“The site is a unique, well-preserved example of a rare tenth and early eleventh-century ancestral Pueblo community center, and is likely the largest, most intact, and enduring in the Northern Rio Grande Valley,” Tamara J. Stewart, principal for TAMARCH CRM said in her nomination.

Today’s Tewa-speaking Pojoaque Pueblo residents are direct descendants of the people who lived at K’uuyemugeh more than one-thousand years ago.  Their community consisted of jacales or buildings of staked poles covered in adobe, buildings made of 12” x 12” sandstone slabs and stone structures mortared with adobe.  Roomblocks two-and-four stories tall enclosed two plazas.

The great kiva was oriented to the southeast as were nine additional kivas—some rectangular—for religious reasons. There were 23 housing blocks built along low ridges primarily to the west and southwest.

“It is one of the early pueblos where Native Americans began to live together in architecturally sophisticated buildings,” said Steven Moffson, HPD State and National register coordinator.

Pojoaque Pueblo—its residents are descendants of the people who lived at K’uuyemugeh— initiated the nomination and hired Stewart to write it. It culminates decades of earlier research at the site including a ca. 1930 survey by the Laboratory of Anthropology, and excavations by one of its archaeologists, Stanley Stubbs, in 1953.

Other nominations included:

St. John’s College

This is the first New Mexico college campus in its entirety to be designated an historic district.

Set in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Santa Fe campus is the sister campus to one established in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1784.  The New Mexico campus is historic for its architecture and its association with New Mexico architect John Gaw Meem who donated 260 acres to establish it.  The Modernist landscaping by Garret Eckbo, and interior design and art by Alexander Girard also are singled out for historic mention.

“The campus’s modern adaptation of Territorial Revival-style architecture that follows a master plan developed in the early 1960s, it being sited in Santa Fe and the school’s unique approach to higher education are historically significant,” said Jeff Pappas, State Historic Preservation Officer and HPD director.

Delgado Street Bridge

The oldest bridge designed for motor vehicle traffic in Santa Fe was listed for its role in expanding the city south of the Plaza, and as an important infrastructure improvement that contributed to the capital city’s modernization after statehood.

Built in 1928, it replaced a bridge swept away in a 1904 flood.  It took Santa Fe County 24 years to raise money to build the new bridge, which is emblematic of New Mexico’s struggles to fund needed infrastructure in its early statehood years. The bridge is nearly unaltered and is considered an excellent example of a concrete deck-girder bridge with a rocker-bearing system, the only one in the city. Its distinct paneled railings wrap away from its entrances, creating a gateway effect that is highly representative of 1920s urban bridge design.

Although used frequently by pedestrians, there are no sidewalks on the 40’-6”-long span that crosses the Santa Fe River to connect Canyon Road to Alameda Street.

Grants-Milan Flight Station

A transportation milestone, the Grants-Milan Flight Service Station, in Grants, provided critical radio communications and weather data for transcontinental flights during the Los Angeles–Amarillo leg of their journeys as part of the nation’s Mid-Continental airway system. In operation from 1953–1973, the flight station represents the government’s continued effort to ensure safe and reliable navigation for transcontinental flights.

Assembled from prefabricated panels by the Civil Aeronautics Authority with community input, the small rectangular building with a pitched roof is one of the last remaining modular buildings of its type.  It is a prime example of mid-century construction used to build important air traffic control facilities that could be assembled at multiple locations.

The building is being restored as part of the Western New Mexico Aviation Heritage Museum by the Cibola County Historical Society and will house the museum’s main exhibits. HPD provided a grant to document and assess the building’s condition. The resulting document was so well executed that the CPRC recognized it with a Heritage Publication Award in 2013.

The museum displays early aviation artifacts, including a 1929 beacon from Acomita, near Acoma Pueblo, that was part of the Transcontinental Air Transport system for which Charles Lindbergh was technical advisor. The TAT rail-and-air passenger service linked both coasts and figured in one of the earliest aviation disasters which claimed eight lives in a plane crash on Mount Taylor.

Gutiérrez-Hubbell House

Built between 1855 and 1859, the sprawling adobe former home of James Lawrence Hubbell and Juliana Gutiérrez y Chávez was an important stop along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and the center of commercial life in Pajarito, where it operates today as a history and cultural center.  The house is significant as an early example of a Territorial-style rancho with its symmetrical design, vigas, center-hall floor plan and a placita, or courtyard.

“It is very important as an early example of an adobe house with a center hall plan,” Moffson said of the large hall with fireplace and furnishings.  “You don’t generally find this style in New Mexico until after the Civil War and it underscores the affluence and status of the Gutiérrez-Hubbell family.”
Ranchos, typically were built around enclosures or corrals. They were used as informal inns for travelers and places to buy or trade supplies and livestock. The Hubbells operated a mercantile and trading post and post office from the property. Commercial structures on the property were demolished years ago, but the house still faces a section of the Camino Real that is today’s Isleta Boulevard and evokes its importance as a stopping point for people traveling the first international trade route in the U.S.

At one time the property included 285 acres.  Hubbell, among the most successful traders in the New Mexico territory, grazed 100,000 sheep and his heirs raised cattle and horses, grew alfalfa and maintained 40 acres for vineyards and orchards.  Juliana was prominent locally  and considered the matriarch of Pajarito. The family owned the house until 1996 when their great-granddaughter, Louise Hubbell , passed away. In 2000 the badly deteriorated home was purchased by Bernalillo County and subsequently restored by Cornerstones Community Partnerships.

The store and corrals are gone, and the home now is surrounded by 15 acres of land that is partially leased for agriculture.  The county manages the property as part of its open space program with the nonprofit Hubbell House Alliance.

Los Alamos Post Office

The post office appears much as when it was built in 1946 as part of a multi-million-dollar civic complex funded by the Atomic Energy Commission to replace wartime housing used by people employed by the Manhattan Project.

Architect W.C. Kruger, who designed the state capitol building in Santa Fe, was commissioned for the post office shopping complex. The post office is notable for its massing, combination of Territorial Revival and Modernist architectural elements and the distinctive ornamental thunderbird grilles that decorate each of its seven large vertical window bays. The entire complex still stands, although Territorial architectural elements were removed from the commercial buildings years ago.

Sensational Skiing

With a base elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe is one of the Southwest’s most exciting ski destinations, open to skiers and snowboarders alike. Just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe high in the foothills of the Rockies, this family-friendly ski area offers 86 trails for all levels. Races, workshops, a snowboard camp, and other events are held throughout the season The lively apres-ski party takes place mid-mountain at Totemoff’s Bar, where live music, craft beer, and cocktails are on tap, along with burgers and other bites.

Check out our story about the 2023 – 24 ski season at Ski Santa Fe.

Souper Bowl Saturday

There’s the Super Bowl and then there’s the Souper Bowl, Santa Fe’s longstanding culinary competition that packs in the crowds. While there are no controversial referee calls or injuries causing competitors to limp off the field, excitement runs high inside the Santa Fe Convention Center, where local chefs vie to bring home the trophy for best Savory, Seafood, Cream, or Vegetarian soup as well as the Best Soup award.

You, the taster, get to sample each of the soups in the competition and then cast your votes for your favorites. The proceeds benefit The Food Depot, which last year served more than 385,000 meals to New Mexicans in need. Past winners include Dr. Field Goods in 2023, Terra at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, and The Pantry, so you know these soups will be delicious.  This year’s event will be held January 27, 2024, and tickets are on sale now. Learn more and get tickets here.

Spa Session

Winter is the perfect season to nourish your body, mind and spirit and the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is the perfect place to do so, with a menu of services that are inspired by ancient Southwest traditions. Chase the cold away with a soak in an outdoor hot tub, then choose from an enticing menu of treatments, including a head-to-toe massage and a warming scrub of vanilla and chai. You’ll feel refreshed, revitalized and restored.

Fun on Ice

Have the urge to twirl on ice or drive a hockey puck into the net and score? You can do both, and more, at the ice arena at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. Sessions devoted to figure skating freestyle, ice dancing, public skates, family fun skates, adult level hockey drop-ins and more take place regularly. Check the schedule here. Don’t have skates? Don’t worry. You can rent figure or hockey skates and even get your own skates sharpened if they need it.

Sleighing It

Sledding is one of winter’s great pastimes and you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy it in the mountains of Santa Fe, whether your favorite vehicle is a toboggan, a plastic sled, or even an inner tube. Hyde Memorial State Park, eights miles from Santa Fe on Hyde Park Road, is the most popular sledding area, located in a forest along Little Tesuque Creek. (For safety reasons, you can only use a plastic sled or inner tube here.)

More sledding areas lie along Hyde Park Road, including Black Canyon, a great spot for children with its campgrounds and trails, and Aspen Vista, where plastic saucer sledding is popular.

