Experience Fall's Magic in Santa Fe: Oktoberfest, Film Festival, Art & Halloween
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Autumn in New Mexico comes alive with golden aspens, crisp days and cool nights, and a vibrant lineup of events for all tastes. Dive into a world-class independent film festival, explore a groundbreaking art exhibit by a MacArthur “genius” grant recipient, or encounter the ghosts of New Mexico's past at a chilling Halloween festival on historic grounds. No matter how you embrace fall in Santa Fe, its seasonal beauty will enchant you.
Germany meets New Mexico at Santa Fe Brewing Company's Oktoberfest. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
Kick off the season with a toast to New Mexico's Oktoberfest ale, a classic German lager from Santa Fe Brewing Company. Bursting with Munich malt and Bavarian hops, this ruby-hued brew shines at the brewery's Tasting Room in Santa Fe and Eldorado tap house—favorites among locals and visitors. Lederhosen optional, but expect to belt out German drinking songs and cheers of “Prost!”
Sample the lager at Santa Fe Brewing Company's tasting room and tap house. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
“Hairspray” director John Waters signs autographs at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival in 2015. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
October also spotlights the renowned Santa Fe Independent Film Festival (October 18-22, 2017), honoring filmmakers John Waters, John Sayles, and Maggie Renzi. This five-day event advances innovative indie cinema with over 100 screenings, panels, and parties across the city, featuring new films, Native cinema, local productions, and student works. From a 2009 fringe event to New Mexico's top festivals drawing 10,000 attendees, it's hailed by IndieWire as “a young Sundance” and by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest General Film Festivals” and “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” for four years.
Tom Joyce’s contemporary sculptures repurpose industrial byproducts. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
At the Center for Contemporary Arts, “Tom Joyce: Everything at Hand” showcases new forged iron sculptures, photography, video, installations, and charred drawings by this acclaimed Santa Fe blacksmith-turned-artist. Trained in El Rito, Joyce pioneers iron forging, probing its historical, environmental, and political roles. His monumental works incorporate industrial remnants, once vital to governments, militaries, and corporations. With studios in Santa Fe and Brussels, he lectures globally and exhibits in Finland, Wales, Paris, Germany, Mexico, and Moscow. A MacArthur Fellow, he's in the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. On view through December 31, 2017.
“Tom Joyce: Everything at Hand” at CCA through December 31, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
Ghostly spirits await at this October Halloween event. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
Halloween beckons with spirits from New Mexico's past at the inaugural “Spirits of New Mexico's Past” festival at Rancho de las Golondrinas (Saturday, October 28, 2017, 5-8 p.m.). Gather under starry skies by luminarias (bonfires) for biscochitos, hot cider, and hard cider. Inside, costumed ghosts share tales of bygone eras at this living history museum—perfect prep for All Hallows’ Eve.
Ghosts evoke life baking in traditional hornos. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe County)
Plan your Santa Fe fall getaway to savor these highlights. Order the free [blog_link url="https://santafe.org/Visitors_Guide" text="2017 Santa Fe Travel Guide" date=2017=10-17"]. Check [blog_link url="https://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Specials/” text="Deals and Specials" date="2017-10-17"], for lodging, dining, and shopping offers.
This blog was written in partnership with [blog_link url="https://santafe.org/" text="TOURISM Santa Fe" date="2017-10-17] and [blog_link url="https://santafenmtrue.com/” text="Santa Fe County" date="2017-10-17"]
