Attractions & Entertainment
 

With so many entertainment attractions and events—from musical performances and cultural festivals to fun for the whole family—there's never a dull moment in Ruidoso.

 
 

Discover Top Ruidoso Attractions

Featured
Winter Sleigh Rides in Ruidoso (Seasonal, Thanksgiving to December)
Winter Sleigh Rides in Ruidoso (Seasonal, Thanksgiving to December)

During the winter holiday season, there are sleigh rides through the historic upper canyon with Grindstone Stables. No snow is required to enjoy a crisp winter evening and the holiday decorations of Ruidoso's oldest neighborhood.

See what Ruidoso looks like in real-time
See what Ruidoso looks like in real-time

What's the weather like in Ruidoso? Check out the official Village of Ruidoso Tourism Webcams from strategic points overlooking Midtown and Grindstone Lake. View Ruidoso’s daily weather forecast and learn when is the best time to visit.

Free Things To Do This Winter In Ruidoso
Free Things To Do This Winter In Ruidoso

Snuggle in front of a fire. Build a snowman. Take a walk in the forest. Stargaze. Ruidoso embraces winter weather with plenty of no-cost activities to keep your vacation on budget. 

On Tap: Ruidoso Brewpubs & Wine Bars
On Tap: Ruidoso Brewpubs & Wine Bars

Quench your thirst for New Mexico craft beers and wines at these local hangouts

Why A Ruidoso Mountain Escape Should Be Your Next Vacation
Why A Ruidoso Mountain Escape Should Be Your Next Vacation

From dazzling night skies to snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, here are five reasons to make a Ruidoso mountain vacation your next adventure.


Six reasons to put Ruidoso in your summer 2023 travel plans
Six reasons to put Ruidoso in your summer 2023 travel plans

Even with rising travel costs, people are raring to go and eager to splurge on dining out, mementos, nicer accommodations, and longer stays. Chances are you’re feeling it too. We’ve got you covered. Here are six reasons to put Ruidoso in your 2023 summer travel plans.

Eat. Drink. Play. Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center.
Eat. Drink. Play. Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center.

With 10 bowling lanes, 4 pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, a restaurant, and a lounge for parties and events, the Ruidoso Bowling Center is a fun, year-round, family-friendly entertainment destination where everybody gets to play.

Ruidoso Winter Park: A Winter Family Favorite
Ruidoso Winter Park: A Winter Family Favorite

Go tubing at Ruidoso Winter Park. There are lanes for racing your friends and a Magic Carpet conveyor belt for an uphill ride. Adrenaline junkies can descend individually, in tandem — or for the fastest and longest ride, in group clusters in a giant tube. After your chilly thrill, retreat to a warming VIP Igloo to cozy up in with a hot drink and a snack.

Ruidoso Winter Activities Beyond the Ski Slopes
Ruidoso Winter Activities Beyond the Ski Slopes

What to do on a Ruidoso ski vacation if you don’t ski or snowboard? Just off the ski slopes, there are galleries, restaurants, and easy access to multi-use trail systems. 

Grindstone Lake: All You Need To Know
Grindstone Lake: All You Need To Know

Discover everything you need to know about Grindstone Lake, one of Ruidoso's most popular recreation areas located just minutes from downtown Ruidoso.

Join the Zero Waste Trend: 10 favorite places to second-hand shop in Ruidoso.
Join the Zero Waste Trend: 10 favorite places to second-hand shop in Ruidoso.

Buying used goods is cooler than ever, and Ruidoso retailers are right on-trend. Discover all manner of recycled and repurposed goods at these Ruidoso vintage shops and pre-owned retailers.

An Insider’s Guide to Midtown Ruidoso
An Insider’s Guide to Midtown Ruidoso

Nestled in Ruidoso’s downtown, Midtown is the village hub for dining, arts, and shopping. Stroll through Midtown and enjoy a great selection of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, wineries, brewpubs, and live music.

Top Winter Experiences in Ruidoso
Top Winter Experiences in Ruidoso

From downhill excitement at Ski Apache and the tubing runs of Winter Park Recreational Area to horse-drawn sleigh rides through Upper Canyon, here are some of our most popular winter activities.

Discover Ruidoso's Public Art Murals
Discover Ruidoso's Public Art Murals

Midtown is more colorful than ever. Grab a selfie in front of Ruidoso’s Instagrammable public murals brought to you by local artists and the Ruidoso Midtown Association.

Ruidoso for Adrenaline Junkies
Ruidoso for Adrenaline Junkies

Looking for thrills and spills on your Ruidoso adventure? Let loose on one of these action-packed activities.

Go off-road and explore with Backcountry Attitudes on an OHV adventure tour.
Go off-road and explore with Backcountry Attitudes on an OHV adventure tour.