Museums

Santa Fe is home to many excellent museums, from those you can find near the plaza to those up on Museum Hill. Visiting Santa Fe museums is a great way to spend a winter day! Explore history, art, Native American art and culture, folk art from around the world, and so much more. Lovers of the distinctive art of Georgia O’Keeffe can indulge themselves with a few hours at the museum that celebrates her work.

Theatre

Another perfect indoor activity for winter is catching a live show at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, or a special film at places like Jean Cocteau Cinema.

Meow Wolf

Cold outside? Head to Meow Wolf and spend the day exploring a multiverse beyond imagination! This interactive art display is fun for all ages. Take the time to try to solve the puzzles or just wonder at the creative minds who created this iconic location.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

One of the sweetest ways to savor winter is to stroll in the snow with someone you love. Whether you walk along fabled Canyon Road as flurries fall, or set out on a mountain trail freshly covered in snow, with no other tracks than yours, you’ll experience the magic of the season in Santa Fe.

Relax in Front of a Fire

And then you can reward yourself with a hot chocolate, or something stronger, relaxing in front of a fire at the stylish Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi or at another one of the city’s acclaimed destinations. Read our Heating It Up story about their restaurant here.

Original story by Lynn Cline.

1. Hold on tight to your girlfriends

Boys may come and go, but once you find your tribe, stick with them. There is nothing like a girlfriend of long standing who knew you when…and who will get you through in inescapable curveballs of life.

2. The “real world” is not that much different than SCHOOL 

Once you graduate and escape the nonsense you think only exists in school (like egos, cliques, drama, popularity contests), you’ll discover that same nonsense exists at work…it may just be dressed in business attire. Rise above it.

3. Your employer is not responsible for your success – that’s all on you

Other than your mother, the only one who cares about your career is you.

4. In business negotiations, act like a man

Know your worth, ask for the promotions and raises, and yes, to use Sheryl Sandberg’s phrase “lean in.”

5. Take really good care of your skin

No kidding.  Start now.  It doesn’t have to be expensive products, but conscientious care will pay off in the future. You’ll thank me for this.

6. Go ahead and occasionally splurge on that Fashion Must-Have

If you fall in love with that one perfect and high quality little black dress, bag, or pair of shoes, and can’t stop thinking about it…buy it.  Your bank account will eventually absorb the loss, and it will most likely be a Go-To item for years to come.

7. Move your body…daily

Notice I didn’t suggest you “go for a run, hit the gym, or do a tough mudder.”  If any of that is your thing, by all means, go for it. But find something that makes you happy and gets you moving, even if it’s just for tiny chunk of your day (walk the dog, do yoga, play tennis with friends, or simply sit on your bedroom floor and stretch).

8. Be aware of your effect on others

Think, act, and live consciously.  This is not obvious.

9. Laugh

As often as you can, laugh with friends, with family, with your significant other (laughter can sustain a relationship), and when necessary, with and at yourself.

10. Don’t be afraid of being afraid

That is, don’t be so frightened of failure that you miss the opportunity to soar.  And promise yourself to learn from your mistakes.

There are plenty of things you need to know before you come to the City Different. Our Santa Fe Relocation Guide provides you with all the pertinent information needed to settle in the City Different. First, however, we offer these 15 bits of insight before you make your move so you better know what to expect.

Looking for a home in Santa Fe? Check out these great listings!

1. Santa Fe Elevation

Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet. If you’re coming from most places that aren’t in the Rockies, the elevation will get to you for awhile. Don’t get frustrated when you get out of breath going up the stairs the first few days you are here.

If you are reasonably in shape, the norm is about 30 days to get your mountain legs. The trick is to stay hydrated and do some easy exercises to acclimate yourself. Gentle hikes are ok, but maybe don’t plan on doing that 100-mile bike ride for a bit. Here are some more tips to help you acclimate to our altitude.

Once you get used to the elevation in town, you can start to venture higher up into the mountains to get some serious altitude. Atalaya Mountain in town tops out over 9,000 feet and is a great, if strenuous, hike. The ski area tops out over 12,000 feet and there are some glorious places to hike and mountain bike up high.

2. Santa Fe Weather

The elevation also means that we have four proper seasons. (Sometimes we have all four seasons in one day!) People ask us all the time if it gets really hot in the desert, as if we are similar to Phoenix. We definitely have some hot days before monsoon hits, but it almost never hits 100 (or 90 for that matter) and the nights are oh so nice, with temps dropping as much as 30 degrees. We have a proper monsoon, or rainy season, most years in July.

And in winter we have snow. Snowfall varies by year but can reach hundreds of inches in the mountains. It snows much less in town, but we do get a handful of big dumps every winter. Generally the snow starts to evaporate as soon as the sun comes out, which is most of the time. We’re blessed with close to 300 days of sun on average. And with that sun comes amazing outdoor winter recreation, like sledding or skiing!

It’s common to have warm days in early spring, which can give a false sense that winter is truly over. That being said, it can also be a nice time to get out of the house and start the garden or get in an early season bike ride. Spring in Santa Fe is typically windy, but not terribly so. Expect a rogue snowfall in late spring. Check out our video about places to explore in spring!

Fall just might be the best season in Santa Fe. The weather has cooled down a little, but the days are still long — a perfect combination for getting outdoors for hours on end. And in the mountains, the aspens begin to turn their signature bright yellow.

Things even smell great as vendors set up their green chile roasting stations in parking lots all over town. If Santa Fe has a signature smell, this is it.

3. There’s a reason all the buildings are brown

The pueblo inhabitants of Santa Fe and the surrounding areas built their homes from adobe, a sun-dried clay brick, as far back as 1,000 years ago. When the Spanish came up from Mexico in the 1500s they adopted this style, too, because it is somewhat easy to build. The thermal properties of adobe also help keeps homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

When artists and architects started coming to Santa Fe in the 1920s and ’30s, they wanted to establish a unique identity for the town. The style was mandated for the historical district of Santa Fe in 1957 and is generally used all over town, though modern and industrial influences are starting to surface in the many in-fill projects in town, especially the Santa Fe Railyard.

Though you may hear visitors say “everything looks the same” in Santa Fe, you begin to appreciate the style when you realize how well it blends in with the hills and preserves the appearance of being a part of the surroundings, not lording over them.

4. There are so many great places to eat here

We really are blessed with an amazing variety of places to eat in Santa Fe. Of course we have some great New Mexican restaurants and we love our chile . . . on everything. But we also have great Asian food, amazing French cuisine, Salvadoran food, Italian, African, Tibetan, vegetarian…you name it. And don’t get us started on the taco trucks. You could eat out every night of the year at a different place. Get an idea of what the Santa Fe restaurant scene is all about with our Santa Fe dining directory.

5. Driving here can be…interesting

We hear lots of complaints about the drivers in Santa Fe, but take them with a grain of salt because we live in a small town and such things are talked about in small towns. The truth is we’re not anywhere near the worst drivers in the United States. Mostly you will need to be prepared for drivers going under the speed limit. Oh, and tourists trying to figure out our whacky streets. And if you’re coming from a big city, we don’t tend to honk our horns unless someone is looking at their cell phone when the light turns green.

If you move here, you will likely be one of those people trying to figure out our street system. It’s based on the Spanish plaza system, where the plaza mayor is the center of the city and all roads radiate from there. Also, Santa Fe was founded more than 400 years ago, so many of the streets were really built as cart paths for foot and horse traffic. If you’ve been to Europe, you’ll have some understanding of how windy the streets can be.

When you need to transfer your title, get plates or get a New Mexico Driver’s license, make an appointment at MVD Express and get in and out in a jiffy.

6. Tourism drives the economy here

Santa Fe gets about 2 million visitors a year. And because we have so many visitors, much of the economy is geared to tourists and part-time residents. The great part about this is we have tons of great restaurants and shops. The bad can be that prices are a little high depending on where you eat, drink, and shop.

Those drawbacks, however, are mitigated by the fact that you will meet tons of interesting people with tons of interesting stories. It also means that Santa Fe has a laid-back personality that inevitably turns many visitors in those who are moving to Santa Fe. In addition, you can enjoy those same places tourists flock to see, like the iconic Santa Fe Opera and immersive experience at Meow Wolf!

7. Figuring out where to live in Santa Fe

The housing market in Santa Fe is a little crunched at the moment. Rental occupancy rates are north of 97% according to official statistics, which has put a squeeze on available rentals and driven up rates. But if you have the right strategy and have some flexibility, you’re more likely to find something that fits your needs. Summer season has higher demand, so look in fall or spring. Ask everyone you know in town if they know of anything: chances are word of mouth can help you as much as the online listings.

