COVID-Friendly Things to Do for Christmas in Albuquerque NM

 

There is no doubt that Albuquerque is a beautiful city any time of the year. However, there's something special about Christmas in Albuquerque NM that makes the city seem magical!

During the Christmas holiday season, most of New Mexico is ablaze with the warm radiance of glowing candles placed in sand-filled paper bags. No matter if you call them luminarias or farolitos, their loveliness never fails to enchant. Lining streets, arranged on top of walls, or lighting a path, these simple decorations transform everything around them into a glittery wonderland.

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns and restrictions, many of the usual festivities for Christmas in Albuquerque NM have been cancelled. Thankfully, you can still delight in the viewing of thousands of farolitos that will decorate our fair city. Along with these, you'll also find sparkling displays of twinkle lights, hear the joyous sounds of Christmas caroling, and possibly, find a spot on Santa's knee for a keepsake photo. 

Christmas in Albuquerque NM: Light Displays

In a normal year, the River of Lights Holiday Light Festival runs between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. The River of Lights at ABQ BioPark Botanic Gardens is the state's biggest walk-through light display during Christmas in Albuquerque NM. Everyone in the family can enjoy the beauty of the glittering lights and animated sculptures as they stroll through the gardens. Be sure to get there early because this extremely popular event gets crowded quickly, and parking can become a hassle. A free "park and ride" shuttle is offered on select nights to make your visit more pleasurable. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, it is still unclear if this event will be continued or cancelled.

A Community First program, Lights of Enchantment features over 350 light displays with more than one million points of light. It's a drive through experience, located at the Sandia Speedway, and their website states if you purchase your ticket online you can save $20 per car. If you get a coupon code from a local participating group or charity, you can save 40%, and up to $5 from each ticket will be donated to that group or charity. Due to COVID, the opening date has been changed from November 20th to December 1st.

Also running from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve is a mesmerizing light display called the Bugg Lights. This display began 50 years ago at a private residence in an Albuquerque Heights neighborhood. Due to heavy traffic caused by all the on-lookers, it was relocated to the Harvey House Museum. Some of the lights can be viewed while driving, but others need to be seen while walking. Santa even sometimes shows up for a visit! This event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated. As of November 10, it's still unclear whether this event will take place this holiday season.

The largest luminaria display for Christmas in Albuquerque NM occurs on Christmas Eve in the Old Town  Plaza, with hundreds of luminarias lined up along the walkways throughout the plaza that lead to the historic San Felipe de Neri Church and its Christmas Eve mass. You can admire the decorated buildings before then, however, as they're decked out well before the special night.

No matter what activities get your family and you in the holiday spirit, our team at Fiesta Subaru can help get you there in a new Subaru! Visit us online or in person at 8100 Lomas Blvd in Albuquerque to check out our great inventory! Merry Christmas and stay safe!