¡Viva Santa Fe! Discover September's Vibrant Events in The City Different
Join us this September for a celebration of Santa Fe's rich traditions, culture, music, and more. The City Different hosts a colorful array of events tailored for visitors and locals alike.
Santa Fe invites everyone to experience the unique blend of its storied past and lively present through ¡Viva Santa Fe!—a month-long festival showcasing live music, dancing, art, parades, outdoor adventures, and world-renowned cuisine for all ages.
¡Viva Santa Fe! translates to "Long Live Santa Fe!" or "Living Santa Fe." When cheers of "¡Qué Viva!" echo through the streets, it signals the return of this citywide extravaganza honoring Santa Fe's history and culture. Here are top events to ignite your September spirit:
Meet Zozobra: The Fire Distinguisher
Get ready for Santa Fe’s hottest party! The Original Burning Man goes up in flames on September 2. (Photo courtesy of The Burning of Zozobra)
Burning of Zozobra is a highlight of the Santa Fe calendar. The 92nd annual burning occurs Friday, September 2, at Fort Marcy Park. This 50-foot, 2,000-pound marionette, known as “Old Man Gloom,” is filled with divorce papers, bankruptcy filings, tax receipts, and other symbols of stress. Torches ignite Zozobra amid fireworks and ghostly dances, banishing the year's gloom. It's the perfect reset everyone needs.
Autumn Ride
Take an upper-level tour of the mountainside on the Ski Santa Fe scenic chair lift service. (Photo courtesy of Ski Santa Fe)
Experience an autumn chairlift ride in Santa Fe before the first snow. Ski Santa Fe operates its Super Chief quad chairlift on weekends from Labor Day, September 3, through September 24. Enjoy a leisurely ascent into the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
¡Qué Viva La Fiesta de Santa Fe!
Nothing says Santa Fe Fiesta like folkloric dances on the historic Santa Fe Plaza! (Photo courtesy of H.L. Lovato)
As autumn arrives with the green chile harvest, join the three-day Fiesta de Santa Fe from September 9–11, commemorating the Spanish resettlement in 1692. Highlights include the Arts and Crafts Market, Desfile de los Niños (Children's Pet Parade) at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the Historical/Hysterical Parade at 1 p.m.
Do Fries Come With That Green Chile Cheeseburger?
Who will be the reigning champ this year? (Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe)
Santa Fe perfects the green chile cheeseburger. Edible Santa Fe hosts the 4th Annual Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown on September 9 at the Santa Fe Railyard. Top chefs compete; fans vote online to select finalists. Sample and vote for your favorite.
Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon
The Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon course guides runners through beautiful Northern New Mexican landscapes. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon)
The sixth annual Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon draws runners on September 18. The USATF-certified, net-1,000-foot downhill course starts at Fort Marcy Park, follows the Old Taos Highway, and ends at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, with stunning mountain views and live entertainment.
Take A Trip Into Renaissance Time
You’ll be awed by Clan Tynker’s feats of magic and musical mayhem. (Photo courtesy of Rancho de las Golondrinas)
Step back in time at the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair on September 17–18 at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Enjoy jousting, fairies, costume contests, jugglers, games, crafts, and food in a living history museum.
A Week of Food and Wine? You Bet!
Now in its 26th year, the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta draws visitors from around the country. (Photo courtesy of Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta)
The 26th Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta runs September 18–25 at the Santa Fe Opera. Indulge in tastings, seminars, demos, and wine dinners. Don't miss the Grand Tasting.
View Rare and Exotic Cars, Motorcycles, and Bicycles
Come celebrate "mechanical motion" at Santa Fe Concorso.
The 2016 Santa Fe Concorso showcases over 110 rare vehicles September 23–25 at The Club at Las Campanas. Features seminars, tours, and a judged exhibition.
“¡Viva Santa Fe!” happens once a year, celebrating our culture, history, and adventure. Plan your trip with our free 2016 Santa Fe travel guide and check Deals and Specials. For Labor Day ideas, read Five Santa Fe Events To Set Fire to Your Labor Day Weekend Getaway.
