Taos Events and Cultural Calendar
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Taos Events and Cultural Calendar
Feast days, fiestas, powwows, music, markets, and ski events. The Taos calendar runs all year and is shaped by Pueblo ceremony, Catholic tradition, and the outdoor seasons. What to know before you plan around any of it.
Always verify dates before traveling for a specific event. Pueblo feast days and ceremonies follow a calendar that is not always published far in advance. Fiestas and community events can shift dates year to year. Confirm directly with organizers or with taospueblo.com/events and taos.org.
Taos Pueblo Events
The Pueblo's ceremonial calendar governs some of the most significant events in Taos. Public access to Pueblo ceremonies and feast days is a privilege, not a right, and the Pueblo sets its own terms for each event. Dates, access rules, and photography policies are determined by the Pueblo and can change year to year.
| Event | Approximate Time | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Taos Pueblo Powwow | July (dates vary) | Intertribal dance competition, drum groups, artisan vendors, and food. One of the major public events at the Pueblo. Confirm current-year dates before planning. Photography rules apply. |
| San Geronimo Feast Day | September 29-30 | The Pueblo's patron saint day. Footraces, a trade market, sacred clown ceremonies, and the pole climb on September 30. No cameras, phones, or recording devices of any kind. One of the most significant public events in the Pueblo calendar. |
| Christmas Dances | December 24-25 | Christmas Eve: bonfires, procession of the Virgin, chanting. Christmas Day: Deer Dance or Matachines dance depending on the year. No photography or recording. Confirm access with the Pueblo before attending. |
| Various Feast Days | Throughout the year | The Pueblo observes feast days for various saints and ceremonial occasions throughout the year. Some are open to visitors, some are not. Check taospueblo.com for current information. |
Annual Community Events
| Event | Approximate Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Taos Ski Valley Opening | Late November / Early December | Taos Ski Valley typically opens for the ski season around Thanksgiving. Exact date depends on snowfall and snowmaking conditions. Check skitaos.com. |
| Fiestas de Taos | Late July | Town celebration honoring the patron saints Santiago and Santa Ana. Parade, music, food vendors, and community events around Taos Plaza over several days. |
| Taos Solar Music Festival | Late June (varies) | Music festival at Kit Carson Park powered by solar energy. National and regional acts. Family-friendly outdoor event. |
| Taos Mountain Film Festival | October (varies) | Documentary and environmental film festival. Screenings at the Taos Center for the Arts and other venues. |
| Wool Festival | October (varies) | Celebration of the regional weaving and fiber arts tradition. Demonstrations, vendors, and shearing events at Kit Carson Park. |
| Las Posadas | December 16-24 | Nine nights of community processions reenacting Mary and Joseph seeking shelter. Farolitos, food, music, and gathering. Most active around the Plaza and Ranchos de Taos. |
| Farolito Walk | Christmas Eve | Taos Plaza and surrounding streets are lit with farolitos on Christmas Eve. One of the best nights of the year in Taos for atmosphere. |
Seasonal Calendar Overview
| Season | What's Active |
|---|---|
| Winter (Dec-Mar) | Ski season at Taos Ski Valley. Christmas dances at Taos Pueblo. Farolito walk on Christmas Eve. Las Posadas in December. Quieter town through January and February. |
| Spring (Apr-May) | Shoulder season. Taos Pueblo closed approximately 8 weeks for ceremonial observance. Variable weather. Mud season on dirt roads. Quietest visitor period. |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Peak outdoor season. Taos Solar Music Festival in June. Taos Pueblo Powwow in July. Fiestas de Taos in late July. Gallery season. Afternoon lightning storms common. Book lodging ahead for summer weekends. |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | San Geronimo Feast Day September 30. Aspen color typically peaks mid-October on the Enchanted Circle. Wool Festival. Mountain Film Festival. Strong conditions for scenic drives and hiking before winter closes high trails. |
Attendance Rules for Pueblo Events
Taos Pueblo events that are open to visitors operate under specific rules that must be followed. The most important rules, which apply to essentially all Pueblo ceremonial events:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| No photography | No cameras, phones used as cameras, video cameras, or audio recording devices during ceremonies. This is not a suggestion. Violating it is a serious breach of respect and can result in removal from the Pueblo. |
| No sketching or painting | Artists may not sketch, paint, or otherwise record the event visually without explicit prior permission. |
| Respectful behavior | These are religious and ceremonial events. Dress modestly. Stay where you are directed. Do not cross marked boundaries or enter restricted areas. |
| No alcohol | Taos Pueblo is a dry community. No alcohol on Pueblo land at any time. |
| Confirm before going | Events can be postponed or access restricted on short notice. Always call 575-758-1028 or check taospueblo.com before making a special trip. |
Music and Arts Venues
Live music and arts programming runs year-round in Taos outside the festival calendar. The most consistent venues:
| Venue | What happens there |
|---|---|
| Adobe Bar, Historic Taos Inn | 125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Live music most nights, no cover. Strong margaritas. Interior unchanged for decades. The most reliably active music venue in town. |
| Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership | 20 ABC Mesa Road, El Prado. Large outdoor-indoor venue near the airport. Regular live acts, house-brewed beer, wood-fired pizza. The main venue for touring acts and larger shows. |
| Taos Center for the Arts | 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Films, theater, concerts, and visual art exhibitions. Check taosnm.org for current programming. |
| KTAOS Solar Center | 9 State Road 150, El Prado. Solar-powered event venue. Live music and community events in summer. |
| Sagebrush Inn | 1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Regular live music in the bar and lounge. Long history as a music gathering spot. |
Sources: Taos Pueblo events calendar, Taos.org events listings. Event dates and access policies change yearly. Verify all information before traveling.