Explore the creativity of emerging artists at the ENMU Student Art Show from May 2- 9, 2025, at 709 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso. Opening night is Friday, May 2, from 4:00–7:00 PM, featuring a variety of student artwork in diverse styles and mediums. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Free admission. Discover fresh talent and artistic inspiration in the heart of Ruidoso!

Fort Stanton Historic Site hosts Park Day on May 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., inviting volunteers to help clean and maintain trails across this historic site. In celebration of its 170th anniversary, the event honors Fort Stanton’s multifaceted past as a military post, hospital, and WWII internment center. Volunteers should bring water and wear sun-safe clothing and sturdy shoes. Learn More »

Join the Lincoln Lecture Series on May 3, 2025, with resident Johnny Boswell as he explores life on “The Most Dangerous Street in America.” Held monthly at San Juan Bautista Church. Included with $7/adult admission; free for kids 16 & under, Native/Tribal affiliates, NM disabled vets, NM foster families & MNMF members.

Treat mom to a tea-rific day at Artful Tea Time with a Brush of Elegance! Paint a masterpiece with Bridge to Art while enjoying teas, sweets, and savory bites. The elegant menu features finger sandwiches, scones, macarons, petit fours & more. Tickets are $40—join this deliciously creative par-tea! BUY TICKETS »

Join Downshift Brewing Company Riverside for an evening of art and craft beer on May 11, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.! Led by Bridge to Art, a local studio and gallery, each $40 ticket includes a painting class with supplies and a complimentary drink. Tickets are limited, so secure yours quickly at Eventbrite >>.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the medieval era right in the heart of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Featuring talented jesters, minstrels, and troubadours, a bustling marketplace with medieval wares, delicious Renaissance fare, and enchanting children's activities. Encounter mystical characters, fortune tellers, and more surprises throughout the weekend. Don your finest medieval attire and join event host Oso Productions for a day of history, fantasy, and fun at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire. Tickets are available online or at the gate with special discounts for children and seniors.

Celebrate Native American heritage at the free Ruidoso Mescalero Apache Honor Day Festival, Saturday, May 31, 10 AM–7 PM at Country Club Park in Midtown. Enjoy live music, cultural presentations, artisan booths, storytelling, and delicious Native cuisine. Highlights include Levi Platero, Lee Pike War Dance Group, and artists from across the Southwest!

Join Downshift Brewing Company Riverside for an evening of art and craft beer on June 8, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.! Led by Bridge to Art, a local studio and gallery, each $40 ticket includes a painting class with supplies and a complimentary drink. Tickets are limited, so secure yours quickly at Eventbrite >>.

Join Tattoo artists from all over the country for three days filled with tattoos, live performances, contests, and more. Get tattooed by amazing artists nationwide, browse vendor booths for unique items, and enjoy watching art in action. Learn more at ruidosotattooexpo.com

Experience the fiery magic of Benise live at Spencer Theater on Sat, Aug 2 at 8 PM! Celebrate 25 years of Spanish guitar and breathtaking dance in a show that fuses world music and spectacular choreography. Tickets $76–$79. Add dinner: beef fajita buffet ($25) or double cut pork chop in the Founders Room ($55) at 6 PM. A night of passion, rhythm, and unforgettable performance! Buy Tickets »

Exciting News! The Ruidoso Midtown Association is bringing back Brewdoso on August 9 at Wingfield Park! Mark your calendars for craft brews, live music, and a fantastic time in the mountains! Mark Your Calendar: Ticket Sales Go Live May 1 at Brewdoso.com!

Join the ultimate pop culture celebration at R2-Doso Comic Con 2025! Experience an immersive world of comics, gaming, and nostalgia at the Ruidoso Convention Center on October 18-19, 2025. Compete in thrilling video game tournaments, showcase your creativity in the cosplay extravaganza, and explore fan-favorite themes. Don’t miss this epic weekend of adventure and fandom!

Enjoy afternoon live music at Win Place & Show Bar in Ruidoso, where talented local and regional musicians set the vibe on the outdoor patio. Relax with a drink and soak in the fresh mountain air. Gather your friends and enjoy an afternoon of great tunes and good company!

Join Downshift Brewing Company for a night of live music featuring local Ruidoso musicians! Tyler Jones's high-energy mix of mountain country, punk, blues, and Irish music, combined with Moksi's blend of soul, folk, blues, and jazz, creates a unique musical experience!