If you are buying a home, the situation is a little different. Inventory is still tight, but open-minded buyers can still find relative deals (especially if you are coming from the East Coast or West Coast) that might need a little bit of updating to bring them out of the 1970s. If you have means, there are many larger homes that have loads of Santa Fe charm. Check our Santa Fe Real Estate Services guide to find someone who can guide you through the home-buying process.

Also keep in mind that Santa Fe’s neighborhoods are very diverse and where you live doesn’t define you.

8. Going out in Santa Fe

Santa Fe may not be much of a late-night town, but there is always something going on. Our fine dining is unparalleled for such a small town. And because we have such a strong artistic community there is always an amazing play, reading, or art opening somewhere. We have world-class museums here, with many downtown and more up on Museum Hill. Santa Fe also has a large intellectual community, so we have regular lectures from global thought leaders.

If you’re more into live music, we have that, too. Of course, there’s the Santa Fe Opera, as well as the Santa Fe Symphony, and many other options. In the past few years, the town has gone from loads of restaurant acoustic acts to legitimate performance venues. Much of this is down to Meow Wolf, but The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing has brought in some big names and 2nd Street Rufina and Tumbleroot offer great shows, as well. Just looking for a place to enjoy a cold one with friends? Here’s our list of seven local breweries to visit.

And if you’re looking for late night (at least for Santa Fe), there are a couple of options in town. Box Car is a great one for late-night eats and DJ shows, while Matador, Evangelo’s, and Tonic all stay open until 2.

9. Like the outdoors?

Where do we even start? The mountain biking in Santa Fe is amazing. The hiking is even better. Skiing at our little hill is sublime when the snow is good. Fishing our nearby streams and lakes is challenging but rewarding. Kayaking and rafting, birding . . . OK, hopefully you’re getting the idea.

If you are an outdoorsy person, Santa Fe is a great place to live. The city has invested heavily on paved bike paths, marked bike lanes, and more. The county has built singletrack hiking and biking trails on the outskirts of town. Much of town is bordered by national forest and BLM land. And within a short drive are lakes, rivers, hot springs, and more.

1. Ski Santa Fe

Ski Santa Fe makes the top of our list, because despite the impending warm weather and extended daylight you may need one last winter hoorah. The 2022 ski season ends April 3 (unless extended due to our late winter snowfall), so time is of the essence. Let’s go play in the snow! Ski Santa Fe has over 70 trails of varying ski levels. Ski Santa Fe has lessons, Chipmunk Corner for the little ones, Totemoff for a mid-run hot chocolate or hot toddy, and unlimited fun on the hills. For rental information, lift ticket prices, snow and trail conditions, visit skisantafe.com. Every Saturday until closing there is live music at Totemoff from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2. The Margarita Trail

Next up on our list is a trail of a different sorts, one that won’t leave you winded, or in the middle of the wilderness (at least we hope not, but that is up to you). That’s right we are talking about the Margarita Trail! Not familiar with the Margarita Trail? That’s ok, we got you covered. Check out our stellar article about Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail here. One of our more impressive feats as a city, 45 restaurants and bars have come together to give you 45 different kinds of margaritas.This trail may take you the whole spring break to hike, but YOLO and all that. You are welcome. Sincerely, The City Different.

3. Best Restaurants in Santa Fe

Here in Santa Fe we know that we are what we eat, and we want to make sure that you know we are made of delicious food. Food is our love language. Santa Fe has so many unique restaurants that there is quite literally something for every palate. Good thing there are at least three meals in a day, because you will need that many and more to try and get through the culinary jungle that is Santa Fe. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of favorites, or you can learn where to go to eat like a local. Wherever you choose to go, and whatever you choose to eat, we know you won’t be disappointed. Because after a long day of adventures, nothing soothes the soul like an amazing meal surrounded by great company. Salud!

4. Day Trips From Santa Fe

Do you hear that? That is the sound of the open road calling you. The road trip is a time honored American tradition. Santa Fe is proud to say that it has played an important role in this time honored tradition since 1926 with the advent of the Mother Road, Route 66. Even in our modern society where we are just an app click away from whatever our hearts desire, there is still something about the siren call of the open road that the heart can’t ignore. There is something magical about the limitless possibilities of a full tank of gas, a cooler of snacks, and the open road. Whether you are just wanting to take a day trip, or something a bit longer. From ghost towns, to caves, to ancient history, New Mexico offers so much to see and do. So grab your sunglasses, some good tunes, and hit the road.

5. Meow Wolf

It’s been some years since Santa Fe was gifted with the one of a kind experience that is Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return. Even though it has been around for a while, we will never tire of putting it on all our lists of things to do. It is just that awesome, ever changing, and it’s completely impossible to see it all in just one trip. It’s pretty simple, if you haven’t gone, go, and if you have gone, it’s time to go again. It truly is something where words fall short, and only experience can explain.

Pro tip* come with an open mind, wear comfy shoes, and clothes that you can move freely in . . . there is some climbing, and mind bending involved!

6. Sky Railway

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! Climb aboard the new Sky Railway and expect the unexpected as you travel the historic rail between Santa Fe and Lamy, New Mexico. Entertainers, music, great food, and drink await you on Sky Railway. With a creative team led by George RR Martin, Sky Railway is developing a lineup of entertainment adventure rail trips that will make it one of the most original, imaginative, and exciting short-line railroads in the country, befitting the City Different. All aboard!!

7. Children’s Museum

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is one of the great staples of childhood here in Santa Fe. There is so much to do: story time, magnets, face painting, giant bubbles, model trains,  planetariums, wind tubes, giant blocks, dress up, puppet theatre, gardening, climbing, even just the simple joys of digging a hole. The Children’s Museum has it all. It is so much fun, that your kids won’t even notice they are learning. After all, they say the greatest teacher of all is play.

8. Live Entertainment

All the world’s a stage, and Santa is just the kind of place to foster such a sentiment. Live theatre, and concerts are very much our jam. On any given day you are guaranteed to find live music somewhere in town or nearby.  We like music, that much is clear, but we also are pretty big into theatre. Santa Fe plays home to some of the oldest theatre west of the Mississippi. Our former VaudeVille house, The Lensic, has transformed into a world renowned modern road house that hosts local events and world class traveling theatre alike. Our community theatre scene is not lacking either, you can find local companies and players strutting the boards pretty consistently Thursday through Sunday every week. Not sure where to look? Here is our entertainment directory, and some of our favorite venues. Enjoy the show, or shows.

9. Canyon Road

The fabled Canyon Road is a half a mile stretch of more than 100 galleries, artist studios, clothing boutiques, home furnishing shops, jewelry stores and gourmet restaurants. Take a leisurely stroll through one of the most inspiring blocks in the Santa Fe’s Historic District, and enjoy the crafts of hundreds of America’s and the world’s top artists while doing it. If you walk it twice it’s a mile! Congratulations! You got your steps in and took in some culture at the same time.

10. Casinos Near Santa Fe

Hey big spender! Come spend a little time with our favorite casinos! There is something about the sounds and lights of a casino that are entrancing even if you aren’t the gambling type.

Buffalo Thunder boasts 1,200 slot machines, 19 Keno games, a dedicated poker room, race book, high limit slot area, and the largest table games pit in Northern New Mexico.

Tesuque Casino provides over 800 slot machines (and counting), as well as 10 table games, and bingo every Monday through Wednesday at 1:00pm and 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm. Enjoy gaming while taking in historic views of a pueblo that has been around since 1200 AD.

Santa Claran Casino is nestled in northern New Mexico’s Española Valley with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. With around 700 slot machines from high-limit slots, to nickel, quarter or dollar slots, you’ll find your game here.

Black Mesa Casino was named by the Journal North to the top 3 Best Slot Machines Category in its Readers Choice List. Located halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Black Mesa has over 600 of the latest slot machines and is constantly evolving to bring in the latest machines. No matter where you go to play, we hope Lady Luck is with you. If you happen to hit it big, don’t forget your good friends over at Santafe.com, ;-).

11. Spas

Is there anything more relaxing than a spa day? Just hearing the words spa is relaxing.

Ten Thousand Waves, located 10 minutes from downtown, is dedicated to providing a Japanese sense of serenity and relaxation. They have private hot tubs and communal tubs available. This includes outdoor hot tubs, cold plunges, saunas, lounging decks and other amenities. Spa suites are completely self-contained with hot tubs, saunas, cooling berths, and your own private changing room and showers. If you haven’t sat in a hot tub surrounded by snow, have you ever truly relaxed?

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is one of the oldest natural health resorts in the country. Their sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters from a subterranean volcanic aquifer have flowed for thousands of years. Ojo Caliente is the only hot springs in the world with four different types of mineral water including lithia, iron, soda and arsenic. What could possibly be more nurturing than nature?

