December 2023 Events
Friday, December 1
10 a.m.
Orange Ribbon Cutting
Doña Ana Arts Council
National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Executive Director, Zack Quintero will finalize a partnership with the Doña Ana Arts Council (DAAC) with a ribbon cutting, officially marking the inclusion of DAAC into the Cultural Ambassador Program.
Visit the website
December 1 – 17
8 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Ben-Hur
Black Box Theatre
No Strings Theatre Company presents the timeless story condensed down, as an amateur theatre troupe produces the epic tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hurt, who falls to galley slave, then rises to champion charioteer in Jerusalem.
Visit the website
7:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
The Sound of Music
Las Cruces Community Theatre
The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on a true story, a nun is sent off to be governess to seven troublesome children, and later their savior when Nazis invade their country of Austria.
Visit the website
Saturday, December 2
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Christmas in the Foothills
Hillsboro Community Center
The town of Hillsboro invites one and all to their annual pre-Christmas tradition, marked by decked out homes, downtown merchants, and restaurants turning the little mountain town into a holiday wonderland, complete with an art sale, raffles, food and vendors.
Visit the website
6 – 8 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Plaza de Las Cruces
Downtown Las Cruces gets into the holiday spirit when the City of Las Cruces hosts its free annual event, featuring live music, giveaways, refreshments, activities for the entire family, and, most importantly of all, a visit with old St. Nick.
Visit the website
December 2 – 3
7 p.m.
Journey Down the Gila
Fountain Theatre, Mesilla
A feature length documentary exploring grief, renewal and hope along the Gila River, telling the story of three New Mexico teens who died in service to the wild places they loved, their mothers’ trip down the river they sought to protect, and the struggle to keep the Gila flowing free.
Visit the website
7:30 & 3 p.m.
Classics 2
Atkinson Recital Hall, NMSU
The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Choir Spectacular with Handel’s The Messiah, under the direction of LCSO conductor Ming Luke.
Visit the website
Sunday, December 3
3 p.m.
Mesilla Valley Chorale: Swinging Into Christmas
Rio Grande Theatre
Enjoy all your favorite holiday songs, as the Mesilla Valley Chorale presents seasonal favorites such as Christmas Time is Here, Eight Days of Lights, Feliz Navidad, Go Tell It on the Mountain, O Holy Night. Swing into Christmas, and many more.
Visit the website
5 – 8 p.m.
Noche de Luminarias
NMSU Campus
The New Mexico State University campus becomes a winter wonderland when thousands of lights and luminarias line the walkways, with refreshment stations giving out hot cocoa and cider, horse-drawn carriage rides offered, and more.
Visit the website
Wednesday, December 6
8 p.m.
Queens of the Stone Age
Abraham Chavez Theatre
The alternative rock band from Seattle continues its The End Is Nero Tour, in support of their eighth studio album In Times New Roman…, with special guest Spiritualized.
Visit the website
December 6 – 9
5:30 a.m.
Festival of the Cranes
Bosque del Apache
Celebrate the return of the Sandhill Cranes to their winter home, with fun things to do for the entire family, including the Expo Tent, premium photography seminars, exciting birding seminars, and the Wildlife Zone.
Visit the website
Friday, December 8
5 – 8 p.m.
Holiday at the Depot
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
Visit the museum during their special evening open house, and enjoy the sparkle of winter and holiday decorations as night falls, and Santa Claus arrives to thrill the kiddies.
Visit the website
8 p.m.
Blue October
Abraham Chavez Theatre
The platinum-certified alternative quartet from Houston continue their creative renaissance as they hit the road in support of their eleventh studio album and first double LP, Spinning The Truth Around: Part 1 & 2.
Visit the website
December 8 – 10
7 p.m., 2 p.m.
The Nutcracker
ASNMU Center for the Arts
Borderlands Ballet Company joins forces with the Paso del Norte Chamber Orchestra in bringing to life the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
Visit the website
Saturday, December 9
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
December 10 – 12
TBD
Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Tortugas Pueblo
The annual religious celebration begins with the procession of the image of La Virgen de Guadalupe to the Casa del Pueblo on Sunday, includes the pilgrimage up Tortugas “A” Mountain on Monday, and culminates with dancing by matachines groups and the procession of La Virgen back to the church, on Tuesday.
Visit the website
Monday, December 11
6 p.m.
Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour
Abraham Chavez Theatre
Get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special.
Visit the website
December 12 – 17
Multiple Times
Les Misérables
Plaza Theatre
Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption in the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon.
Visit the website
Friday, December 15
5 – 9 p.m.
Luminarias in the Historic Doña Ana Village
Doña Ana Village
The Doña Ana Village Association presents its annual free event with hundreds of luminarias lining the plaza and historic road, along with food, hot chocolate, vendors, art, resources, and tours.
Visit the website
December 15 – 17
7 p.m., 2 p.m.
The Nutcracker
ASNMU Center for the Arts
Borderlands Ballet Company joins forces with the Paso del Norte Chamber Orchestra in bringing to life the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
Visit the website
Saturday, December 16
6 – 10 p.m.