Ruidoso’s first off-road adventure specialist, Backcountry Attitudes, provides 4×4 off-roading adventures through scenic wilderness and mountain terrain for a unique backcountry adventure.

RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride in Ruidoso
RUIDOSO TRAILS: Where To Hike, Bike, and Horseback Ride in Ruidoso

Climb Sierra Blanca, hike through alpine meadows, alongside the Rio Ruidoso, explore a forest on horseback? You decide! Thanks to over a million acres of National Forest and wilderness areas, virtually every corner of Ruidoso is waiting to be discovered. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails are plentiful.

Day Trips from Ruidoso: Discover nearby towns and attractions
Day Trips from Ruidoso: Discover nearby towns and attractions

To get a quick taste of the diverse landscapes that surround our mountain oasis, start with these day trips from Ruidoso.

Scenic Gondola Rides at Ski Apache
Scenic Gondola Rides at Ski Apache

Witness panoramic vistas from the top of Ski Apache. Look for wildlife and enjoy the cool temperatures of Sierra Blanca Peak. For extra fun, rent a mountain bike at Ski Apache, take it up the mountain on the gondola, and ride down.

Discover Upcoming Ruidoso Events and Entertainment

Featured
BJ Ramirez Live at Downshift Brewing Company - Hidden Tap
Dec 20
BJ Ramirez Live at Downshift Brewing Company - Hidden Tap

Join the fun for an exciting evening at Downshift Brewing Company's Hidden Tap on Friday, Dec. 20th, starting at 6 PM. Experience the incredible talent of Las Cruces native singer-songwriter BJ Ramirez as he performs live. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great music and a vibrant atmosphere in Ruidoso. Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this fantastic event!

Oso Productions Presents: Clue: On Stage at ENMU-Ruidoso
Dec 20
Oso Productions Presents: Clue: On Stage at ENMU-Ruidoso

Get ready for laughter and mystery with Clue: On Stage! Based on the 1985 film and classic Hasbro game, this hilarious whodunit follows six guests, a butler, and a mansion full of secrets. Who did it, where, and with what? Performances: Dec. 20-22 at ENMU Ruidoso. Tickets: Adults $20, Students $15, Kids under 5 free. Buy now: osoproductionsruidoso.com/2024tickets.

Annual Craft Fair at Mescalero Community Center
Dec 21
Annual Craft Fair at Mescalero Community Center

Save the date, Dec. 21-22, 2024. 2 days of last-minute Christmas shopping with a Variety of Beautiful Arts & Crafts. Bake goods, Bingo, Local Jewelry, Vendors from all over the state.

Festivus at Jack’s BackStage
Dec 21
Festivus at Jack’s BackStage

Celebrate Festivus at Jack’s BackStage on December 21, 2024! Enjoy Christmas Karaoke, s’mores, drink specials, and fun contests like the Ugly Sweater, Ugly Dog Sweater, and Eddie Look-Alike competitions. Join the Airing of Grievances and embrace the holiday spirit with music, laughs, and activities for all ages. Don’t miss out on this festive celebration!

Holiday Magic at Hurd La Rinconada Gallery
Dec 21
Holiday Magic at Hurd La Rinconada Gallery

Experience the warmth of the season with an afternoon of festive holiday music performed by Michale Francis on the piano. Sip on complimentary hot cider and enjoy cookies, with wine and small bites available for purchase. Gather with friends and family to celebrate the holiday spirit. All are welcome! For more information, call 575-653-4331.

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

Clark Andrew Libbey and Tom Andes LIVE at Bonito Valley Brewing Company
Dec 21
Clark Andrew Libbey and Tom Andes LIVE at Bonito Valley Brewing Company

Celebrate the season with great tunes and good cheer! Head to Historic Lincoln, NM, for an afternoon of live music! From 3-6 PM at Bonito Valley Brewing Company, enjoy a blend of original Americana, Cajun, Louisiana blues, and festive Christmas songs performed by Clark Andrew Libbey and Tom Andes of The High Desert Playboys.

A Very Dirt Bag Christmas at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
Dec 21
A Very Dirt Bag Christmas at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside

Join Downshift Brewing Company's Riverside location on December 21st at 6 PM for a one-night-only Christmas special with Ruidoso locals, Doso Dirtbags. This high-energy show is one you won't want to miss!

Jon Pardi: The Christmas Show at Inn of the Mountain Gods
Dec 21
Jon Pardi: The Christmas Show at Inn of the Mountain Gods

Get into the spirit of the season with Jon Pardi! Jon Pardi has made a name for himself for getting back to country music’s roots, applying new ideas to old sounds. Buy Tickets >>

Matthew Palmer LIVE at Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
Dec 22
Matthew Palmer LIVE at Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap

Roswell's own uber-talented Matt Palmer will be live at Downshift Brewing Company's Hidden Tap on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Get ready for Matt to rock the house (literally). This guy's voice and guitar skills are incredible.

 
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