The Winter Spanish Market returns to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on December 6 and 7, 2025, bringing together more than 50 artists whose work reflects generations of dedication to Spanish Colonial art.
For nearly a century, this seasonal gathering has connected New Mexico families through craft, faith, and tradition, creating a setting where heritage continues through the work of human hands.
Handcrafted pieces include retablos, bultos, tinwork, colcha embroidery, and pottery, all created using methods introduced by Spanish settlers in the 1500s and carefully preserved by New Mexican makers ever since.
What Is the Winter Spanish Market?
The Winter Spanish Market serves as the seasonal extension of Santa Fe’s Traditional Spanish Market, first established in 1926 on the historic plaza.
While the summer event unfolds outdoors, the winter edition brings the same tradition indoors to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, offering visitors a quieter, more focused environment to engage with artists and their work.
Now organized by the Atrisco Heritage Foundation, the Market upholds the mission of preserving Spanish Colonial art traditions across New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Each participating artist undergoes a detailed jury process to confirm heritage ties, craftsmanship, and commitment to historical technique.
The result is a carefully curated event that honors authenticity while keeping these art forms part of contemporary life.
Winter Spanish Market 2025: Dates, Times, and Location
- Dates: Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, 2025
- Times: Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Location: Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy Street
- Admission: Free and open to the public
Meet the Artists: Generations of Spanish Colonial Art Makers
Part of what makes the Winter Spanish Market distinct is its continuity. Many participating families have been creating and exhibiting for three or four generations, maintaining traditional forms while adapting to new contexts.
The artists themselves represent a wide range of experience. Some are lifelong practitioners who have spent decades refining their craft, while others are newer participants continuing practices taught within their families.
Each artist brings a personal interpretation to centuries-old methods, giving the market a sense of both tradition and renewal.
It’s common to see parents and their adult children sharing adjoining tables, discussing their approaches with visitors, or quietly working side by side. This intergenerational presence reinforces the idea that Spanish Colonial art is not confined to history but continues to grow through mentorship and lived experience.
Younger participants are also encouraged to take part in the market through a dedicated youth artist registration process. Under the guidance of established makers, these emerging artists learn the methods, materials, and imagery central to Spanish Colonial traditions, helping ensure these practices remain active in the years ahead.
See the full list of participating artists.
Authentic Techniques: Retablos, Bultos, Tinwork, and Colcha
The Winter Spanish Market remains dedicated to materials and processes that have endured since the 16th century. Some artists still raise sheep for wool, spin it by hand, and use natural pigments derived from native plants to create richly textured textiles.
Others carve devotional figures from local wood, apply gesso and gold leaf to altar screens, or engrave metal using techniques passed through generations.
This fidelity to traditional methods keeps the work dynamic rather than static. Each creation reflects the discipline of its lineage and the imagination of the artist who continues it.
Visit the Market
Held indoors at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, the Winter Spanish Market creates a relaxed setting where visitors can browse, meet artists, and learn about each craft.
Booths are arranged throughout the main exhibition hall, each displaying an artist’s work alongside information about their techniques and materials.
Many artists are present at their tables, ready to talk about their process and the traditions behind their pieces.
All works on view are available for purchase, and transactions are handled directly between artist and buyer. Visitors often take their time moving through the aisles, pausing to watch demonstrations or discuss the meaning behind individual designs.
The venue’s central location makes it an easy walk from nearby hotels and galleries, and the market encourages travel by the New Mexico Rail Runner Express for those arriving from Albuquerque or points south.
To make the most of the weekend:
- Arrive early on Saturday to see new works as they debut.
- Visit on Sunday for a quieter pace and more conversation with artists.
- Allow time to browse, as the indoor layout encourages an unhurried visit.
For details on artist locations and venue layout, view the Winter Artist Map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission free?
Yes. The Winter Spanish Market is free and open to the public.
Can visitors purchase artwork directly from artists?
Yes. All sales are handled directly at each artist’s booth, allowing visitors to speak with the maker and learn about the work before buying.
Where should I park?
Public parking is available at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center’s underground garage and nearby city lots.
Is the event accessible?
Yes. The Santa Fe Community Convention Center meets ADA accessibility standards, with accessible restrooms and entrances.
Are photos allowed?
Photography is generally permitted, but it’s courteous to ask artists before taking photos of their work.
Experience the Winter Spanish Market 2025
The Winter Spanish Market offers a chance to see living craftsmanship up close and to meet the artists who keep these practices active in New Mexico. Each piece reflects time, patience, and a deep understanding of materials that connect the past with the present.
Plan a visit to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on December 6 and 7 to experience the market in person and support the artists who continue this century-old tradition!
For more details, visit SpanishMarket.org or follow the Atrisco Heritage Foundation on social media for updates.
This article was posted by Jess