Ojo Santa Fe is located south of town in the wetlands of Santa Fe. Enjoy the views of 70 acres of breathtaking  gardens, walking paths and scenic high desert landscape while you soak in the historic gently heated spring-fed waters.

The hotels of Santa Fe also provide many soothing spa experiences, check out our spa directory for more information. Enjoy your soak!

12. Brewery Tour

Beer! We love beer! Long gone are the days of boring, flavorless, bulk beer. We like to think that Santa Fe had a hand in the craft beer revolution. We will just go ahead and say we did. The artistry of the brew (and the consumption of said brewings) is a favorite past time of Santa Fe.There are so many amazing craft beers available in our fair city that it will be near impossible to list them all here. Don’t you worry though. We have a splendid article on the subject that we think you might enjoy! Cheers!

13. Puye Cliff Dwellings

If you want to feel humbled by history, and those that came before us, then there is no destination more capable of that than the Puye Cliff Dwellings. Created by the ancestors of the Santa Clara people, Puye Cliffs was home to 1,500 Pueblo Indians who lived there from the 900s to 1580 A.D. It is a true testament to early Pueblo architecture.

14. Museum Hill

Located on the historic Santa Fe Trail that brought settlers west from Missouri. Four museums sit on a hill. Hence the name. Museum hill is home to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of Indian Art and Culture, Museum of International Folk Art, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. It is a beautiful way to spend a spring day. You can even grab lunch at the Museum Hill Cafe so you don’t have to stop exploring.

15. Where to Bowl

It has been a minute, but bowling is back in Santa Fe (city limits, that is)! There was much rejoicing by the citizens of Santa Fe when The Alley Lanes and Lounge opened its doors last year. It is a great place to go grab a drink, some food, and knock down some pins. They also have a pretty fantastic arcade. We might have been a little dramatic, we weren’t completely devoid of bowling. One of our favorite gems is Big Rock Bowling located at Santa Claran Hotel and Casino. They have 24 lanes of bowling, with great food, and drinks. It is a great place for the whole family.

16. Take a Hike

It is easy to forget sometimes with the hustle and bustle of the city, and modern life that we are surrounded by nature. We should all go take some time to go explore the wilderness. Here are some favorite hikes that we would love to share with you. Enjoy!

17. Go See a Movie

The Jean Cocteau Cinema started in 1976, and was pulled back from the brink of obscurity in 2013, by local legend and film lover George R.R. Martin. The Jean Cocteau has become a downtown staple of eclectic, and current cinema. Not only are they showing fine cinema, they play host to artists, singers, comedians, magicians, authors, and they just so happen to make some fantastic cocktails.

18. Take a Cooking Class

The Santa Fe School of Cooking is always a good time. It doesn’t matter if you are already a chef, or a person just trying to not burn toast. The Santa Fe School of Cooking has something for all skill levels. Check out their up coming classes, and see what strikes your fancy. Learning has never been so tasty.

No late-summer visit to Santa Fe would be complete without exploring the 103rd annual Santa Fe Indian Market, August 16 and 17, 2025. Get ready for the experience by reading our Official Santa Fe Indian Market Artist Directory & Booth Guide, either as a collectible physical copy or right here online.

For the fifth year, Hutton Broadcasting has partnered with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) to create this guide. It lists all the participating artists and their booth assignments, plus it provides a handy, detailed map of the entire market. This year’s glossy magazine includes in-depth articles on contemporary Native potters, Indigenous photographers and writers, regalia, and jewelry favorites bracelets and bolo ties. 

The guide also includes the complete SWAIA calendar of events and an Around Town listing of Indian Market-related events happening throughout Santa Fe. Be sure to check out last year’s award winning entries, too, and the other informative articles.

The Official Santa Fe Indian Market Artist Directory & Booth Guide is available here as a digital flipbook. Physical copies will be distributed throughout Santa Fe art galleries, hotels, cafés, restaurants, and other popular locations. They will also be distributed at the market itself if you can’t get one in advance. 

As you plan your visit to the hundreds of artist booths, you’ll find the 15-page artist directory to be especially helpful as artists are listed by category and then by name. The map helps you pinpoint where you can find their numbered booths. Use this handy guide to select the activities you don’t want to miss and the artists you just have to visit.

SWAIA Partnership

Jamie Schulze, the executive director of SWAIA, says, “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering again this year with Hutton Broadcasting to create the booth guide for the Santa Fe Indian Market. What they created this year is an absolutely beautiful publication, filled with quality, well-written editorial content, in-depth listings of calendar events and programming, and wonderful photography, all in an easy-to-read and accessible format for all of our attendees. And, of course, complete listings of all our booths and artists category by category.”

Indian Market Artist Directory & Booth Guide Advertisers

No undertaking like the Indian Market Artist Directory & Booth Guide could be accomplished without the support of local galleries and other organizations which advertise in the guide. 

Hutton Broadcasting’s Vice President of Sales Art Trujillo says, “We appreciate the support of the many businesses that are part of the artist directory. We couldn’t publish it without their support. In the long run, the magazine is really all about how we can help SWAIA artists market their products to the public and our advertisers help us achieve that goal.”

About the Santa Fe Indian Market

This year marks the 103rd year of the Santa Fe Indian Market, which brings Indigenous artists and art collectors together for two days on the Santa Fe Plaza. Artists are juried into nine categories: Jewelry, Sculpture, 2-D Art, Basketry, Beadwork and Quillwork, Pueblo Wooden Carvings, Pottery, Textiles, and Diverse Arts. There is also a special category for young artists. 

In addition to shopping Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. directly from the artists, visitors can enjoy entertainment on the stage on the Santa Fe Plaza as well as ceremonial dances and performances in the streets. Be wowed at the Native American Regalia Showcase on the plaza stage between 9 and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Then, when you get hungry, grab something from one of the food booths or dine at one of Santa Fe’s famed restaurants on and near the plaza.

Admission to the market is free. However, tickets to the premier events sell out fast! Plan now if you want to attend the Saturday night gala, previews, and Sunday’s prestigious and very popular Native Fashion Show. This much-celebrated event will be held at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on Sunday, August 17, at 3 p.m. Tickets will sell out, so reserve yours soon!

Art collectors from across the world gather in Santa Fe during Indian Market to be part of a week that celebrates Native artists. There are numerous other related events happening, many of which are listed in the Artist Directory & Booth Guide in the Around Town Events article on page 113. Find special opportunities to meet artists at galleries, sneak peeks of award-winning art, musical performances, and much more in that section of the guide.

This year, SWAIA received more than 1,300 artist submissions and over 1,000 Indigenous North American artists were juried into the prestigious market. 

Indian Market Week kicks off Thursday, August 14, with the by-invitation-only Get Indigenous Film Festival (GIFF) opening night party at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (contact SWAIA if you are interested in attending). GIFF continues with the premiere of several short films by Indigenous filmmakers on Friday and a Saturday brunch with filmmakers and artists, which is free with advance registration (get details on page 31 of the guide). 

Other special events include Friday’s 2025 Best of Show Awards Ceremony and Luncheon and the General Preview of Award-Winning Art at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, just a few blocks from the plaza. 

SWAIA’s Saturday evening gala and live auction will be at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. It benefits the education and advocacy work of the Southwest Association for Indian Arts, celebrating Native American art, fashion, and culture with a courtyard cocktail hour, seated dinner, a runway fashion show of Indigenous designs, and a live auction. Tickets for this popular event go fast, so be sure you reserve yours today.

There’s much more going on during Santa Fe Indian Market 2025 and you can find all the events and information in our official Santa Fe Indian Market Artist Directory & Booth Guide. Pick it up around town, or flip through the interactive guide at the top of this article.

*****

Visit swaia.org for tickets and the latest event information. The entertainment schedule and a full list of events at Indian Market are in the Artist Directory & Booth Guide. 

Learn more about the market here.

60th RockHound RoundUp — March 6 – 9, 2025

But it’s the natural resources around Deming that beg for attention, especially in March. This is when you’ll find the annual RockHound RoundUp hosted by the Deming Gem and Mineral Society. This four-day event attracts rock collectors and geologists to examine volcanic rocks, gems, and minerals. The 2025 event takes place March 6 – 9.

RockHound RoundUp is devoted to geodes, gems, fossils, quartz, and other treasures of the earth. Rock collectors join fossil fans, jewelry makers, lapidaries, quartz traders, beaders, and people who simply admire rocks. The schedule includes a buyer’s market, silent and live auctions, displays, demonstrations and guided field trips for rock collecting and sampling. People travel from all around the world to attend this event, held at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. No one leaves empty-handed.

