The City Different is home to an incredible array of unique cultural celebrations and traditions that take place year-round. These events allow residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history, art, architecture, and cuisine around town. One of the largest celebrations at the end of the summer is the Santa Fe Fiesta. This string of festivities lasts for over a week and gives you a taste of some of our favorite parts of Northern New Mexico culture.
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Your Guide to the Santa Fe Fiesta
What Is the Santa Fe Fiesta?
The Santa Fe Fiesta is a nine-day celebration that includes a series of events and festivities commemorating an old Spanish tradition stemming form their conquests in the 1600s. Once they claimed the land that is now home to the City Different, they dedicated a week-long fiesta to their victories. Today, Santa Fe residents and visitors revel in a variety of fun and exciting events and celebrations taking place around town.
The Burning of Zozobra kicks off the celebration at the end of August. This bizarre showcase commemorates a tradition that began in the 1920s by a local art community who wanted to start fresh by burning away their worries and troubles with a 50-foot marionette puppet (i.e., Zozobra). The week continues with an arts and crafts market, various live music presentations and concerts, a food fiesta, and several other celebrations followed by the closing ceremonies and a Mass of Thanksgiving. For a full list of festival events, be sure to consult the calendar on their website!
When Is It?
The Santa Fe Fiesta traditionally takes place from August 31st through September 8th. The weather makes this one of the best times of the year to visit the City Different. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, and there is very little precipitation. This is also the end of the busy summer season for tourists, so you most likely won’t have to deal with large crowds while exploring other parts of the city.
Where Is It?
The Fiesta de Santa Fe takes place at a handful of locations around town. Most of the festivities focus around Santa Fe Plaza and the Palace of the Governors. A couple of the events take place at the Santa Fe Opera, but other than that, you can walk to most venues from your room at Four Kachinas Inn!
Plan Your Santa Fe Vacation
If you’re searching for a convenient and authentic place to stay in Santa Fe, then you need to browse our accommodations at Four Kachinas Inn. Our bed and breakfast features beautiful Southwestern decor and locally crafted furniture. One of the best benefits of staying with us is our location. We are less than a 15-minute walk from the heart of town, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of driving and parking.
Start planning your trip to Santa Fe today by booking your room at Four Kachinas today! We look forward to welcoming you to the City Different.
