September 2026 Events
Every Thursday
Branigan Library — U Can Uke: Adults and Teens
Meet at the library and learn to play the ukulele. Time: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bring your own ukulele or borrow one. A member of Las Cruces Ukes will help new and returning students.
Every Thursday
Las Cruces Ukes — Strum for Fun
The Strum for Fun group plays just to have a good time. Where: Las Cruces Village, 3011 Buena Vida Circle, Las Cruces, in the Social Center’s Creative Arts room. When: Thursday evenings, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. There is no charge to participate, and we have loaner ukuleles for those who want to come and try playing the ukulele. This group alternates using the Daily Ukulele (yellow cover) and the Daily Ukulele Leap Year Edition (blue cover). We have loaners of those, as well. Come give it a try!
Wednesday Walks with a Ranger — Fort Selden Historic Site
Recurring weekly
Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site — Guided Tours
Guided tours of the Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site highlight the folk-art collection inside the Taylor house and share the history of the Taylor family and earlier residents. Tours run Wednesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 16 and under. Space is limited, and advance online tickets are required.
Starting September 1
Mesilla Valley Audubon Birding Basics Classes
Curious about birding? This free three-part introductory course is designed for beginners and anyone looking to refresh their birding skills. Classes are held Tuesdays, September 1, 8, and 15. Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Location: Las Cruces Village Senior Living, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
September 2 & 3
DACC Hosts Two Blood Drives
Doña Ana Community College (DACC), in partnership with Vitalant, will host two blood drives to help meet the region’s need for blood donations.
The first drive will be held Wednesday, September 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Espina Campus, 3400 S. Espina. A second drive is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the East Mesa Campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
Donors who schedule an appointment will receive a $20 Rewards gift card and a Halloween T-shirt. Schedule appointments through Vitalant using code LABORDAY-2026-V to receive the promotional items. Donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donations generally take about one hour.
September 4
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: Lake Valley Historic Town Site
Join Amy on this patio chat. Time: 6 p.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 4
Blue Moon Bar & Grill — Hayden Haddock
Head over to the Blue Moon Bar & Grill to see this Texas singer/songwriter. Named new male vocalist of the year in 2021, Hayden always puts on a good show. This is a great opportunity to hear him perform.
September 5
Mesilla Valley Audubon Bird Walk — Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Meet at the park Visitor’s Center at 8:00 a.m. to sign in with the group leader. Then, the leader will guide attendees and identify birds in the area. Wear sturdy shoes, bring binoculars if you have them (a few are available for loan), a bottle of water, and your curiosity. New Mexico State Parks charge a vehicle day-use fee of $5 for state residents and $10 for non-residents.
September 5
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: El Camino Real Trail
Join Oona on this patio chat. Time: 11 a.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 5
Stargazing at Leasburg Dam State Park
The observatory opens to the public once a month for stargazing sessions that begin at sundown. The start time is 5 p.m., but it varies seasonally, so plan accordingly. Volunteers from the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces operate the 16′ Meade SCT telescope along with additional scopes set up outside the facility. On clear nights with the moon below the horizon, visitors can spot the Milky Way with the naked eye and view nebulae, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, and distant galaxies through the telescopes.
September 5 & 6
Franciscan Festival of Fine Art
The Franciscan Festival of Fine Art, sponsored by the Holy Cross Retreat Center (HCRC), celebrates high-quality fine art from 80–90 juried artists, featuring paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, and more. Held outdoors on the beautiful retreat center grounds in Mesilla Park, the festival includes an enchilada dinner and other food vendors, a silent auction, raffle, live music on two stages, and a beer/wine garden. All proceeds benefit the activities of the Holy Cross Retreat Center. GPS: 4889 South Main Street, Mesilla Park, NM.
September 5 & 6
Hatch Chile Festival
The 2026 Hatch Chile Festival returns to the “Chile Capital of the World” September 5–6 for its 55th annual harvest celebration. The Labor Day weekend event features Hatch chile roasting, a parade, the Hatch Carnival, and other activities celebrating New Mexico’s chile-growing tradition. Admission to the festival grounds is free, making it an affordable option for families visiting the Hatch Valley. Read more about this event!
