Don’t miss Roses & Ristras, the 21st Annual Sweetheart Auction, benefiting the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico. This signature event is the Foundation’s largest and most impactful fundraiser, raising critical support for cancer patients across Northern New Mexico.

The event takes place February 7, 2026, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, and features a spectacular silent auction with more than 400 items, a powerful Patient Services Paddle Raise, and an extraordinary live auction. Guests will enjoy an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner by Walter Burke Catering, and dancing to close the evening.

One hundred percent of the funds raised stay local, providing essential support and services for cancer patients throughout Northern New Mexico.

Purchase your Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction tickets today.

What Is the Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction?

The Sweetheart Auction is the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico’s signature annual benefit and the largest fundraising event of its kind in the state. The event raises essential funds to help cancer patients access treatment by covering travel costs, lodging, nutrition support, and other direct services. Every dollar stays local to assist individuals receiving lifesaving care.

A silent auction, live auction, open bar, dinner service, and community gathering all contribute to an evening designed to support families facing cancer throughout Northern New Mexico.

Takeaway: The Sweetheart Auction combines community generosity with high-impact fundraising for local cancer support.

Where and When Is the 2026 Sweetheart Auction?

• Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
• Time: 5 – 10 p.m.
• Location: Santa Fe Community Convention Center
• Host: Cancer Foundation for New Mexico
• Tickets: General admission tickets cost $200; individual tickets at a reserved table cost $500. Buy tickets. 

What’s New at the 2026 Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction?

The Cancer Foundation of New Mexico’s 21st Annual Sweetheart Auction introduces two major updates that improve the guest experience:

• Reserved table seating for all attendees with full dinner service.
• Dancing at the end of the evening giving guests the chance to celebrate and connect after the auctions conclude.

Takeaway: New seating and entertainment options create a more structured and enjoyable event experience.

What Are the Main Highlights of the Event?

Attendees can expect several cornerstone features that define the Sweetheart Auction:

• Spectacular Silent Auction with more than 400 items
• Extraordinary Live Auction featuring standout one-of-a-kind packages
• Patient Services Paddle Raise supporting essential cancer treatment access
• Open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and dinner
• Party for a Cause with a full evening of community connection, purpose, and celebration

Takeaway: The event blends large-scale auction offerings with mission-driven fundraising that directly impacts New Mexico families.

Why Does the Sweetheart Auction Matter for New Mexico?

The proceeds fund direct services for cancer patients living in Northern New Mexico. These services include:

• Transportation assistance
• Lodging for patients traveling long distances
• Nutritional support during treatment
• Ongoing patient-centered assistance that reduces barriers to care

With 100% of the funds staying local, the event plays a pivotal role in improving treatment access and patient outcomes.

Takeaway: Donations made at the Sweetheart Auction immediately benefit New Mexicans receiving cancer treatment.

What Are Other Ways to Support the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico?

Beyond buying tickets to the 21st Annual Sweetheart Auction, you have several options for supporting the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico’s mission to help Northern New Mexican cancer patients and their loved ones:

• Become a Sweetheart Auction sponsor by calling or emailing the organization. 
• Enter the Dream Vacation Raffle for a chance to win one of six dream vacations with $5,000 cash or a $10,000 cash prize.
• Volunteer for the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico at the Sweetheart Auction or to help cancer patients by calling (x404) or emailing the office.

Help Change Lives in Northern New Mexico

The 21st Annual Sweetheart Auction is the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico’s biggest event of the year, a fundraiser promising an evening of celebration and generosity that authentically impacts local cancer patients. 

Reserve your table, plan your bid strategy, and join Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico in showing up when it matters most. Your participation directly impacts transportation, lodging, nutrition support, and essential services for families navigating cancer treatment in the region.

Expect a night filled with dinner, dancing, exceptional auction items, and a chance to get involved in your community. Every ticket purchased, item donated, bid placed, or paddle raised moves the mission forward and stays local. 

Buy Roses & Ristra Sweetheart Auction Tickets now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction and what does it support in New Mexico?

The Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction is the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico’s largest annual benefit event. It raises money for direct services that help cancer patients access treatment in Northern New Mexico, including travel support, lodging, nutrition assistance, and other essential help. All funds raised remain local and support patients in active treatment.