For kids, there are fossil diggings as well as educational exhibits and a spinning wheel with prizes. Adults can participate in gold prospecting demonstrations, guided field trips, and auctions.

Come for the rocks but take advantage of the fresh air, beautiful skies, and wealth of activities and amenities you’ll discover in Deming. 

While You’re In Deming . . .

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring City of Rocks State Park with its unique volcanic rock formations. To the south is Pancho Villa State Park, named after the Mexican revolutionary and now boasting a hundred campsites, picnicking, and hiking trails. East of town is Rockhound State Park. In addition to tent and electric sites for camping, you’ll also discover this park is the first in the nation to let visitors take rock specimens like jasper, quartz, geodes, and crystals with them making it a must-see for Roundup attendees.

When you’re ready to relax, Deming offers a variety of dining options, local coffee shops, and two world-class wineries for a taste of New Mexico’s wine history.

So come rock out in Deming this spring but be sure to plan for a few days to get the true experience of all the adventures Deming’s wide-open spaces offer. 

For over five decades, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival has delivered world-class chamber music performances to the heart of the Southwest, and the 2025 season continues this proud tradition.

This internationally acclaimed festival belongs at the top of your list of “things to do” in Santa Fe in summer 2025. Attending the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival means participating in a City Different cultural tradition that has enthralled audiences for 53 years.

About Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival was conceptualized in 1972 by pianist Alicia Schachter-Rich and music and film producer Sheldon Rich. Inspired during a visit to Santa Fe, the couple envisioned an international chamber music festival with the highest quality of artistry and strong community engagement.

The Santa Fe Chamber’s inaugural 1973 season featured six concerts at the St. Francis Auditorium, marking the beginning of a cultural institution that continues to thrive today. 

Guided by composer, pianist, and artistic director Marc Neikrug since 1998, the festival continues to push boundaries while honoring its roots.

With a reputation for attracting some of the most distinguished musicians and ensembles from around the globe, the festival offers audiences the opportunity to hear beloved classics alongside contemporary works that infuse tradition with innovation.

The festival has commissioned and premiered more than 100 new compositions from top composers such as Magnus Lindberg and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich over its five-decade history. The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival champions distinguished and promising living composers and drives creativity in the classical music world. 

The festival is an immersive experience that brings audiences into close contact with the artists, the music, and the spirit of collaboration that defines chamber music.

2025 Summer Gala: An Elegant Evening Under the Stars

Kick off the 52nd season of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in style at Cirque des Sons, a one-of-a-kind opening weekend 2025 Festival Gala celebration on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Held at the award-winning Bishop’s Lodge, just north of downtown Santa Fe, this magical evening blends fine dining, top-shelf cocktails, and enchanting entertainment inspired by The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. 

Bishop’s Lodge, honored by Condé Nast Traveler as the top resort in the U.S. Mountain West (No. 10 in the world), provides a luxurious atmosphere to enjoy the 2025 Festival Gala. Attendees planning to stay for the July 13 season opening concert can take advantage of up to 30% off lodging at Bishop’s Lodge. Early booking is highly recommended. 

Cirque des Sons guests will be treated to high-flying circus arts by Wise Fool New Mexico. Plus, bid at a fast-moving exclusive item live auction with proceeds benefiting K–12 music education programs. Tickets are $800; you may purchase up to four tickets at a time online.

Early reservations are strongly recommended as this signature event typically sells out weeks in advance.

Get 2025 Festival Gala tickets now!

Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Artists

The 2025 Festival Artists roster reads like a who’s who of classical music excellence. This summer brings together an extraordinary collection of world-renowned musicians in Santa Fe, including Grammy Award winners, principal players from major orchestras, and celebrated chamber ensembles from across the globe.

Marc Neikrug’s thoughtful programming creates unique combinations of musicians for once-in-a-lifetime collaborative performances you won’t hear anywhere else. For those seeking the finest classical music performances by extraordinary musicians, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience these artists in intimate, acoustically superb settings.

Must-See Performances & Events: 2025 Festival Season 

The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival schedule features a curated selection of chamber music masterpieces, contemporary works, and events from internationally-acclaimed artists and rising stars.

SHEPHERD ON THE ROCK

July 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Schubert’s exquisite The Shepherd on the Rock kicks off the season, performed by four-time Grammy Award–winning clarinetist Todd Levy and two extraordinary artists making their Festival debuts: soprano Liv Redpath and pianist George Fu. The powerhouse program also includes fiery works by Enescu and Shostakovich, featuring acclaimed violinists Leila Josefowicz and Yura Lee, pianist Gilles Vonsattel, and cellist Paul Watkins.

BAM!! INSIGHTS ON THE BRAIN & MUSIC (1/3)

July 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Explore the fascinating neuroscience behind music with Princeton’s Dr. Elizabeth H. Margulis. Discover how music immerses us, shapes our thoughts through repetition, and evokes memories, drawing on fMRI research and insights into earworms and the speech-to-song illusion.

SHEPHERD ON THE ROCK

July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Hear Schubert’s exquisite The Shepherd on the Rock performed by four-time Grammy Award–winning clarinetist Todd Levy and two extraordinary artists making their Festival debuts: soprano Liv Redpath and pianist George Fu. The powerhouse program also includes fiery works by Enescu and Shostakovich, featuring acclaimed violinists Leila Josefowicz and Yura Lee, pianist Gilles Vonsattel, and cellist Paul Watkins.

RAVEL & SHEPHERD

July 15, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
This program opens with the New Mexico premiere of Sean Shepherd’s Latticework for Violin and Cello, written for superstar violinist Leila Josefowicz and cellist Paul Watkins.  Josefowicz and Watkins also play Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, and Ran Dank performs Rachmaninoff’s dramatic Piano Sonata No. 2.

REDPATH & FU RECITAL

July 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Soprano Liv Redpath and pianist George Fu reunite for an intimate recital featuring powerful songs by Schubert, Wolf, Grieg, and Strauss, alongside Debussy’s captivating works inspired by his muse, Marie-Blanche Vasnier.

BEETHOVEN & MENDELSSOHN

July 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Get lost in popular classics by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. The program features Beethoven’s Piano and Winds Quintet, Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata performed by Paul Watkins and Ran Dank, and Mendelssohn’s passionate Piano Trio in C Minor.

GILLES VONSATTEL PIANO RECITAL

July 17, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Pianist Gilles Vonsattel performs a solo piano recital featuring three compelling Beethoven sonatas: the early, groundbreaking Grande Sonate Op. 7, the tender Op. 90, and the intimate masterpiece of his late period, Op. 101.

SOLO BACH 

July 19, 5 – 6:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
J.S. Bach masterpieces come alive in the expressive power of solo instrumentation performed by cellist Mark Kosower, violinist Yura Lee, and pianist Ran Dank). The program features Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1, Violin Sonata No. 3, and Keyboard Partita No. 4.

SCHUBERT & KORNGOLD

July 20, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Pianist Juho Pohjonen begins this program with a collection of Schubert’s late piano works, followed by his lyrical Duo Sonata with violinist Yura Lee. The evening concludes with Korngold’s lush String Sextet, led by Festival-favorite, violinist Paul Huang.

SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT

July 21, 10 a.m.
New Mexico Museum of Art
Mozart and Prokofiev for Violin and Piano Paul Huang, violin; Orion Weiss, piano. The Festival’s SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS are generously sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Trust and The Fasken Foundation.Free busing for youth groups by reservation only, first come, first served: call 505-983-2075 x 113, or Ivy@sfcmf.org.  For more information, visit www.SantaFeChamberMusic.com/education

SCHUBERT & KORNGOLD

July 21, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Attend a youthful program featuring a selection of Schubert’s poignant late piano pieces and his lyrical Duo Sonata with violinist Yura Lee. The concert concludes with Korngold’s rich, late-Romantic String Sextet, performed by six festival musicians.

JUHO POHJONEN PIANO RECITAL 

July 22, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Prepare to be enthralled by a captivating solo piano recital by Juho Pohjonen, featuring works from the 19th to 21st centuries. The program includes Beethoven’s fantasy-like Sonata Op. 27 No. 1 and Liszt’s virtuosic Dante Fantasy, alongside pieces by Jyrki Linjama and Messiaen.

AILYN PÉREZ & JULIUS DRAKE RECITAL

July 23, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art

Extraordinary soprano Ailyn Pérez, makes her Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival debut with acclaimed pianist Julius Drake.  Their program features Robert Schumann’s profoundly expressive song cycle Frauenliebe und Leben as well as works by Richard Strauss, Joaquín Turina, and Xavier Montsalvatge.