September 5 – 7
Harvest Wine and Music Festival
Sip and shop award-winning New Mexico wines at the Harvest Wine and Music Festival at the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds. Enjoy live bands and DJs on multiple stages, plus a silent disco, karaoke, tasty food, and plenty of shopping from local and regional vendors.
September 6
Festival Orchestra de Las Cruces Presents an All-American Concert
The Festival Orchestra de Las Cruces presents its Red, White, and Blue All-American Concert at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall. Time: 3 p.m. Conducted by Lonnie Klein, the program celebrates American music with works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and John Williams. Pianist Ilya Yakushev will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with Fernando Macias narrating Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.
September 8 & 9
2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference
The 2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference will be held September 8 and 9 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. This year’s conference will explore major issues shaping public policy, including the future of democracy, artificial intelligence, the geopolitics of energy, national security, and the 2026 elections. Registration is now open. Tickets are $50, and students may attend for free.
September 9 & 11
Mad Hatter Gallery — Lonnie Schlein: Through the Lens, Opening Reception
The Mad Hatter Gallery presents “Lonnie Schlein: Through the Lens,” featuring work by former New York Times photojournalist and editor Lonnie Schlein. The exhibit runs September 2 through October 3, 2026. Schlein spent more than 35 years at The New York Times, serving as Foreign Picture Editor, National Picture Editor, and Metro Editor, and covering major national and international news events. An artist talk will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by an opening reception on Friday, September 11, from 5 to 8 p.m.
September 11
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: The Organ Mountains and How the Landscape Shaped History
Join Javier on this patio chat. Time: 6 p.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 12
Mesilla Valley Audubon Bird Walk — Sagecrest Park
Meet near the park entrance at 8:00 a.m. to sign in with the group leader. Then, the leader will guide attendees and identify birds in the area. Wear sturdy shoes, bring binoculars if you have them (a few are available for loan), a bottle of water, and your curiosity.
September 12
Mesilla Valley Audubon Society Nature Journal Club — Aguirre Spring
The MVAS Nature Journaling Club is for anyone who wants to combine observation, art, and writing to deepen their connection to nature. It meets monthly at various locations and on different days. Beginners welcome! On September 12, we’ll head to Aguirre Spring to journal the birds and plants of this unique area. Time: 9:30 a.m. Email to RSVP
September 12 – 13
Las Cruces Symphony — Voices and Virtuosos
This performance brings together guest artist Barbara Padilla and featured Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra soloists for a program celebrating outstanding vocal and instrumental performances.
September 12
Public Lands Palooza
The Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces District Office and the City of Las Cruces will host Public Lands Palooza from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 12, at the Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St. The community street fair celebrates the BLM’s 80th anniversary and the nation’s 250th anniversary while connecting residents with public lands.
The event will feature outdoor recreation vendors, mariachi and ballet folklorico performances, the City of Las Cruces’ remote-control hot air balloon and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ Wonder Wheels Museum, a 38-foot mobile exhibit featuring New Mexico historic sites. Velo Cruces will also hold a slow bike ride race, and BLM mascot Seymour Antelope is expected to make an appearance. The event coincides with the Downtown Farmers Market.
September 18
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: Honing a Sense of Exploration in Our Community
Join Laila on this patio chat. Time: 6 p.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 19
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks Guided Hike
Imagine life at Dripping Springs hundreds to thousands of years ago along this 3-mile round-trip hike to Dripping Springs and back with Tom Dormody. Time: 8 a.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Native Plant Garden. Hikes take place on rough, uneven terrain. Arrive in appropriate footwear/clothing for the weather, with sun protection, snacks as needed, and plenty of water. RSVP required at https://organmountainsdesertpeaks.org/events/ (May not appear for signup until closer to the date)
September 19
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: Who Owns the Water?