Win Place & Show Bar in Ruidoso, NM, welcomes Jerry Hart & Flatland for live music on May 2/3 from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Enjoy an evening of great tunes and a lively atmosphere in the heart of town.

Join the All-American Comeback BBQ at Ruidoso Downs Race Track Event Center on May 3, 2025, for a full day of BBQ, bourbon, and live music! Featuring 30 KCBS BBQ teams competing for $25,000, performances by Brian Mars, Erick Willis, and Pat Green, bourbon tastings, shopping, and a Kentucky Derby viewing, this is a can’t-miss event! Tickets: $34.05 - $134.44. Pat Green live at 7 PM! BUY TICKETS »

Catch singer-songwriter Kevin Gruen live at Downshift Brewing Company – Hidden Tap in Ruidoso on May 3, 2025, from 6–9 PM. Known for his one-man-band shows and genre-blending style of funk, soul, rock, blues, and country, Gruen delivers high-energy performances that captivate. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music, craft beer, and good vibes!

Celebrate 3 de Mayo at The Patina Lounge with DJ CORI spinning the best Cumbia and Norteño hits all night long! Enjoy classic jams, fresh tracks, nonstop dancing, drink specials, great food, and unbeatable fiesta vibes. Bring your crew and boots—let’s party! Get tickets »

Banjo Legends at the Flying J Ranch on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, features world-renowned banjo players Ned Luberecki, Riley Baugus, Alan Munde, and Bill Evans. Joined by New Mexico musicians Steve Smith, Anne Luna, and Elliott Rogers, this one-time concert promises unmatched five-string virtuosity. Ticket includes Chuckwagon Supper, Stage Show, and access to the ranch. Buy tickets>>

Enjoy a relaxing Sunday evening with singer-songwriter duo Burt Ferguson and Tim Thompson, live at Downshift Brewing Company – Riverside in Ruidoso on May 4, 2025, from 6–9 PM. Hailing from Truth or Consequences, NM, their acoustic set blends warm harmonies and heartfelt songwriting. Great music, good beer, and riverside vibes await!

Enjoy a journey through the history of Doo Wop with The Doo Wop Project on Friday, May 9, at 7 pm at the Spencer Theater. Relive the classic sounds of Frankie Valli, The Drifters, and more, with harmonies from the street corner to modern hits. Enjoy a green chile chicken enchiladas buffet or a Founders Room dinner featuring redfish romesco at 5 pm. Buy Tickets >>

Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just looking for a fun night out, Win, Place and Show bar promises an unforgettable experience. So grab your cowboy boots and enjoy a night of country music and dancing. Please note that this event is exclusively for those aged 21 and older.

Don't miss Jennings and Keller in our Summer Music Series. Experience an evening of soulful melodies that blend modern flair with classic vibes. This family-friendly concert is free. Bring your chairs and a picnic to enjoy a musical sunset. No tickets are required.Location: Stage behind the Ruidoso Library

Don't miss The Rockabilly Strangers at Downshift Brewing's Riverside on May 16, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM! This Detroit-born, New Mexico-based trio blends 50's rockabilly, roots rock, surf, and honky tonk into an electrifying show. With 3 CDs and countless gigs across the Southwest, they're a must-see act. Get ready to twist and shout with the hottest rockabilly band around!

Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just looking for a fun night out, Win, Place and Show bar promises an unforgettable experience. So grab your cowboy boots and enjoy a night of country music and dancing. Please note that this event is exclusively for those aged 21 and older.

Southern California’s renegade folk metal pirates, The Dread Crew of Oddwood, bring their Heavy Mahogany to Jacks Backstage on May 16, 2025, 8-10 pm. Known for their explosive energy and acoustic twist on heavy metal, they deliver tales of sieges, debauchery, and pirate misadventures. With four albums and viral videos like “Sulfur,” this high-energy performance is not to be missed! Grab your tickets now!

Win Place & Show Bar in Ruidoso, NM, welcomes Caleb Wilbourn for live music on May 22/23 from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Enjoy an evening of great tunes and a lively atmosphere in the heart of town.

Gary Allan brings a distinctly southern soul to his country hits. Since his 1996 debut, the songwriter has charted hit after hit in his multi-platinum career and reached listeners across the globe. Now, he’s bringing your favorite songs like “Her Man,” “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Right Where I Need to Be” to the stage at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Better get your tickets!

