only to discover that the star is a woman with a purpose.
Visit the website
8 p.m.
Top of the World: A Carpenter Tribute
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, Ruidoso
The incomparable music of the world-famous brother/sister pop duo, The Carpenters, is re-created with precision, featuring an 8-person band, lush arrangements, stunning virtuosos, and impeccable vocals.
Visit the website
8 p.m.
Nurse Blake: Shock Advised Tour
Abraham Chavez Theatre
Real life nurse, creator, internationally touring comedian, healthcare advocate, and keynote speaker Blake Lynch has amassed over 300 million views on social media with his health care targeted comedy.
Visit the website
Sunday, August 6
7 p.m.
Music in the Park
Young Park
Las Cruces’ free concert series showcasing an eclectic mix of performances from local, regional and nationally recognized artists continues with Siempre and Cautivo Norteño.
Visit the website
Saturday, August 12
5 – 11 p.m.
Las Cruces Summer Beer Fest
Plaza de Las Cruces
The seasonal beer bash returns with 240 different beer selections, along with food trucks, live bands, DJs, activities, vendors and more!
Visit the website
6 – 9 p.m.
Second Saturday Art Hop
Truth or Consequences
Get a peek into the vibrant art scene in Truth or Consequences as galleries, studios, shops and restaurants on Broadway, Main and points in between open their doors for an evening of persuing, shopping and fun.
Visit the website
7 p.m.
Movies In The Park: Minions – The Rise of Gru
Young Park
The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department presents a free screening of Minions: The Rise of Gru, about the early years of the villain Gru who, as an eleven-year-old takes on the supervillain group the Vicious 6, with the help of his minions.
Visit the website
7 p.m.
Fantasia
Rio Grande Theatre
The 2023 Classic Film series presents Walt Disney’s 1940 visual masterpiece, bringing to life classical music via animated imagery, in a colorful extravaganza that remains unique in the annals of animation.
Visit the website
8 p.m.
Little Texas
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, Ruidoso
Multiple Grammy, CMA nominees and ACM winners, Little Texas brought in a new style of country music that dominated 90s’ music charts with all original songs and intricately stacked harmonies.
Visit the website
Sunday, August 13
7 p.m.
Music in the Park
Young Park
Las Cruces’ free concert series showcasing an eclectic mix of performances from local, regional and nationally recognized artists continues with Joshua Lucero and Papayas Con Chile.
Visit the website
Wednesday, August 16
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The Wrap
Rio Grande Theatre
Film Las Cruces presents a monthly film screening for Las Cruces and Doña Ana County artists with work to show, including short films, commercials, music videos, documentaries or time-lapse reels.
Visit the website
Friday, August 19
8 p.m.
Croce Plays Croce
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, Ruidoso
Americana and blues singer/pianist Adrian James “A.J.” Croce performs a special night of music featuring a complete set of 70s folk-rock classics by his late father, singer-songwriter Jim Croce, one of the greatest American folk songwriters and artists ever.
Visit the website
August 19 – 20
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Las Cruces Comic Con
Las Cruces Convention Center
The two-day pop culture nerd extravaganza celebrates its tenth year with panels, Q&As, vendors, workshops, and celebrity guests.
Visit the website
Sunday, August 20
7 p.m.
Music in the Park
Young Park
Las Cruces’ free concert series showcasing an eclectic mix of performances from local, regional and nationally recognized artists continues with Yarbrough Band and Nathaniel Kranz.
Visit the website
August 24 & 25
8 p.m.
Pure Prairie League
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, Ruidoso
Two great nights of the country-rock pioneers performing all of their greatest hits from their illustrious five-decade career, incuding Aimee, Two Lane Highway, Falling In and Out of Love, and more.
Visit the website
August 24 – 27
6 – 11 p.m.
43rd Annual Deming Duck Race
McKinley Duck Downs in Courthouse Park
While the ducks are the main event, lots of other family fun takes place over the weekend, including hot air balloon ascensions, a carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and food.
Visit the website
Saturday, August 26
7 p.m.
Movies In The Park: Minions – Vivo
Young Park
The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department presents a free screening of Vivo, about a music-loving kinkajou who embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend.
Visit the website
Sunday, August 27
7 p.m.
Music in the Park
Young Park
Las Cruces’ free concert series showcasing an eclectic mix of performances from local, regional and nationally recognized artists continues with Metalachi and Flat Blak.
Visit the website
Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The award-winning, outdoor Farmers & Crafts Market spans seven full blocks of North Main Street in Downtown Las Cruces.
Visit the Website
First Friday Art Ramble
First Friday of Every Month, 5-8 p.m.