DVORAK DUMKY TRIO

July 23, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Enjoy an intimate program with pianists Juho Pohjonen and Orion Weiss, violinist Paul Huang, and cellists Nicholas Canellakis and Mark Kosower in various pairings. Hear Piatti’s Serenade for Two Cellos and Piano, Beethoven’s dramatic Violin Sonata in C Minor, and Dvořák’s beloved Dumky Trio.

PAUL HUANG & ORION WEISS RECITAL

July 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss violinist Paul Huang and pianist Orion Weiss performing Mozart’s sparkling Sonata in F Major, Prokofiev’s haunting Sonata in F Minor, and Arvo Pärt’s minimalist masterpiece of solace, Spiegel im Spiegel.

ORION WEISS PLAYS THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS

July 26, 5 – 6 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning pianist Orion Weiss performs Bach’s immortal Goldberg Variations, one of the greatest and best-known works of the solo-piano repertoire. 

MOZART & SCHUMANN

July 27, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Mozart & Schumann program begins with Mozart’s stately Piano and Winds Quintet followed by the return of the The Calidore String Quartet returns with in a performance of Shostakovich’s intense and haunting String Quartet No. 8 and joins Orion Weiss for Schumann’s exuberant Piano Quintet with pianist Orion Weiss. 

SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT

JULY 28, 10 a.m.
New Mexico Museum of Art
SCHUMANN Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 Orion Weiss, piano; Calidore String Quartet (Jeffrey Myers, Ryan Meehan, violin; Jeremy Berry, viola; Estelle Choi, cello). The Festival’s SUMMER YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS are generously sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Trust and The Fasken Foundation.Free busing for youth groups by reservation only, first come, first served: call 505-983-2075 x 113, or Ivy@sfcmf.org.  For more information, visit www.SantaFeChamberMusic.com/education.

MOZART & SCHUMANN

July 28, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Calidore String Quartet returns to the Festival with a performance of Shostakovich’s intense String Quartet No. 8 and Schumann’s exuberant Piano Quintet featuring pianist Orion Weiss. The program begins with Mozart’s stately Piano and Winds Quintet performed by Festival musicians.

CALIDORE STRING QUARTET

July 29, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The “astonishingly life-affirming music-making” of the Calidore String Quartet presents a is front and center on this diverse program featuring Korngold’s post-Romantic String Quartet in D Major (drawing from his film scores), Haydn’s delightful String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5, and Caroline Shaw’s enthralling, Haydn-inspired Entr’acte.

ERIKA BAIKOFF & JULIUS DRAKE RECITAL

July 30, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning soprano Erika Baikoff makes her festival debut with pianist Julius Drake in a stirring program of 19th-century works. Be swept away by beloved songs by Schubert, a brilliant piece by Liszt, and captivating romances by Tchaikovsky.

BRIDGE & MENDELSSOHN

July 30, 6 – 7:40 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Orion Weiss, Jennifer Frautschi, and Felix Fan, and festival musicians deliver perform Frank Bridge’s eerie piano trio masterpiece alongside which is framed by two more lighthearted works, Beethoven’s variations on Mozart’s Là ci darem la mano and Mendelssohn’s exuberant String Quintet Op. 87.

MIAMI STRING QUARTET

July 31, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
A festival favorite since 1998, the Miami String Quartet returns to perform Haydn’s stately Emperor Quartet and Erwin Schulhoff’s fiery early 20th-century String Quartet in G Major.

NEW MUSIC WITH THE JACK QUARTET

August 1, 6 – 7 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The JACK Quartet, praised for their impeccable musicianship, makes their highly-anticipated Santa Fe Chamber Musical Festival debut. Hear exciting 21st-century works by Anthony Cheung and Helmut Lachenmann, plus world premieres of festival-commissioned string quartets by rising composers Ania Vu and Tyson Gholston Davis.

RENAISSANCE MUSIC WITH THE JACK QUARTET 

August 2, 5 – 6 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Experience a uniquely eclectic program with the “fearless” JACK Quartet, featuring their own realizations of Renaissance and Medieval works, alongside Renaissance-flavored commissions from Juri Seo and Keir GoGwilt, and Caleb Burhans.

BARTÓK & BEETHOVEN

August 3, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The Miami String Quartet joins clarinetist David Shifrin for Weber’s spirited Clarinet Quintet, and Jennifer Frautschi and Shai Wosner perform Bartók’s intoxicating Violin Sonata No. 2. The program also features Beethoven’s seminal String Trio in D Major.

BAM!! INSIGHTS ON THE BRAIN & MUSIC (2/3)

August 4, 12 – 1:00 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, executive director of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function explores the therapeutic power of music for memory and neurologic function. Discover how music-based interventions can enhance memory, stimulate connections in those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and improve senior wellness.

BARTÓK & BEETHOVEN

August 4, 6 – 8 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Violinist Jennifer Frautschi and pianist Shai Wosner perform Bartók’s intoxicating Violin Sonata No. 2. The program also includes Beethoven’s seminal String Trio in D Major and the Miami String Quartet joins legendary clarinetist David Shifrin for Weber’s spirited Clarinet Quintet.

SHAI WOSNER PIANO RECITAL

August 5, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Award-winning pianist Shai Wosner, praised for his delicate and beautiful playing, performs beloved works by Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven, including the revolutionary Appassionata Sonata. The program also features George Benjamin’s Relativity Rag, a short but surprising take on the infectious rag form.

ESCHER STRING QUARTET

August 6, 12 – 1:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The renowned Escher String Quartet performs Dvořák’s masterful Op. 105 and gives the U.S. premiere of Julian Anderson’s Festival-commissioned String Quartet No. 4. The program begins with the Andante and Scherzo from Mendelssohn’s Op. 81.

MOZART & DOHNÁNYI

August 6, 6 – 7:40 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Daniel Phillips and Soyeon Kate Lee perform this program’s centerpiece, Schumann’s passionate Violin Sonata in A Minor. The program opens with Mozart’s dark-hued Viola Quintet and concludes with Dohnányi’s stunningly inventive Sextet featuring clarinetist David Shifrin and Berlin Philharmonic Principal Horn Stefan Dohr.

COLIN CURRIE PERCUSSION RECITAL

August 7, 2 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss the highly anticipated festival debut of Colin Currie, hailed as “the world’s finest and most daring percussionist,” in the festival’s first-ever solo percussion recital. His wide-ranging program includes works by Rolf Wallin and Andy Akiho, the U.S. premiere of a new work by Dani Howard, and more in Santa Fe.

BACH & BIBER 

August 9, 5 – 6:10 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Cleveland Orchestra Principal Oboe oboist Frank Rosenwein performs makes his Festival debut on this program which features Bach’s Sonata from A Musical Offering, Telemann’s Quartet from Tafelmusik, and Biber’s expressive Violin Sonata No. 3, performed by violinist Daniel Phillips and harpsichordist Paolo Bordignon. 

LIGETI & ENESCU 

August 10, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Experience major 20th-century works: Bartók’s captivating Contrasts; Ligeti‘s unique Horn Trio Hommage à Brahms with Stefan Dohr, William Hagen, and Kirill Gerstein; and Enescu’s grand Octet led by acclaimed violinist Chad Hoopes.

BAM!! Insights on the Brain & Music (3 of 3) 

August 11, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Join Dr. Assal Habibi from USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute as she discusses the impact of musical training on child brain development. Learn about longitudinal studies revealing improvements in auditory, cognitive, and executive skills, and the neuroplastic changes observed through MRIs and EEGs in Santa Fe.

BRAHMS HORN TRIO 

August 11, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Kirill Gerstein, William Hagen, and Stefan Dohr perform Brahm’s Horn Trio, and  Steve Reich’s Mallet Quartet features percussionists Colin Currie, Daniel Druckman, Doug Perkins, and Gregory Zuber. The program also includes Dohnányi’s Serenade and the U.S. premiere of Freya Waley-Cohen’s Stone Fruit. 

CHAD HOOPES & KATIA SKANAVI RECITAL 

August 12, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Don’t miss the final violin-and-piano recital of the festival with Chad Hoopes and Katia Skanavi performing Brahms’s graceful Sonata in A Major and Beethoven’s groundbreaking and virtuosic Kreutzer Sonata.

KIRILL GERSTEIN PIANO RECITAL 

August 13, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Kirill Gerstein performs a delicate and haunting piano recital, featuring works inspired by flowers and waltzes, from Schumann’s Blumenstück to Ravel’s La Valse. Gerstein also performs Francisco Coll’s new work, Waltzes Toward Civilization and a collection of flower miniatures by György Kurtag.

MARC NEIKRUG’S THROUGH ROSES 

August 13, 6 – 7:45 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Immerse yourself in a dazzling evening of late-20th-century stage works. Tony award-winner John Rubinstein stars in and directs Marc Neikrug’s WWII-set “play with music,” Through Roses, and New Mexico’s own Chatter Ensemble debuts with Peter Maxwell Davies’s avant-garde Eight Songs for a Mad King featuring baritone Michael Hix.