Join Nayeli on this patio chat where you’ll learn how water shaped power at Dripping Springs and the surrounding desert. Time: 11 a.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 19
Team Zane Celebrity Waiter Urban Cowboy
Saddle up for the final Team Zane Celebrity Waiter event, a Western-themed fundraiser benefiting El Caldito Soup Kitchen and the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces. The evening features a mechanical bull, table-decorating contests, stick horse races, and a money machine. Location: Las Cruces Convention Center. Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
September 20
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks Guided Hike
Join Tom to explore what attracted Indigenous people, a hermit, ranchers, and wildlife to La Cueva over the millennia (2mi round trip). Time: 8 a.m. Location: La Cueva first parking area. RSVP required at https://organmountainsdesertpeaks.org/events/ (May not appear for sign-up until closer to the date)
September 18 – October 4
Black Box Theatre — Tiny Wonderful Things
“Tiny Wonderful Things explores the increasingly rare art of truly listening to others—and responding with empathy. As The New York Times observed, the play “works beautifully as a sustained theatrical exercise in empathy.”
September 20
Mesilla Valley Jazz & Blues Society — Monthly Gathering
September features the Mesilla Valley Big Band, led by Las Cruces’ Johnny Lang and comprising almost 20 members. The ensemble is an affiliate of the MVJBS and performs at various venues throughout the fall and spring seasons. Monthly gatherings are typically held on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The performance will start after a brief update on the organization’s happenings. Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Alma d’Arte Charter High School, 402 W. Court Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005. Admission is $5 for MVJBS members and $10 for non-members. Go here for ticket information.
September 26
Mesilla Valley Audubon Bird Walk — Leasburg Dam State Park
Meet at the park Visitor’s Center at 8:00 a.m. to sign in with the group leader. Then, attendees will carpool to the picnic area on the Rio Grande. The leader will guide attendees and identify birds in the area. Wear sturdy shoes, bring binoculars if you have them (a few are available for loan), a bottle of water, and your curiosity. New Mexico State Parks charge a vehicle day-use fee of $5 for state residents and $10 for non-residents.
September 26
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: Preventative Search and Rescue Through Community Involvement
Join Micah on this patio chat where you’ll learn how water shaped power at Dripping Springs and the surrounding desert. Time: 11 a.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
September 26
Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks — Patio Chat: Native Plants for Your Yard
Join Don on this patio chat where you’ll learn about native plants. Time: 12 p.m. Location: A.B. Cox Visitor Center Porch.
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
Organ Mountain Market
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Parking Lot East of Ashley Furniture Store, Highway 70, Las Cruces, NM
Explore weekly vendors, food trucks, retailers, and themed markets every Sunday! Free entry for all ages. Vendor spaces available monthly.
Food Truck Friday
Third Friday of Every Month, 5-8 p.m.
Lower parking lot at Morning Star United Methodist Church, Las Cruces (2941 Morningstar Dr.).
This family-friendly event offers indoor and outdoor seating and a variety of food, drinks, and desserts from local vendors!
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
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 Railroad 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
The Game Sports Bar & Grill
Open daily 11 a.m. – midnight
Experience the top Aggie-themed sports bar in Las Cruces! The Game Sports Bar & Grill is just minutes from NMSU, offering a spacious patio, delicious food specials, and 42 ice-cold beers on tap.
Visit the website
The Game II – Extra Innings
Open daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The Game II – Extra Innings, located near Hwy. 70, brings the same signature menu favorites from the original Game location. Enjoy indoor or patio dining, along with live entertainment.
Visit the website
Check the events calendars for more information.
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
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 December 31
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Museum — Farm Life in New Mexico: Then & Now
Explore a permanent Main Gallery exhibit that recreates daily life in earlier times through four themed sections: “Moving Around,” “On the Farm,” “Home Sweet Home,” and “Going to Town.” Designed to immerse visitors in a historical setting, the exhibit offers a glimpse into how people lived, worked, traveled, and interacted with their communities. The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays.