The Downtown Las Cruces Partnership hosts this monthly event showcasing a dozen participating museums and galleries in the Arts & Cultural District.
Visit the Website
Second Saturday Art Hop
Second Saturday of Every Month, 6-9 p.m.
The City of Truth or Consequences comes alive with local art, downtown in the commercial/hot springs district.
Visit the Website
Les Salon Des Art Divers
Downtown Blues Coffee
Wednesday Nights, 7 – 9 p.m.
Spend an evening with writers, poets, song poets, essayists, and local musicians, including the Blazing Butlers, at a free weekly cultural event for the ages.
Visit the website
Branigan Cultural Center
Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This historic locale hosts changing cultural exhibits, as well as educational programs, classes, and other special events.
Visit the Website
Las Cruces Museum of Art
Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hosting a changing slate of exciting contemporary art exhibits, programs for visitors of all ages and an extensive art studio class program.
Visit the Website
Las Cruces Railway Museum
Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Located in a historic Santa Fe Railroad depot, the museum interprets the railroad history of Las Cruces and the impact of the railroad on southern New Mexico.
Visit the Website
Museum of Nature and Science
Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A museum about looking and understanding – looking up to the stars, looking out to the desert, and looking down to see ancient fossils.
Visit the Website
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Discover the backbone of New Mexico, via this 47-acre interactive museum that chronicles the state’s 3,000-year history of farming and ranching.
Visit the Website
Check the events calendars for more information.
Amador Patio Bar & Grill
The entertainment district comes alive with diverse restaurant choices, upscale nightlife and live music events.
Visit the Website
Amaro Winery & Taproom
Locally owned and operated winery and tasting room, with a Karaoke night, open mic, and rotating list of live events.
Visit the Website
Boneyard Cantina
Delicious street food paired with Icebox craft beer and appearances by local musicians on the main stage.
Visit the Website
Don Felix
Located on the corner of the Mesilla Plaza, with delicious New Mexican cuisine and live music on the patio.
Visit the Website
Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery
Serving craft beer, craft spirits, killer grub and a mix of local and travelling musical acts to chase the blues away.
Visit the Website
Palacio Bar
A neighborhood watering hole since 1936, they don’t serve food, but the music is lively and the drinks are plentiful.
Visit the Website
Truth or Consequences Brewing Company
A cozy little taproom, featuring craft beers and live music on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.
Visit the Website
Vintage Wines
New Mexico wines, beers and cigars in Old Mesilla, with a relaxing patio and live music several nights a week.
Visit the Website
Through Summer 2023
Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Honesty of Construction: The WPA and Spanish Colonial Style Furniture
Branigan Cultural Center
Drawing from the University Museum collection at New Mexico State University, the exhibit features a wide range of furniture pieces that were made during a 1930s community vocational training program that was established in Las Cruces at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (now New Mexico State University). The furniture was made in the Spanish Colonial style that is characterized by the use of Ponderosa pine, mortise and tenon joinery, rounded edges, and decorative embellishments.
visit the website
Through September 16, 2023
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Specter
NMSU Art Museum
On view in the UAM’s Contemporary Gallery, is an immersive multimedia exhibition featuring work by Miami-based artist Cara Despain, who uses sculptural and video-based installations, created with found objects and archival film from the 1940s-60s, to explore the irreversible environmental consequences and hidden psychological and microscopic health effects left in the wake of nuclear weapons development and testing across the Southwest.
Visit the website
Through September 16, 2023
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Meditations on Mentor and Student
NMSU Art Museum
On display in the Bunny Conlon Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery, this exhibition explores the work and intersecting lives of the artists Agnes Martin and Karen Yank who, for nearly 17 years, met weekly as a friendship and mentorship flourished. Featured in this exhibition are a selection of Martin’s lithographs on vellum, and Yank’s steel wall-based sculptures.
Visit the website
Through September 16, 2023
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wild Pigment Project
NMSU Art Museum
Curated by Wild Pigment Project’s founding director Tilke Elkins, and on display in the Mullennix Bridge Gallery, this group exhibition, which originated at form & concept gallery in Santa Fe, NM, brings together painters and dyers, ink-makers and ceramicists, researchers, scientists and traditional cultural practitioners to explore pigments found in plants, minerals and the industrial waste stream.
Visit the website
Through September 23
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Origami In The Garden: Transforming Paper to Sculpture
Las Cruces Museum of Art
The innovative artwork of Santa Fe artists Kevin and Jennifer Box is on display, showcasing a laborious process using the lost-wax technique, through which Kevin transforms both large and small scale paper origami pieces into metal sculptures.
Visit the website