Win Place & Show Bar in Ruidoso, NM, welcomes Apache Spirit for two nights of live music on May 23/24 from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Enjoy an evening of great tunes and a lively atmosphere in the heart of town.

Join Tif & Mollie for a genre-bending night of live music at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside on May 24, 2025, from 6-9 PM. This dynamic duo blends looping, cello, and multi-instrumental grooves, delivering original songs and fresh takes on select covers. With their high-energy performance and engaging storytelling, they’ll have you dancing all night. Free admission, all ages welcome!

Ruidoso's hometown favorite band, Doso Dirtbag's high-energy show comprises a killer mix of mountain country/punk/blues and Irish music. Don’t miss this May 24, 2025, performance at Downshift Brewing Company’s Hidden Tap.

Experience Everclear like never before at Jacks Backstage! Secure your Meet & Greet Package on 2/13 for VIP early entry, premium seating, an exclusive pre-show acoustic set, autographs, a tour shirt, and more. This unforgettable night includes a personal photo with the band and priority access to Everclear merch. Don’t miss out—tickets are limited!

Catch Slim Bawb & The Fabulous Stumpgrinders live at Downshift Brewing Company – Riverside in Ruidoso, NM, on May 30, 2025, from 6–9 PM. Known for their high-energy “swamp” music, this Texas-based trio blends banjo, accordion, blues, and Southern soul into a one-of-a-kind sound perfect for a lively mountain evening.

Celebrate Native American heritage at the free Ruidoso Mescalero Apache Honor Day Festival, Saturday, May 31, 10 AM–7 PM at Country Club Park in Midtown. Enjoy live music, cultural presentations, artisan booths, storytelling, and delicious Native cuisine. Highlights include Levi Platero, Lee Pike War Dance Group, and artists from across the Southwest!

Catch Mineral Hill live at Downshift Brewing Co. - Hidden Tap in Ruidoso on May 31, 2025, from 6–9 PM! Formed in 2017, this Albuquerque band brings a wild blend of Human Country Funk and feral Americana. Join the fun at 2408 B Sudderth Dr. Fans say they’re “surprisingly tolerable” — you’ll have to see for yourself!

Join Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside on June 4, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for a night of live music with Matthew McDaniel and Tyler Jones. Tyler Jones starts at 6:00 PM, followed by Matthew McDaniel at 7:00 PM. Matthew, a seasoned musician with a unique one-man band style, brings suitcase drums, guitar, harmonica, and soulful lyrics. Don’t miss this engaging performance and a night of great music and brews!

Don't miss MacKenzie in our Summer Music Series. Experience an evening of soulful melodies that blend modern flair with classic vibes. This family-friendly concert is free. Bring your chairs and a picnic to enjoy a musical sunset. No tickets are required.Location: Stage behind the Ruidoso Library

Don’t miss Tif & Mollie live at Downshift Brewing Co. - Riverside in Ruidoso on June 5, 2025, from 6–9 PM! This dynamic female duo blends genres from Bach to badass originals with live looping, cello, and multi-instrument grooves. Expect dancing, storytelling, and a truly unique musical ride!

Catch singer/songwriter Benny Bassett live at Downshift Brewing Co. – Hidden Tap on June 6, 2025, from 6–9 PM! Known for his heartfelt “real life music,” Benny brings original songs and road stories from 46 states and 7 countries. With a warm voice and a gift for storytelling, this is one intimate, unforgettable performance you won’t want to miss!

Chris Baker is back at Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap on June 7, 2025, from 6-9 PM. This Las Cruces native is a singer-songwriter of the best variety. With covers and originals enhanced by his signature loops, his shows are always a can't miss!

VOYAGER, the ultimate Journey tribute band, rocks the stage at Spencer Theater Sat, June 7 at 8 PM! Hear spot-on renditions of hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Any Way You Want It.” $66–$69. Dine before the show: enchiladas buffet ($25) or halibut dinner ($55) at 6 PM. Buy Tickets »

Catch Dunn & Brooks at Spencer Theater on Sat, June 14 at 8 PM! This tribute to Brooks & Dunn brings high-energy performances of ’90s country hits like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” & “My Maria.” $39–$49. Add dinner: brisket buffet ($25) or NY Strip in the Founders Room ($55) at 6 PM. Buy Tickets »