Navidad De La Fe Luminarias
The Christmas spirits of hope and giving come alive when 4,000 luminarias are lit at nightfall along El Paso’s Scenic Drive, guiding vehicles slowly westward to a rendezvous with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Participants are asked to bring nutritious, unexpired canned and non-perishable foods or cash donations to help El Paso families in need.
Visit the website
Tuesday, December 19
4 – 8 p.m.
Farm La-La
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
The museum’s second annual event, featuring thousands of Christmas lights, trolley rides, crafts, s’mores, hot chocolate, and craft activities provided by the Doña Ana County 4-H members. Admission is only $5 per family and includes access to all of the museum’s exhibits.
Visit the website
8 p.m.
A Drag Queen Christmas
Plaza Theatre
Hosted by Miz Cracker, the tour includes performances by Netflix superstar Alyssa Edwards, Brooke Lynn Hytes host of Canada’s Drag Race, Sasha Colby, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, Crystal Methyd, Jimbo The Drag Clown and Jessica Wild both currently competing on All Stars 8 on Paramount+, Heidi N Closet, Luxx Noir London, Marcia Marcia Marcia, fan favorite Trinity The Tuck and a very special guest performance by Todrick Hall.
Visit the website
Wednesday, December 20
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, December 22
7:30 p.m.
Atomic Comedy
Rio Grande Theatre
The Atomic Comedy Company brings America’s hottest comics from television, movies, sitcoms, and streaming to Las Cruces, featuring host John Padon and new guests every other month.
Visit the website
Friday, December 23
7 p.m.
Merry-achi Christmas
Plaza Theatre
The 13-piece ensemble Mariachi Sol de Mexico returns with all the joyous strings, horns, guitars, emotional vocals, colorful traditional outfits and Grammy-nominated cultural heritage the season can muster.
Visit the website
Saturday, December 24
5 – 7 p.m.
Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza
Mesilla Plaza
On the eve before Christmas, thousands of luminarias line the streets of Mesilla, while on the Plaza, carolers sing, vigils are held and hot chocolate and cookies are consumed to celebrate the season with simple, no-frills joy and good will.
Visit the website
Tuesday, December 26
3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
Plaza Theatre
Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-than-life puppets, breath-taking acrobatics, dazzling costumes., and the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique.
Visit the website
Sunday, December 31
9 p.m.
Las Cruces Chile Drop
Plaza de Las Cruces
The Downtown Las Cruces Partnership presents this annual event, featuring live music, local food trucks, vendors, and of course the dropping of a 19-foot chrome Chile pepper festooned with 400 feet of LED lights.
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.
December 1 – 17
8 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Ben-Hur
Black Box Theatre
No Strings Theatre Company presents the timeless story condensed down, as an amateur theatre troupe produces the epic tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hurt, who falls to galley slave, then rises to champion charioteer in Jerusalem.
Visit the website
December 1 – 17
7:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
The Sound of Music
Las Cruces Community Theatre
The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on a true story, a nun is sent off to be governess to seven troublesome children, and later their savior when Nazis invade their country of Austria.
Visit the website
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
December 1 – 28
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A Happy Place
Doña Ana Arts Council
The New Mexico Watercolor Society’s annual juried exhibition features 59 recent works from 46 talented watercolor artists from throughout the state, with a wide range of subject matter, including landscape, portraits, florals, and still life.
Visit the website
December 16, 2023 – April 6, 2024
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wandering Reflections
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
New Mexico’s beautiful, rugged scenery is preserved in the images of Las Cruces photographer David Turning, whose landscape photographs are rich with texture, featuring everything from the roughness of rocks, thorns, and tree branches, to the softness of clouds, fog, and sand dunes.
Visit the website
Through December 2, 2023
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Antidotes: Seeing Beauty, Finding Connection
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
Connect with the world around us through Elizabeth Abrams photography exhibit, featuring 24 beautiful landscape and wildlife images reflecting the light and texture of the environment and the seasons, whether it’s the Rio Grande or the Organ Mountains.
Visit the website
Through December 16, 2023
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Artistas de la Fronterizas – Borderland Contemporary Artists
Las Cruces Museum of Art
Sixteen contemporary artists from local borderland communities, including Las Cruces, El Paso, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, come together in this colorful and expressive exhibit to showcase their work as prominent Borderland artists.
Visit the website
Through December 30, 2023
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico
Branigan Cultural Center
The Center’s latest exhibit explores the history, heritage, and traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Oaxaca, Mexico, through 26 photographs that capture a typical Oaxacan Day of the Dead celebration.
Visit the website
Through Summer 2024
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Las Cruces: Crossroads of History
Branigan Cultural Center
Using original artifacts and historic photographs, this exhibition tells the overarching history of Las Cruces and its prominent place in Borderland history from prehistory through the 1960s, via multiple topics including Indigenous inhabitants, Mexican occupation, entry into the United States, statehood, the Atomic Age, Civil War soldiers, ranchers, and outlaws.
Visit the website