DOVER QUARTET 

August 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
The acclaimed Dover Quartet, hailed as one of the greatest string quartets of the last century, performs Dvořák’s beloved American Quartet and Schumann’s masterful String Quartet in A Minor.

INDIAN MARKET CONCERT 

August 15, 6 – 7 p.m.
St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art
Enjoy a free Indian Market concert featuring Roberto Capocchi performing solo guitar works by Falla, Villa-Lobos, Leo Brouwer, and Marc Neikrug.

BACH DOUBLE VIOLIN CONCERTO 

August 16, 6 – 7 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Prepare for a powerhouse program featuring Boccherini’s lyrical Cello Concerto in B-flat with Camden Shaw, Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor with recently-named Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster Joel Link, and the cherished Bach Double Violin Concerto performed by Chad Hoopes and Bryan Lee.

MOZART & BRAHMS 

August 17, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
Virtuoso violinist William Hagen leads  Mozart‘s exquisite String Quintet in D Major and Kirill Gerstein performs Brahms’s grand Piano Quartet in A Major. The program opens with Villa-Lobos’s playful Jet Whistle for flute and cello.

BEETHOVEN & DVOŘÁK 

August 18, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lensic Performing Arts Center
The festival concludes its 52nd season with Beethoven’s powerful Storm Quintet  featuring violinist Ida Kavafian and Dvořák’s sweeping Piano Quartet in E-flat Major with pianist Katia Skanavi.

Historic Santa Fe Venues: Where Musical Magic Happens

The festival venues are as integral to the experience as the music itself. Each performance space combines historical significance with exceptional acoustics, creating perfect environments for chamber music’s intricate textures and nuances.

St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art

Perhaps the most iconic Santa Fe music venue, this historic 1917 400-seat auditorium features hand-carved vigas (ceiling beams), traditional adobe Pueblo Revival style architecture, and natural acoustics that seem custom-designed for chamber music.

The Lensic Performing Arts Center

This meticulously restored 1931 Spanish Moorish-style theater offers architectural grandeur and acoustic excellence. With its ornate detailing and perfect sightlines, the 821-seat Lensic Performing Arts Center transforms larger ensemble performances into intimate experiences.

Join the Chamber Music Community

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival thrives because of its passionate supporters and engaged audience. Here’s how you can become part of this vibrant community:

Ticket Options

• Season Subscription Packages: Subscription packages offer the best value for experiencing multiple festival performances, with guaranteed seating and exclusive subscriber events.
• Single Performance Tickets: Buy single tickets for Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival 2025 starting May 1, 2025.

Support the Festival

Support the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and deepen your connection to world-class music. Businesses can amplify their community impact by exploring corporate sponsorship opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to the arts in Santa Fe. 

Contact Joseph Hohlfeld, director of development, to donate by phone, ext. 108, email, or mail contributions to:

The Director of Development
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
P.O. Box 2227
Santa Fe, NM, 87504-2227

Subscribe to the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival newsletter for updates on events and special offers.

Feel the Transformative Power of Chamber Music

The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival provides transformative and transcendent moments through extraordinary music, performed by world-class artists in magnificent settings.

The festival welcomes you to experience why Santa Fe has become synonymous with summer musical excellence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness chamber music’s emotional power in one of America’s most beautiful cultural destinations. Explore the full schedule and buy your tickets today.

The 2025 Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival runs July 13 – August 18, with the Summer Gala at Bishop’s Lodge on July 11. For more information on performances, artists, venues, and tickets, visit SantaFeChamberMusic.org.

STORY SPONSORED BY SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

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Hocus Pocus

The original and still the best tale of the Sanderson sisters, three daffy witches trying to make a comeback after a 300-year dirt nap, and the plucky kids who thwart their evil intentions. Corny jokes and sight gags aside, the atmosphere is colorful and lively in the way that only “scary” Disney films can be. Stars the powerhouse trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. 1993. Rated PG. 96 minutes.

Mad Monster Party?

If you’re a fan of the old Universal monsters (and really, what horror fan worth their calm superiority isn’t?), this one is a must-see, whether it’s the season or not. All of the greats are gathered together for a party at Drac’s castle. What could go wrong? Sure, it’s 55 years old, but it still stands up better than a mummy in a moth storm. Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller lend their vocal cords. 1967. Unrated. 94 minutes.

Paranorman

Not all kids who can see dead people are mopey. Norman is one of those. He’s just an average animated kid trying to save his town from a zombie invasion, by using his secret power to converse with the undead. Of course, he has help, but if you’re expecting a typical Disney ride, you’d better buckle in. Paranorman is not one of those. Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Alex Borstein, and John Goodman provide vocal backup. 2012. Rated PG. 93 minutes.

Corpse Bride

A weird little number from the weird imagination of Tim Burton, about a comely young dead girl who crushes on a shy, but still breathing, young, soon-to-be-married boy, and makes his life a living heck. An all-star cast, including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily, Watson, Tracey Ullman, Joanna Lumley, Albert Finney, Christopher Lee, and oodles more give voice to the ghastly proceedings. 2005. Rated PG. 77 minutes.

Coraline

From the acclaimed mind of best-selling author Neil Gaiman comes this odd little animated tale of a plucky 11-year-old who trips into spookily idealized version of her frustratingly dysfunctional home life, and a few sinister secrets, too. Another cavalcade of stars, including Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, and Ian McShane make mouth noises. 2009. Rated PG. 100 minutes.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

British Claymation treasures Wallace & Gromit become the only hope for the terrorized people of their village after a monstrous saboteur threatens their age-old tradition: the annual giant vegetable growing contest. W&G are unsung heroes of the monster-grabbing trade. Just saying. Vocal patterns by Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Mark Gatiss, and a bunch of real-life English people. 2005. Rated G. 85 minutes.

Beetlejuice

The ghost with the most takes on the case of a boring dead couple after they have a falling out with an obnoxious new family that has moved into and renovated their stodgy old home. And they have a goth daughter. Who sees dead people. Hilarity ensues. Tim Burton directed this surreal boofest, starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherin O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, Winona Ryder, and Glenn Shadix. 1988. Rated PG. 92 minutes.

The Lost Boys

Joel Schumacher’s rad ‘80s vampire tale turns Dicken’s Oliver Twist on its jugular, in this tale of a single mother who moves to a beach town with her beautiful children for a little peace and quiet, only to fall foul of a nest of bloodsuckers with great hair. Stars Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Huges, Kiefer Sutherland, Edward Herrmann, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman, Alex Winter and others. 1987. Rated R, but a soft ‘80s R. 97 minutes.

Ghostbusters

The original metaphysical mop-up crew gets its start when ghostly activity goes off the charts in New York City and they find themselves in the unenviable position of being the only geeks who can stop a roided-out supermodel and her demon dogs from taking over the city. Say that three times fast! Stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, and more. 1984. Rated PG. 105 minutes.

The Addams Family

The first big screen rom-com adaptation of Charles Addams gothic etchings, about a psychotic family and their unhinged quiet daily lives, until con artists make the mistake of attempting to weasel their way into their all-too-eager clutches. Hilarity ensues. Features Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, and a bunch of other people you probably don’t remember. 1991. Rated PG-13. 99 minutes.

The Witches

The original and still the best version of Roald Dahl’s freaky little book about a nosy orphan who discovers an evil plot to rid England of children, after stumbling into a witch’s convention in a seaside hotel and is turned into a mouse. Much better than that horrible HBO Max remake. Stars Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher, Rowan Atkinson, Brenda Blethyn, and more eccentric English people. 1990. Rated PG. 91 minutes.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Before the angsty teen soap opera that bewitched a generation of television viewers, Joss Whedon’s original comedy neckbiter — about a pert, self-centered cheerleader who discovers it’s her job to rid the world of grody vampires, whether she likes it or not — gave new meaning to the word “campy.” Stars Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry, Hilary Swank, David Arquette, and others. 1992. Rated PG-13. 86 minutes.

Ernest Scared Stupid

Probably the dumbest horror movie ever made, but beneath the veneer of pork cracklins and cheap beer lies a heart of comic gold, about a bumbling lackwit who accidentally unleashes a child-obsessed troll on his small town and must then become its unlikely hero. Jim Varney and Eartha Kitt lend their best scenery-chewing theatrics to this goofy romp that made “bugger lips” a popular ‘90s insult for about five minutes. 1991. Rated PG. 91 minutes.

