From the Cabinet Secretary

Call them what you will, but few things are as enchanting as New Mexico’s most beloved tradition: the lighting of farolitos and luminarias. Equally evocative of the holiday season is the aroma of piñon burning in the fireplace, a steaming bowl of posole, a creamy horchata, and the sweet, crumbly goodness of the perfect biscochito. In an ever-changing world, New Mexicans cherish our traditions.

Many of our museums and historic sites offer events that have become part of every family’s traditions. Perhaps this year they will become part of your wintertime traditions as well.

In December, all families are welcome at the holidays at the Palace of Governors and Las Posadas procession around the Santa Fe Plaza. Come for the free cookies and hot cider, but stay for a little holiday magic. Don’t forget that the Museum of Art has its own holiday party with fun for the whole family! Holidays at our Historic Sites are equally magical and not to be missed. Visitors can choose from Light Among the Ruins at Jemez Historic Site, Lights of Los Luceros, and Las Noches de Las Luminarias at Fort Selden. Please check the pages at the back of this guide for a calendar of events for the holidays and well into 2020.

The new year promises to be a busy one for our museums and historic sites. We will showcase our state’s great diversity, a hallmark of department’s mission.

The Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum takes a deep dive into the region’s technological history in the exhibit From Ranches to Rockets.

The Museum of Natural History and Science explores New Mexico’s distinct geography with upgraded volcano and earthquake exhibits.

The New Mexico History Museum looks at a transformative element that turned New Mexico into a tourist destination: the coming of the railroad.

The Museum of Art exposes us to the art of a largely unsung contemporary of Georgia O’Keeffe in the exhibition Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center recognizes the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, and all things Peruvian.

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture delves deep into the creative mind of the artist in Diego Romero vs. The End of Art.

The Museum of International Folk Art immerses us in the otherworldly realm of ghosts, demons, ogres, shapeshifters, and monsters with Y?kai: Ghosts and Demons of Japan.

Light those luminarias and farolitos and come join us for some holiday festivities.

On behalf of all of us at the Department of Cultural Affairs, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

We hope to see you in the new year.

Sincerely,
Debra Garcia y Griego
Cabinet Secretary
NM Department of Cultural Affairs