Where To See Holiday Lights In Ruidoso

As winter kicks off in Ruidoso, the village fills with holiday lights after dark: from the holiday displays in Midtown and Upper Canyon to the festive glow at Wingfield Park from the Festival of Lights Parade and After Party.

Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by Ruidoso area residents. Download the Ruidoso mobile app for iOS and Android today and help choose the winners of the Best Ruidoso Holiday Lights Displays challenge. Don't miss the fun!

 
 

Take a drive through the twinkling Upper Canyon right before your dinner reservation, after you've seen a show at Spencer Theater while having a warm late-night drink, or after you've perused the Ruidoso galleries and shops. Meanwhile, just outside of town, the towering lobby Christmas tree at the Inn Of The Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is an annual selfie favorite. 

Don’t miss these upcoming holiday events:

 
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Opening Weekend: Christmas at the Flying J Ranch (Seasonal, Select Dates Only)
Nov 29
Opening Weekend: Christmas at the Flying J Ranch (Seasonal, Select Dates Only)

Celebrate Christmas at the Flying J Ranch with special White Mountain Christmas winter performances from late November thru the end of December 2022! BOOK NOW for the following performance dates:

Country Christmas Bazaar at Capitan Municipal Schools (Traylor Gym)
Nov 30
Country Christmas Bazaar at Capitan Municipal Schools (Traylor Gym)

Shop local and spend less at this annual holiday event featuring the work of talented local artisans and vendors.

Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods
Dec 1
Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season at Inn of the Mountain Gods with a free family event. Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, and a Barnes & Noble® pop-up gift shop. Capture memories with Santa from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, then listen to the Eastern New Mexico University™ choir's carol performance at 6:15 pm. The event concludes with a festive Christmas tree lighting at 7:00 pm. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Christmas In The Park
Dec 5
Christmas In The Park

Kick off the Christmas season while viewing the beautiful Christmas lights put up by the Parks and Recreation Department at Wingfield Park on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM. There will be pictures with Santa, cookies, Christmas carols, and much more.

Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas at Spencer Theater
Dec 7
Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas at Spencer Theater

Join Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas on Saturday, December 7, at 2 pm for a festive blend of music, featuring songs from his best-selling Christmas albums and popular country and pop hits. Enjoy the spirit of the season with a public buffet at noon, featuring roasted pork loin. Celebrate three decades of music that captures the rustic essence of Jesus' birth. Buy Tickets >>

2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
Dec 8
2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside

Join Downshift Brewing Company for the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 8th at 4 PM! Enjoy live music by the ENMU choir, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, cookie decorating, drink specials, and more. This free, family-friendly event at Riverside is open to the public—don’t miss a festive evening for all ages!

Holiday Market at Enchanted Vine Barn
Dec 14
Holiday Market at Enchanted Vine Barn

Celebrate the season at the Holiday Market on December 14-15, 2024, from 11 AM to 5 PM at Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery in Alto, NM. Enjoy live music and festive treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate, and shop for unique gifts from local vendors. Don’t miss Santa, available for photos from 12-4 PM. It’s the perfect place to find special holiday treasures. 

Fort Stanton Christmas Opera in the Chapel
Dec 14
Fort Stanton Christmas Opera in the Chapel

Experience the magic of the holidays at Fort Stanton Historic Site on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with a captivating opera performance by Karla Ramos, an acclaimed soprano with international accolades. Set in the historic stone chapel, enjoy holiday classics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $10/adults, free for kids 16 and under, including site access. Reserve at my.nmculture.org/33869/41939.

Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex
Dec 14
Christmas Drone Show and Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Recreation Complex

Don’t miss the annual Ruidoso Parks & Recreation Christmas Drone Show and a Drive-In Movie at White Mountain Sports Complex on December 14, 2024. Come at 6:00 for a Drive-In showing of "Fred Clause” followed by a spectacular holiday Drone light show. This is a FREE public event. See you there!

The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater
Dec 21
The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater

STARRING THE RUIDOSO ACADEMY OF BALLET AND DANCE. A cast of 70 outstanding dancers will transform Tchaikovsky's world-famous musical score into a brilliant visual dreamscape with spectacular sets & costumes that bring battling mice, toy soldiers & dazzling Snowflake Fairies to life! This opulent coming-of-age journey is a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family! BUY TICKETS Saturday, December 21 at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sunday, December, 22 at 2 pm. • $39

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