Casper

The movie adaptation of the popular comic book from Famous Studios, which asks the question, what would the Pillsbury doughboy’s ghost look like? Friendly, that’s what! Even when an “afterlife therapist” and his spirited daughter are hired to exorcise the mansion he haunts with his fleshie-hating uncles. Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarity, and Eric Idle lend star power. 1995. Rated PG. 100 minutes.

Hotel Transylvania

More than just a retread of Mad Monster Party?, because this animated monsterfest from animation pioneer Genndy Tartakovsky gives Drac a teenage daughter, which turns the entire classic-monsters-gathered-together trope into a family free-for-all of hormone horrors. Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Fran Drescher, Molly Shannon, and more funny people crack-wise for the mic. 1012. Rated PG. 91 minutes.

The Watcher in The Woods

Disney’s sadly forgotten haunted house movie about a normal American family who move to a creepy old house with a terrible secret is probably best known as one of the last performances by the late, great Bette Davis. Creepy cool with a slow burn of mounting tension missing from many horror films today. Also stars Lynn-Holly Johnson, Kyle Richards, Carroll Baker, and David McCallum. 1980. Rated PG. 84 minutes.

Gremlins

Cute little critters become heck-raising beasties that turn a small town upside down, in Chris Columbus and Joe Dante’s clever cautionary tale about what happens when we forget to follow the rules. Traumatizing Christmas stories aside, this one is a delight for all ages, skewering ‘80s movie tropes gleefully. Features Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Corey Feldman, and Judge Reinhold. 1984. Rated PG. 106 minutes.

Monster House

The house is alive! At least, that’s what the kids think, but they’re gonna have a heck of a time convincing the adults, whose skepticism leads to untimely ends for many of them. Can the kids save the day? Duh. Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscemi, Catherin O’Hara, Fred Willard, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Kevin James, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder, and Kathleen Turner provide vocal histrionics. 2006. Rated PG. 91 minutes.

Frankenweenie

Tim Burton fleshes out his short film and gives new life to this animated “adaptation” of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece, about a kid named Victor Frankenstein who attempts to bring his beloved pooch back to life via a science experiment. Hilarity ensues. The vocal articulations of Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, and Christopher Lee capture the eerie perfection of this stylish tribute. 2012. Rated PG. 87 minutes.

Muppets Haunted Mansion

The newest film on the list and one of the few made for television, featuring the whole Muppet crew at their brilliant best, as their annual Halloween party becomes a blood-curdling excursion into wacky terror when Gonzo decides to spice things up by spending an entire night in Disney’s haunted mansion. Live actors Will Arnett, Taraji P. Henson, and Yvette Nicole Brown mix it up with the Muppet vocal crew. 2021. Rated PG. 52 minutes.

Toy Story of Terror

One of several short films based on the beloved animated toy series, which brings back all the originals for a road trip that takes them to a creepy roadside motel, where toys disappear unexpectedly, leading to a mystery of monstrous proportions. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Carl Weathers, Timothy Dalton, Wallace Shawn, Don Rickles, Kristen Schaal, Kate McKinnon, and Laraine Newman provide vocal calisthenics. 2013. Rated G. 22 minutes.

Little Shop of Horrors

The hit Broadway musical with a body count, adapted from a Roger Corman movie, is transformed into a spirited fright film about a nerd who befriends a homicidal singing plant, only to become its unwitting accomplice in consumptive crime. Starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Levi Stubbs, Steve Martin, Jim Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest, and Bill Murray. 1986. Rated PG-13. 94 minutes.

Labyrinth

Be careful what you wish for is the message of Jim Henson’s magical fable, in which a young girl must journey to the lair of the Goblin King to rescue her baby brother, after selfishly casting him away. Designs by fabulist Brian Froud transform Muppets into marvelous creatures of fantasy. Starring Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Brian Henson, Frank Oz, and David Bowie as the Goblin King. 1986. Rated PG. 101 minutes.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

An oldie but goodie from Disney, in which two classic tales are transformed into animated treats, the main course being Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, in which a gawky schoolmaster is bullied into believing a headless horseman will be his undoing. Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows isn’t scary, but a nice aperitif, nonetheless. Featuring the vocal pronouncements of Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone. 1949. Rated G. 68 minutes.

The Haunted Mansion

Would you spend the night in a haunted mansion? Sure, it’s been done before, but when the mansion in question is based on a Disney attraction, you know it’s going to be one heck of a ride! A modern family finds themselves trapped in a haunted house full of secrets and tongue-in-cheek humor. Starring Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Terence Stamp, and Wallace Shawn. 2003. Rated PG. 88 minutes.

Monsters Inc.

Remember when Pixar wanted us to believe that monsters were cute, cuddly, and afraid of kids? Turning the human-scaring biz on its hairy, pointed ear, two likable monsters must rescue a dreadful child when it inadvertently sneaks into their monstrous world of wonders. Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, and more lend their vocal orations. 2001. Rated G. 92 minutes.

The Monster Squad

Oh, no! Dracula and his classic crew of hench-monsters — werewolf, the mummy, and Frankenstein – are terrorizing a small town! Naturally, it’s up to an obnoxious group of potty-mouth kids with unusual skills, and a love for classic horror, to defeat them. Andre Gower, Robby Kiger, Tom Noonan, Brent Chalem, and Duncan Regehr star in this cult classic filled with plenty of ‘80s charm. 1987. Rated PG-13. 79 minutes.

Goosebumps

Reality and fiction converge when children’s author R.L. Stine’s imaginary ghoulies and ghosties are set loose on an unsuspecting town, and it’s up to the author, his high-spirited daughter, and the lunkhead boy next door to stop them. Hilarity ensues. Watch for the cameo by the real R.L. Stine! Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, and Ryan Lee star in this monstrously literary free-for-all. 2015. Rated PG. 103 minutes.

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Seriously, if you don’t know who Charles Shultz and his Peanuts gang are, you’ve been living under a rock. The callow sad-sack title character and his animated friends explore the spooky season of Halloween, including the mysterious cult figure known as the Great Pumpkin, with typically youthful charm. Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer, and Bill Melendez lead the adolescent voice cast. 1966. Unrated. 25 minutes.

Halloweentown

The first in a series of increasingly corny TV movies, the adventure begins with a bewitching promise when a young girl is informed that she, her mother, and her visiting grandmother are all witches. Of course, grandma wants to recruit the youngster to help her fight evil in the titular locale, because that’s what witchy grandmothers do, right? Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag, and others get in on the enchanting romp. 1998. Rated G. 84 minutes.

Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton once again brings his offbeat imagination to the screen, this time with a tale of a lonely Pumpkin King who wants to mix things up in Halloween Town, and does so by trying to shanghai Christmas, much to the dismay of the town’s creepy denizens. Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, and Ken Page lead the extraordinary vociferations. 1993. Rated PG. 76 minutes.

While air conditioning provides the cool air we crave in summer, keeping its use to the minimum will lower your energy bill. According to Energy.gov, cooling and heating account for more than 50% of home’s energy use.

In addition, people are often faced with high costs of air conditioner repairs in the summer due to lack of maintenance during the winter months. It is necessary to occasionally turn your AC unit on in winter to preserve its airflow and make sure the system is cooling the house properly. Since the system has likely not been turned on for months, you might experience some loss of cool air.

Following are a few tips on how to prepare your summer air conditioning:

1. Change the AC Filter

Usually, an air filter needs to be cleaned every month and must be replaced after every three months for optimum performance. The filter is the barrier between the air conditioner’s mechanism and debris, resulting in a fine layer of dirt accumulating over time.

2. Clean the Outside Unit

The outside AC unit is exposed to environmental elements and must be inspected and cleaned weekly. There are many corners that need attention such as obstructions around the grill and leaves stuck in the coils. Once you have brushed down all the debris and dirt, hose down the coil and clean the fins with a small brush.

3. Clean the Condensation Lines

Blocked condensation lines are common in central AC units. This is due to moisture depositing onto the evaporator coil. This water is transported through the condensation pipe into the drainage area.

However, when the water backs up in the pipe, it retreats back into the AC unit, which can cause expensive damages to the entire system. This can be easily avoided by taking one maintenance step: make a solution of warm water and bleach, and run it down the pipe to remove any possible obstructions.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat helps significantly with energy savings. The automatic setting allows the air conditioner to work according to the temperature inside the house. It can also be programmed to turn down when you are at work and back up again when you are home or control the system while on vacation.

A common reason that air conditioning malfunctions is due to its condenser unit installation. When this system is placed in the open and near trees, the coils and fins often get clogged with leaves and debris. If this is the case, it may be worth considering re-installing the condenser unit away from trees and on the shadiest side of the house. You will immediately feel a change in the air flow.

CaitCo has expert HVAC technicians ready to assist you in any summer preparation for your Santa Fe air conditioning unit. Call CaitCo today and start cooling off!