The evenings are crisp and chilly, while the days are (mostly) warm. Sometimes it even snows. That’s winter in Las Cruces, for you. And as the old year winds down and a new year prepares to be launched, hardy Las Crucens flock to the Plaza de Las Cruces for the annual Las Cruces Chile Drop. Because, where New York City has its ball, and Atlanta has its peach, we’ve got our chile. The Las Cruces Chile Drop lights up downtown on the last day of the year, red or green, depending on the mood of the crowd. Accompanied by live music, food and merriment, the 10th Annual Las Cruces Chile Drop is a free event taking place this year on Sunday, December 31, 2023, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Presented by the City of Las Cruces and the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, the Las Cruces Chile Drop sprang to life in 2014 as an inaugural event for the recently constructed Plaza de Las Cruces. Today as then, a block party kicks things off with food and games on Carnival Row, a Kids Zone with kid-friendly entertainment, and live music by The Memphis Band on the main stage at 9 p.m. At midnight, a 19-foot chrome chile – featuring 400 feet of LED lighting – drops from a crane to commemorate the new year. Whereas before, it was a surprise which color the chile would be, red or green, as of 2021 attendees get to vote on the official state question by scanning a QR code, thus making the surprise even more personal.
So, what are you doing this New Year’s Eve? If you haven’t made other plans, gather up friends and family, bundle up, and head out to the Plaza de Las Cruces this year to celebrate an end to 2023, and the beginning of what we hope will be a peaceful and prosperous 2024. Find out for yourself why USA Today has nominated this event for one of Ten Best New Year’s Eve Drops in the country! For more information on the 9th Annual Las Cruces Chile Drop, visit the website.
Posted by LasCruces.com