Through October 3
Mad Hatter Gallery — Lonnie Schlein: Through the Lens, Opening Reception
The Mad Hatter Gallery presents “Lonnie Schlein: Through the Lens,” featuring work by former New York Times photojournalist and editor Lonnie Schlein. The exhibit runs September 2 through October 3, 2026. Schlein spent more than 35 years at The New York Times, serving as Foreign Picture Editor, National Picture Editor, and Metro Editor, and covering major national and international news events. An artist talk will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by an opening reception on Friday, September 11, from 5 to 8 p.m.
July 17 through October 17
The Museum of Art Gallery — Dancing with Life: Mexican Masks
Explore Mexico’s festival traditions through historic and contemporary masks from the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture collection. Featuring bilingual Spanish and English interviews with mask makers and dancers, the exhibition examines danzas as living cultural expressions that reflect spirituality, community life, political issues, and influences from both religious traditions and popular culture. Suitable for visitors interested in art, culture, and Mexican folk traditions. The exhibition goes through October 17. Go here for more information on this exhibit.
June 11 through September 12, 2026
NMSU Art Gallery: Homage to Then/Small Worlds
Homage to Then/Small Worlds, a solo exhibition by local artist, former department head, and Professor Emeritus Louis Ocepek, is on display in the NMSU Art Museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through Sept. 12. The two-part exhibition features gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital works that reflect Ocepek’s artistic influences while exploring abstract interpretations of the physical and metaphysical world. Admission is free. The NMSU Art Museum is located at 1308 E. University Ave. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 11 through September 5, 2026
Mapping Spaces: Selections from the Lannan Art Collection at NMSU
This exhibit is on display in the NMSU Art Museum’s Contemporary Gallery through Sept. 5. The exhibition features works from a 2024 gift of 63 pieces from the Lannan Art Collection, showcasing artists whose work explores landscape, environment, documentary photography, and abstraction. Admission is free. The NMSU Art Museum, 1308 E. University Ave., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
September 6, 2025 – May 31, 2027
Branigan Cultural Center — Land of the People
Land of the People is a long-term collaborative exhibition at the Branigan Cultural Center featuring the histories, cultures, and contemporary perspectives of six Indigenous groups with deep ties to the Borderland region. Through May 2027, visitors can explore a shared gallery on Indigenous traditions, stewardship, and cultural practices, along with a rotating featured exhibit that highlights one participating community every 12 weeks.
Current Rotation (through October 10, 2026): Land of the People: Naf’ole atsihem showcases the Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe, sharing its history, traditions, and connection to the land through the tribe’s own words and perspectives.
Branigan Cultural Center — Into the Great White Sands
Into the Great White Sands: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian is on display at the Branigan Cultural Center through September 5, 2026. The exhibition features striking images of White Sands National Park, capturing its changing gypsum dunes, dramatic light, seasonal landscapes, historic architecture, and the people who visit this unique New Mexico destination. The collection showcases the award-winning work of New Mexico photographer Craig Varjabedian, whose photographs explore the beauty and character of one of the state’s most iconic landscapes.
August 7 through September 19, 2026
NMSU Art Museum — Art History: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Art History: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is a student-curated exhibition featuring works from the NMSU Permanent Art Collection that examines how contemporary artists reinterpret and transform iconic artworks and themes from the past. Location: Bunny Conlon Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery. The exhibition is on display in the Bunny Conlon Modern & Contemporary Art Gallery.
June 11 through September 12, 2026
NMSU Art Gallery: Homage to Then/Small Worlds
Homage to Then/Small Worlds, a solo exhibition by local artist, former department head, and Professor Emeritus Louis Ocepek, is on display in the NMSU Art Museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through Sept. 12. The two-part exhibition features gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital works that reflect Ocepek’s artistic influences while exploring abstract interpretations of the physical and metaphysical world. Admission is free. The NMSU Art Museum is located at 1308 E. University Ave. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