The Sweetheart Auction combines a silent auction, live auction, paddle raise, dinner, and community gathering designed to directly support individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The foundation reports that patient travel assistance is one of the largest needs in Northern New Mexico because many patients must drive long distances to reach oncology appointments. Lodging is another essential, especially for multiday treatments, radiation therapy cycles, or early-morning procedures. 

The event also funds nutrition assistance, which helps patients manage treatment side effects while reducing financial strain. Because 100% of patient-service funds stay in Northern New Mexico, the Sweetheart Auction plays a direct role in improving access to lifesaving care. The 2025 event raised significant support, and the 2026 event aims to expand resources even further to meet growing patient needs across rural communities.

How much do tickets cost for the 2026 Roses & Ristras Sweetheart Auction?

Tickets for the 2026 Sweetheart Auction cost $200 for general admission and $500 for an individual seat at a reserved table. All tickets include dinner, access to the silent and live auctions, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing. Reserved seating is new for 2026 and is included with all ticket types.

The Cancer Foundation for New Mexico updated its seating model to ensure a smoother guest experience and a more structured evening. Reserved seating helps guests plan their night, reduces crowding, and ensures that everyone has a designated dinner seat during the live auction and paddle raise. The $500 ticket provides a reserved table seat and typically appeals to attendees who want an elevated experience or prefer guaranteed proximity to auction action. 

Both ticket types include a full meal catered by Walter Burke Catering, which is known for producing high-capacity, high-quality event meals in Santa Fe. Because ticket revenue helps offset event costs, the foundation encourages early purchases. This allows organizers to finalize seating charts, catering numbers, and guest services long before February 7, 2026.

What can attendees expect at the 2026 Sweetheart Auction?

Attendees can expect a silent auction with more than 400 items, a live auction, a paddle raise, dinner, an open bar, and dancing. The event blends fundraising with a full evening program that supports local cancer services. New upgrades for 2026 include reserved seating and post-auction dancing to create a more social experience.

The silent auction typically features artwork, regional experiences, dining packages, jewelry, travel opportunities, and locally donated items from across Northern New Mexico. The live auction includes larger, one-of-a-kind offerings, and bidding is guided by a professional auctioneer. The paddle raise is the mission-focused segment where guests donate directly to essential patient services such as transportation, lodging, and nutrition assistance. 

Dinner is provided by Walter Burke Catering, a longtime caterer for high-capacity Santa Fe events. The evening concludes with dancing, an addition meant to give attendees more time to celebrate and engage with the community. Because it is the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, guests can expect a well-coordinated program designed to both inspire generosity and honor the patients the foundation serves.

Where is the Sweetheart Auction held and what should guests know about logistics?

The Sweetheart Auction takes place at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, located in downtown Santa Fe. The venue includes complimentary parking for attendees, walkable access to Santa Fe Plaza, and ample space for dinner service, silent auction displays, and the live auction program. Doors typically open ahead of the silent auction.

The Convention Center is one of the largest event venues in Santa Fe and is equipped to handle seated dinners, multi-room silent auction layouts, and staging for a live auction and paddle raise. Guests usually enter through the main lobby, where event staff and volunteers assist with check-in, bid numbers, and seating details. The Convention Center provides access to municipal parking lots within a short walk, and additional garages and street parking are available throughout downtown. The central location allows attendees to arrive easily from any direction within Santa Fe. The foundation typically shares event-day logistics in advance, including door times, parking reminders, and check-in instructions. Guests should plan to arrive early enough to browse the silent auction before dinner service begins and the live program starts.

What other ways can supporters contribute if they cannot attend the auction?

Supporters can donate directly, sponsor the event, or enter the Dream Vacation Raffle. These options help fund patient services even for those who cannot attend. All contributions stay in Northern New Mexico and support transportation, lodging, nutrition, and other treatment-related needs.

The Dream Vacation Raffle is one of the most accessible ways to participate from anywhere. It offers the chance to win one of six curated vacation packages plus $5,000 cash or a separate $10,000 cash option. Sponsorships are another high-impact option because they help reduce event costs, which increases the portion of funds directed to patient services. Direct donations can be made year-round and can be targeted toward specific needs such as transportation or lodging support. 

Volunteers are also essential, both at the auction and throughout the year. Many supporters choose to help patients directly by assisting with transportation, appointment coordination, or general support tasks at the foundation’s office. Each contribution, regardless of size or type, directly improves access to cancer care in Northern New Mexico.

This article was posted by Jesse Williams